As a lifelong cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the works of Stanley Kubrick, it pains me deeply to see one of his most profound and powerful films being twisted into propaganda by none other than the Trump campaign. “Full Metal Jacket” is a haunting and unflinching portrayal of the devastating impact of war on individuals and societies, and its use as a tool for promoting militarism is nothing short of sacrilege.
The critically acclaimed Stanley Kubrick film, titled Full Metal Jacket, which explores the Vietnam War, is generating debate following reports that a presidential campaign utilized scenes from it for a political advertisement. Actor Matthew Modine, who was part of the movie, has openly criticized the campaign’s use of Kubrick’s work, stating it misrepresents Full Metal Jacket‘s powerful anti-war message. In an unexpected turn, Vivian Kubrick, the late director’s daughter, expressed her support for the former president on social media, claiming that using the movie can aid in promoting the cause of liberty.
Portions of the 1987 psychological war drama film, Full Metal Jacket, are now showing up at Trump rallies. These segments showcase the harsh and sometimes racist language of R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, a Marine character tasked with training recruits including Private Joker (played by Matthew Modine). In sharp contrast to these clips, there are also videos depicting soldiers turning into dancing drag queens. The implied message here is that Trump favors the military culture depicted in Full Metal Jacket. This is reinforced by a final scene from the film where recruits are marching before being deployed to Vietnam, accompanied by the caption: “Make our Military Great Again.
The Trump campaign’s choice to employ clips from “Full Metal Jacket” for military promotion has sparked a range of responses among those most connected to the film. As the complex hero of “Full Metal Jacket,” Modine voiced only disapproval, expressing his views (via Entertainment Weekly):
In the 1930s, Leni Riefenstahl produced the Nazi propaganda films ‘Triumph of the Will’ and ‘Olympia’. These movies are often cited as some of the most potent propaganda ever created. Riefenstahl consistently claimed ignorance about the Holocaust, frequently using the argument that it was impossible to know such events. Sadly, Trump has taken Kubrick’s strong anti-war film and turned it into a twisted, hateful, and manipulative piece of propaganda, distorting its original message and intent.
A Critically Acclaimed Anti-War Movie Used to Promote War
Instead, Vivian Kubrick, Kubrick’s daughter, expressed approval towards X, stating, “Should the footage from FMJ aid Trump in emphasizing the necessity of well-trained, extremely tough, focused, and dedicated soldiers for the US military, rather than fostering the demoralizing influence of ‘woke-ism’ or attracting individuals to enlist due to financial assistance for gender reassignment, then I endorse his actions. If Kubrick were alive today, he too would likely support Trump.
Upon watching the Trump campaign’s video, numerous users expressed doubt about whether Trump or his supporters had ever watched “Full Metal Jacket.” User @RealJakeBroe questioned if they had even seen the movie, suggesting that perhaps they misunderstood its plot, particularly this scene where a drill sergeant’s psychological abuse led to a tragic murder-suicide. Given that the film is renowned for its raw portrayal of war and military life, raising complex moral and ethical questions about the price of violence, it appears quite different from the glorified depiction of war suggested in Trump’s video. In essence, “Full Metal Jacket” is not a simplistic movie; instead, it starkly illustrates the harsh reality of the U.S. military training regime, which the Trump campaign aims to re-establish.
In a slightly different wording, other users found it ironic that a Vietnam War film was utilized to reinforce a powerful military stance, as @Rturcato83 commented, “It might be more beneficial to watch the movie and grasp its meaning.” However, it’s important to note that the Vietnam War wasn’t a triumph for the United States, and the harsh consequences of that conflict persist even today. To many viewers, the Trump campaign’s video is distasteful due to multiple reasons, but with Vivian Kubrick’s backing, it seems unlikely to be removed soon.
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2024-10-16 15:32