Sequel?

Over-arching themes presented in Countdown to Zero bear little difference from those in the 2004 film Team America: World Police. The major difference appears to be that the producers of CTZ didn't understand the sardonic nature of Team America's presentation. Instead CTZ has run full steam ahead with an Islamophobic and reactionary film that demonizes North Korea, Iran, and others, while mostly extolling the US as a responsible nation, the fount of progress.

Check out these two clips. Note symbols and imagery used to depict Muslims and non-European peoples in each? [double click on the links to view in new window, full size.]

I posted an essay today on the new film, Countdown to Zero, only to find that another critic has basically reached the same conclusion: it's dangerous, fear mongering, Islamophobic propaganda. It focuses only on a select few "nuclear threats," ones that allow for a more aggressive set of US policies against Iran and other nations.

Nevertheless, rational responses to Countdown based on its likely political effects and the ways it will be used to both legitimate US nuclear weapons and attack other nations that might acquire them will probably be drowned out in most discussions about the film. This isn't going to foster more informed public debates about the role of American power in the world. Instead, it's going to whip up fear and enable those who would further enable American nuclear-armed empire.

For those who go see it, I urge you to recognize (1) what's not discussed in the film, (2) how the "nuclear threat" is defined and framed, (3) which nations aren't criticized, or how criticisms differ, and (4) what kinds of solutions are proposed.

Mostly I urge people to boycott the film and educate others about its flaws.