Terry Gilliam: Trump Saved Us from Humorless Woke Scolds

by

Terry Gilliam had it all worked out.

During the Biden era, the unconventional director perceived that the wave of enlightenment was suppressing humor and artistic expression. With this topic in mind, he decided to create a film exploring this phenomenon. Notably, no figure within the broader film industry dared to attempt such a satirical production.

He even had a title: “Carnival at the End of Days.”

Subsequently, a particular influential figure in real estate thwarted an assassination attempt and re-entered the White House during the autumn months prior. Yet, how could Gilliam satirize the “awakened thought contagion” when President Donald Trump’s resurgence seemingly extinguished its dying embers?

Despite appearing concerned over the situation of his project, Gilliam appears joyful because President Donald Trump has made it acceptable to laugh once more in America. This sentiment became apparent during an eccentric interview with the 84-year-old icon for The Hollywood Reporter.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself delving into uncharted territories during our recent discussion about humor with Gilliam – veering off course from the typical leftist terrain at THR. (The Hollywood Reporter)

It seems to me that Trump has brought about significant changes, shaking up the status quo. He’s made it more likely that people will feel less intimidated to laugh, rather than fearful. In the past, there have been activists with a narrow, self-righteous perspective who have caused widespread fear, silencing many people who found humor in everyday life. These individuals claimed that making jokes was an act of bullying, but in reality, laughter is a celebration of human nature!

For quite some time now, Gilliam has faced criticism from progressive circles. Notably, this acclaimed director, famous for his collaborations with the British comedy group Monty Python, was denied an attractive opportunity at the Old Vic Theatre in London due to allegations concerning past statements he made.

Previously, he expressed his sentiment by stating that he felt “weary of the constant accusations against white men for all global issues.” Furthermore, he boldly suggested watching Dave Chappelle’s Netflix comedy special titled “The Closer,” which includes humor centered around the transgender community.

In 2020, the progressive Independent magazine criticized the nonconformist Gilliam, advising him to “mature” or “act more responsibly.

Terry provided additional details on the project to The Left-Leaning Deadline, offering enticing remarks throughout.

I chose to forego working with agents since they’re generally careful individuals, and I’d already received a warning from someone deeply involved in Hollywood who had read the script and cautioned me: “Keep others in Hollywood from reading this. If they do, you may find it difficult to work again.

He also explains why industry executives weren’t eager to make “Carnival” happen.

In the past couple of years, Hollywood seems to have become quite sensitive, with a strong emphasis on avoiding offense. This climate of fear among executives led me to explore other opportunities.

In recent times, fellow Monty Python veteran John Cleese has adopted a comparable stance against the modern concept of wokeness. He frequently criticizes excessive wokeness, supports comedians expressing their opinions freely, and resists yielding to the demands of those who enforce cancel culture.

Gilliam is quite distinct from those who support the “Make America Great Again” ideology. He harbors doubts about the current global leader, especially regarding immigration policies. In contrast to closed borders, he advocates for a more open border system, similar to England’s approach. According to him, undocumented citizens play a crucial role in our workforce.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been away from the silver screen of America for quite a while now, with no immediate intentions of returning. Yet, I can’t help but believe that Donald Trump’s unique, offbeat approach might just bring about some intriguing outcomes.

As a movie critic, I find myself captivated by an intriguing political drama unfolding on the world stage: Donald Trump and his team have certainly made an impact that is hard to ignore. On one hand, their actions are unprecedented and challenging the status quo, causing unease in many circles. Yet, there’s a peculiar sense that they might just pull off feats that others before them failed to achieve.

To illustrate, let me draw a parallel with Richard Nixon – a president who managed to initiate the rapprochement with China, despite facing his fair share of adversity and skepticism. Trump, too, seems to be treading on uncharted waters, and it remains to be seen if he will ultimately succeed in his unique approach to governance.

In essence, this reviewer is left eagerly awaiting the next act in this captivating political thriller, as the story of Trump’s presidency continues to unfold.

Read More

2025-07-08 22:03