Something convoluted needs explaining.
December 7, 2012 8:20 PM Subscribe
Breaking The Taboo, an ambitious and star-studded critique of the War on Drugs, saw its public premier today via YouTube.
Day-um. They got Morgan Freeman to narrate.
That's, like, the slam-dunk of documentaries right there.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:57 PM on December 7, 2012 [4 favorites]
That's, like, the slam-dunk of documentaries right there.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:57 PM on December 7, 2012 [4 favorites]
It's pretty surprising that there's not a substantive discussion of racialization of the drug war in the film. Michelle Alexander's book is required reading. While rates of drug use among various racial groups are similar, Black and Latino users account for the vast majority of those incarcerated for drug-related offenses.
posted by tarheelcoxn at 9:55 PM on December 7, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by tarheelcoxn at 9:55 PM on December 7, 2012 [2 favorites]
That was terrific. I think this is change that may happen within my lifetime.
posted by codacorolla at 9:57 PM on December 7, 2012
posted by codacorolla at 9:57 PM on December 7, 2012
Thanks for posting this. The documentary, and the press it's been getting, has been great. Here are a few other news clips:
Kate Winslet pulls her name from the film
ABC News on Sam Branson
Richard Branson and Ethan Nadelmann on BBC TV
Rolling Stone coverage
posted by gingerbeer at 9:57 PM on December 7, 2012
Kate Winslet pulls her name from the film
ABC News on Sam Branson
Richard Branson and Ethan Nadelmann on BBC TV
Rolling Stone coverage
posted by gingerbeer at 9:57 PM on December 7, 2012
From the Kate link:
"Kate Winslet is at the centre of an embarrassing row over drug legalisation, after her name was used to endorse a campaign run by her boyfriend’s uncle, Sir Richard Branson."...
.."A film insider added: ‘There is a very distinct feeling that any suggestion Kate supports the legalisation of drugs would have a very negative impact on her career.’"
I agree it's pretty embarrassing to be so gutless and be more concerned about ones career than the issues discussed in the film.
I get the impression that she supported the film, and her handlers told her she couldn't/shouldn't and made her back away from appearing supportive.
Very embarrassing.
posted by el io at 10:35 PM on December 7, 2012 [10 favorites]
"Kate Winslet is at the centre of an embarrassing row over drug legalisation, after her name was used to endorse a campaign run by her boyfriend’s uncle, Sir Richard Branson."...
.."A film insider added: ‘There is a very distinct feeling that any suggestion Kate supports the legalisation of drugs would have a very negative impact on her career.’"
I agree it's pretty embarrassing to be so gutless and be more concerned about ones career than the issues discussed in the film.
I get the impression that she supported the film, and her handlers told her she couldn't/shouldn't and made her back away from appearing supportive.
Very embarrassing.
posted by el io at 10:35 PM on December 7, 2012 [10 favorites]
It's pretty surprising that there's not a substantive discussion of racialization of the drug war in the film. Michelle Alexander's book is required reading. While rates of drug use among various racial groups are similar, Black and Latino users account for the vast majority of those incarcerated for drug-related offenses.
While agree that it is an issue that SHOULD be adressed in a film like this I am not surprised that it wasn't. To me, this documentary's purpose is to work as an ad almost more than it is to be an in depth exploration of the subject. Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth certainly didn't cover all of the complexities or even the most harrowing and dangerous aspects of current climate policy. One could suggest that that is a failure of the documentary but I think that this film, like An Inconvenient Truth, has the goal of presenting its ideas in a way that will allow for them to go more mainstream and reach the most people. Unfortunately, that means glossing over the racist nature of the war on drugs. Wouldn't want the voters to feel guilty, then they might reflexively defend past political actions. Humans are weird.
posted by sendai sleep master at 10:44 PM on December 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
While agree that it is an issue that SHOULD be adressed in a film like this I am not surprised that it wasn't. To me, this documentary's purpose is to work as an ad almost more than it is to be an in depth exploration of the subject. Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth certainly didn't cover all of the complexities or even the most harrowing and dangerous aspects of current climate policy. One could suggest that that is a failure of the documentary but I think that this film, like An Inconvenient Truth, has the goal of presenting its ideas in a way that will allow for them to go more mainstream and reach the most people. Unfortunately, that means glossing over the racist nature of the war on drugs. Wouldn't want the voters to feel guilty, then they might reflexively defend past political actions. Humans are weird.
posted by sendai sleep master at 10:44 PM on December 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
sendai: it sounds as if you are arguing that both this film, and An Inconvenient Truth are not meant as informative documentaries, but rather blatant propaganda. Which is okay, and I hope it's effective propaganda (instead of just preaching to the choir).
posted by el io at 10:52 PM on December 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by el io at 10:52 PM on December 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
Everything about the film seems calculated to appeal to as broad an audience as possible: non-racialization, Morgan Freeman as the narrator, prominently featuring Obama as continuing failed policies (not that he isn't - but this gives it traction among the right). I'm fine with a cynical approach, if it gets the job done.
posted by codacorolla at 10:54 PM on December 7, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by codacorolla at 10:54 PM on December 7, 2012 [3 favorites]
Yes, el io, that is pretty much what I'm arguing. And, Like you said, I hope it's effective too.
posted by sendai sleep master at 11:04 PM on December 7, 2012
posted by sendai sleep master at 11:04 PM on December 7, 2012
Star-studded? Is this the opposite of Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue?
posted by BiggerJ at 1:12 AM on December 8, 2012
posted by BiggerJ at 1:12 AM on December 8, 2012
Bravo. Really well done. I'm impressed how much they covered in less than an hour.
I especially liked the point made by the guy about 20min. in, the former inmate. He was talking about how easily available drugs are on the inside, and said something to the effect of "If you can't keep them out of a maximum security prison, how do you keep them out of an entire country?"
posted by mannequito at 1:40 AM on December 8, 2012
I especially liked the point made by the guy about 20min. in, the former inmate. He was talking about how easily available drugs are on the inside, and said something to the effect of "If you can't keep them out of a maximum security prison, how do you keep them out of an entire country?"
posted by mannequito at 1:40 AM on December 8, 2012
Day-um. They got Morgan Freeman to narrate.
That's, like, the slam-dunk of documentaries right there.
A while ago, Freeman said he may have given up hard drugs but he still enjoyed his ganja. I ask him if he still smokes a lot. "No. I don't smoke a lot." Ganja, I say. "Oh!" his eyes light up. "Never give up the ganja." He calls it God's own weed and talks of the burning bush.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 2:45 AM on December 8, 2012
That's, like, the slam-dunk of documentaries right there.
A while ago, Freeman said he may have given up hard drugs but he still enjoyed his ganja. I ask him if he still smokes a lot. "No. I don't smoke a lot." Ganja, I say. "Oh!" his eyes light up. "Never give up the ganja." He calls it God's own weed and talks of the burning bush.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 2:45 AM on December 8, 2012
Heh, fearfulsymmetry, I just told my awakening roommate that bit you posted and she replied "That's probably why he's so mellow all the time." ha!
posted by symbioid at 8:40 AM on December 8, 2012
posted by symbioid at 8:40 AM on December 8, 2012
Just another example of a war that the U.S. cannot possibly win. It's like the War on Terrorism--even if it were possible to win (which it is not) how in the world will we know that the war is over?
We will never ever ever wipe out the desire for drugs. The most that we can hope for is to mitigate the collateral damage.
posted by leftcoastbob at 10:24 AM on December 8, 2012
We will never ever ever wipe out the desire for drugs. The most that we can hope for is to mitigate the collateral damage.
posted by leftcoastbob at 10:24 AM on December 8, 2012
edeezy: "See also: The House I Live In"
Yes, definitely go see it. It's in theaters now. I've seen it twice already. It's on the long list for possible Oscar nomination and won the Sundance prize earlier this year.
posted by gingerbeer at 2:30 PM on December 8, 2012
Yes, definitely go see it. It's in theaters now. I've seen it twice already. It's on the long list for possible Oscar nomination and won the Sundance prize earlier this year.
posted by gingerbeer at 2:30 PM on December 8, 2012
Uruguay takes ‘war on drugs’ in new direction: state monopoly over the production and distribution of marijuana
posted by the man of twists and turns at 12:52 PM on December 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by the man of twists and turns at 12:52 PM on December 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
For heaven's sake, it is a one hour documentary. No, it doesn't actually cover every single thing wrong with the failed war on drugs.
posted by gingerbeer at 3:46 PM on December 10, 2012
posted by gingerbeer at 3:46 PM on December 10, 2012
Raiding Consciousness: Why the War on Drugs Is a War on Human Nature
posted by homunculus at 4:18 PM on December 10, 2012
posted by homunculus at 4:18 PM on December 10, 2012
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posted by Drinky Die at 8:36 PM on December 7, 2012 [2 favorites]