Dept. of This and That

[kaffy_r]

Braiinz, Bones and Detritus

It's been a very slow day, largely because BB and I stayed up too late to watched "I Walked With a Zombie" on Turner Classic Movies last night this morning. I suppose I should have gone to bed at 3 a.m. before the rather surprisingly good movie captured my attention.  We staggered to bed at 4 a.m., awakened at 12:30 a.m. and I worked on a story for work for the rest of the afternoon, fighting off extreme achiness while I did. No housework or other tasks done, but I'm not guilt-stricken.

(The movie is really quite good, barring some unpleasant cultural and "benign" racism Fail that sadly seems to Come With the Territory in 1943 movies. And it has some really strikingly creepy, nay, frightening, images, like the one I'll hide under a cut at the bottom. Has anyone else watched the film? What did you think of it?)

Anyhow, since I'm about to take a hot shower and more painkillers before we watched Doctor Who (w00t!!1!), I'll leave you with these two other links.

First, because I'm a fan of rhinos (one of who once upon a metaphorical time ate my nose,  another story entirely from the tale of how he got his skin oh Best Beloved): The Oldest Wooly Rhinocerous Found.

Second, because I am definitely a skiffy geek, a science geek, and an anime geek (a point that is relevant because my love of the series "Planetes" immediately made me think of it when I read the piece — "They need Half-Section!" said I,)  this story: Space Debris at 'Tipping Point.'

And now, off to ablute, get painless and hide behind the sofa.

Oh, right. The Image Under the Cut

Comments

[viomisehunt.livejournal.com]

I recall seeing this movie when I was young and caught some scenes when it came on. I don't know about 'benign' racism as there was no attempt to really understand the faith of the people involved, but there the sense of the people being independent, having their own culture that was not controlled by the white people that was spoke of a spirit of indepedence and rebellion against colonialism--always cool.

[kaffy_r]

The "benign" (in snicker quotes always) racism came from substituting patronizing platitudes about the "sadness" of slavery (the nurse saying, "well at least they brought you to a beautiful place" - and I guess I have to give them credit for the answer one of the islanders gave her: "if you say so, Miss.") for active antipathy. But things like "Well, this Voudon ... it's not like a real religion." or "They're a primitive people. Things that seem natural to them would horrify you." made me grind my teeth.

But you pointed out something I had lost sight of - that the film also showed the African-descended islanders as having an independent culture and a sense of personal independence. I thought about it again, and you're right; none of the non-white characters acted afraid or in awe of the white characters. Thanks for helping me see some of this in at least a little different light.

When you saw the movie when you were younger, did you find it scary or creepy at all? I thought it was much more effective than today's "let's take nine young victims and see how many horrible, bloody ways we can dismember them for the audience" garbage. The shadows, the underplayed music, that sort of thing, was very effective in creeping me out.

[viomisehunt.livejournal.com]

First, when I said there was no benign racism-- I meant that the racism was pretty upfront. However, in most Zombie movies, misunderstanding of Voudon and all-- there is that sense that this is one area where the white colonist could noot control the Community of Color.

And yes, I recall being very frightened, but then I was watching it either on the ABC Shock Theatre or Canadian television. I reconized the name and when I watched the trailer, I recalled seeing it. And it has been on Turner before and I caught part of it. But it is creepy. The Story line was creepy, if recall with the brothers.

[kaffy_r]

I most definitely see what you mean about the racism being upfront. In my books, the "benign" part of it simply means it's racism with a smile, and usually a self-congratulatory pat on the back that translates to "Aren't we oh, so much better than those awful klansmen? We're helping these people."

And the concept that most zombie movies have that uneasiness on the part of white colonists is spot on.

I hadn't realized TCM had this movie until now. I think it's safe to say it's the one zombie movie I'd consider watching again. And, yes, the story line was really rather tragic; two brothers, one of them married to a rotter of a woman and his brother in love with the same woman. Never a recipe for success!