MovieChat Forums > Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (2012) Discussion > wait... no topics about this either???

wait... no topics about this either???

posted 11 years ago by dutchchocolatecake
1 reply | jump to latest

Don't get me wrong, Cirque du Soleil "Worlds Away" is the most imaginative, creative, talented, beautiful, and absolutely stunning works of art I have ever seen. The acting and overall performance was superb.

But I don't feel I can write a positive review before finding out what in the world they were thinking when they put a white-robed, pointed hooded character in one of the acts. It looks like a KKK member. I tried to put it out of my mind and enjoy the rest of the movie, but it was just too distracting.

I'd like to think that they are doing a parody, or that it was just a weird coincidental costume design mistake that means nothing. Did I miss something? Is there some nonverbal communication in their dance that I just *didn't get*? And if they were doing a parody of a KKK member, ok fine, but do something like put purple polka dots or something. It would certainly blend into the circus scene.

I dunno, I'm pretty perplexed and disturbed by this. Anyone want to weigh in on this?

[–] Mr_Spiffy 10 years ago

Remember that Cirque du Soleil is French Canadian group. Their cultural symbols may not necessarily reflect our own. For example, the swastika, which is ingrained as our minds as the symbol of Naziism and the corresponding Holocaust, has a very different meaning to other cultures. I'm quoting Wikipedia here, and I know they're not 100% reliable due its format, but bear with me. "The swastika is a [sic] historical sacred symbol both to evoke 'Shakti' in tantric rituals and evoke the gods for blessings in Indian religions."

So too can this be applied to the robes that Americans equate with the KKK. This style of robe can also be connected with certain Spanish religious sects. "A capirote is a pointed hat of conical form that is used in Spain. It is part of the uniform of some brotherhoods including the Nazarenos and "Phariseos" (see Holy Week in Seville) during Easter observances and reenactments in some areas of Spain."