Heroes, Commies and the American Face: A Commentary on “Red Dawn 2010″
Way back in 1984, amidst the triple threat of Cold War “Commies,” nuclear weapons and lingering unemployment, Hollywood alchemized national fears with the propagandistic blockbuster film, “Red Dawn.” Part action thriller, part coming-of-age story, Red Dawn depicts a surprise Russian-Cuban invasion that would drown the American midwest in its own children’s blood if it were not for a few teenagers-turned-guerrilla fighters (Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen) who eventually save the day. If you have never seen this movie, I can assure you that it is probably not worth sacrificing 114 minutes of your life for. That stated, “Red Dawn” has found its place in cinematic history as the “most violent film” by the Guinness Book of World Records at the time of its release and #15 on a list of “Best Conservative Movies” by National Review. And, its panic-drenched appeal has not been lost on the screenwriters and producers of today- a revamped version is slated to arrive at a theater near you in November, 2010. But, we’re not scared of the Cold War-era “Commies” anymore. So Hollywood has recast a new villain to better reflect the times- “the Chinese.”
Yes, that’s right. The Chinese will be playing a starring role as enemy of Anytown, USA with their buddies the Russians and once again, the heroes are teen heartthrobs (Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck and Josh Hutcherson). In a recent MTV interview, Hutcherson explains that:
“we’ve changed quite a bit of the story, but the heart of the story is there. The American, patriotic feel of the original, rising up against the invaders, is still definitely there. The Chinese are invading now, so we’re switching that up just to stay with the times a little bit. It was really exciting; just blowing up things and shooting guns all day was quite an amazing experience.”
Source: MTV Movies Blog
As described on the internet movie database IMDB:
A group of teenagers look to save their town from an invasion of Chinese and Russian soldiers…
With the town completely overrun by the enemy, Matt and Jed watch helplessly as their father gives up his life to protect his family, allowing his sons to escape into the Cascade mountains. Determined to fight for their community and rescue what’s left of their hometown, the brothers assemble a ragtag group of high school students and begin to fight back. Being a war hero, Jed is able to train this unlikely group of heroes the same way that he was trained. Soon they are transformed into sharp shooting, camouflaged, freedom fighters. Known as the “Wolverines” (after Matt’s football team), the group soon becomes a national symbol for the resistance and the hope of Americans everywhere. What this enemy didn’t realize is that what makes the U.S. great is not the size of its military, but rather the men and women who wear the uniform and the communities they come from.
Source: IMDB.com
As you might imagine, I was a bit upset after learning about China’s leading role in “Red Dawn 2010.” But it’s just a movie, right? Not really. With our economy in the tank, our jobs being shipped overseas, and a barrage of news reports on Chinese tainted drywall, starving tigers and cyber-spies, you can bet that a significant number of Americans are not keen on China these days. However, America’s ties to China bear no resemblance to the Russian-US relationship during the Cold War era. China is creditor to American debt and Walmart’s biggest trading partner. China holds both US treasury securities and American dreams (because if you can’t get a job in America, why not try China?) And, in an age of globalization and unparalleled interdependency, can we even afford to use the word “enemy” when referring to nations? According to the writers and producers of “Red Dawn 2010,” we can.
(This short video shot during filming in Pontiac, Michigan is set to the tune, “Know Your Enemy” and was originally posted on the “unofficial website,” www.reddawn2010.com.)
In my opinion, “Red Dawn 2010” is not just a movie. It is reckless propaganda, outdated and uninformed, which serves to undermine the already fragile US-China relationship and positive diplomatic efforts made over the past few years. It shouts, “to heck with moving forward. Screw the future. Let’s resurrect the past instead.” It’s not art, it’s xenophobia. Most of all, it is one more piece in an assemblage of the modern American “face,”- the face we show to the rest of the world. It’s shameful.
But, what does China have to say about Red Dawn’s (赤色黎明) upcoming release? Here’s a translation of one take:
The remake of Red Dawn indicates that China has caused anxiety. Because of the strong yuan, China is becoming a larger part of American awareness. It shall strengthen this viewpoint of the people: for the United States, China is not merely a future opponent, but also China’s economic and military strength is now quickly catching up with the United States.
There is an English expression: “be careful what you ask for” and in Chinese the same applies.
I, for one, will skip this film. I do wonder, however, how many US dollars were spent on Chinese products for the set.
What do you think about the re-release of “Red Dawn?” What effect will it have on US-China relations? On American sentiment about the Chinese? Have your say in the comments section.
George Orwell teaches in 1984 that constant warfare with perpetual enemies must needs occur or citizens–otherwise distracted by blaring fear-mongering reports–will embark upon self-criticism. The issue is that the USA needs to recognize that its truest enemy, the enemy with the greatest kill-power, is itself and its willingness to distract itself from the extremely difficult task of regeneration. Red Dawn then is just another expression of shadow boxing; a blame-game gambit with no more value than the size of its wake. Mark this date, see if this film resonates sufficiently well to cause another blog.
Perhaps, the USA, for whatever perverse rationale, can take comfort in knowing that its relatively recent invasion of China, i.e. the advent of capitalism with Chinese characteristics, succeeded beyond their wildest expectation. For every Chinese tree slaughtered, for every ground desecrated, for every bit of air polluted for the express purpose of sustaining an automobile-based culture, USA citizens may take heart in knowing that they are not alone in their self-destructive, mad pursuit of hell. Yes, the movie got it all wrong! It is China that was invaded by the USA and its materialistic cohorts. It is China that is at risk!
Facts apparently so stupid such as that movie are the fuels to the xenophobia and prejudice. The West always considers itself tolerant and rational and etc. and etc., in other words, so superior in comparison to non western people. Obviously that who disagrees with this core idea, will be labeled as a radical intolerant that wanna destroy the marvelous western way of life. Right?
Yes, everything bad is America’s fault. Good observation. Deng should be drawn and quartered for opening the door. If only the Gang of Four had triumphed China would have remained pure and unpolluted. Red Guards would still be killing their school teachers and living as they should, in poverty and ignorance.
Sorry Aimee, this kind of comment annoys me.
@Mao Ruiqi
“George Orwell teaches in 1984 that constant warfare with perpetual enemies must needs occur or citizens–otherwise distracted by blaring fear-mongering reports–will embark upon self-criticism.”
Of course, that ONLY applies to the US….or is there another country that teaches its citizens that “we are surrounded by enemies, etc”…? And if so, why would they try to keep their citizenry so distracted…?
The release of Red Dawn shouldn’t mean anything but it most certainly will. To many of the people I have met in China, what they see through film and television literally defines their perception of the country that film or t.v show came from. I’ve spent a lot of time explaining the satire, exaggerations, and generalizations found in American films and television to Chinese people who would have otherwise taken it as fact.
This movie will surely effect peoples perceptions on both sides and I know I will be discussing it with my Chinese friends in the future.
Ultimately though I think that if people want to accept generalizations, relate a film to a ‘country’s thoughts’ or relate a film to a country’s government that’s their problem.
Nice blog, will be coming back soon.
Sorry Aimee, I fall squarely in the “doesn’t take his entertainment too seriously unless it’s a documentary or non-fiction” camp. Why not make a movie about a possible future (albeit an incredibly remote possibility because an invasion with a goal of forced annexation is all but impossible to achieve) where China invades the US? Yes… I do know two colonels who embarrassingly admit that they went to West Point in part because of Red Dawn, and they spent their years there singing running cadences about killing Ruskies… But what’s the harm? They grew up, albeit eventually. The original was over the top, unrealistic, completely implausible, and a helluva lot of fun. Why can’t a movie about a fictional US-China war be the same?
Also, let’s not forget that the big movie studios are having a hard time making (as much) money these days, and their stated business plans are to use franchises and tested properties. I didn’t see Red Dawn until my mid-’20s, and many people (i.e., 18-35 males, THE demographic) were flabbergasted that I hadn’t seen one of the favorite movies of their childhood.
Red Dawn 2010′s about making money, pure and simple. Those who are actually politically offended by it belong in the same camp as those who are politically effected by it. It’s just tasteless entertainment… At least we know enough about Chinese weapons systems that Red Dawn 2010 won’t have horribly inaccurate props such as Red Dawn’s laughable Mi-24. Even Rambo 2′s was better.
The movie is going to be EPIC!
am very worried about all the 愤青s，小皇帝s, 红段子博客s, 第四 crazy 医院人， are going to grab some 外人 and beat the shit out of him/her。
remember Carrefour incident
Dalai Lama visits,
the Belgrade bombing,
jet figher collision,
am telling you its going to be “art imitating life”
It has happened before, will not happen again!
So yes, this movie will affect relations,
and yes, we will ALL behave
小心吧！
nationalism is a bitch!
五毛党万岁！
Great points made. Some commentors are missing the point; the writer is not defending all of China’s actions thorughout history, obviously. This post is about a ridiculous movie, and not about how America is terrible and China is the best. (Are you reading the article?)
I’d hope most people realise that Red Dawn (is this a real movie?) looks like straight up propaganda, and cheap, uncreative propaganda at that. If this were an anti-American movie made by China, it would be terrible too. Nationalism is bad, always.
The vitriol some Americans have towards China can be shocking.
As a currency trader, I can tell you that starving tigers and lead paint on toys is not the issue. The issue is the Chinese economic practice of mercantilism (it’s definitely worth looking up mercantilism in Wikipedia so you understand China’s primary economic strategy; one they are pursuing openly). Mercantilism is about domination, and that IS scary.
Contrary to what is stated in this blog, the Chinese yuan is not strong. It is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate making it ~40% cheaper than it should be if it were allowed to rise in a free market. That makes Chinese goods 40% cheaper than they should be and fuels a massive trade imablance between China and the US (because it also makes our goods 40% MORE expensive for the Chinese to buy). Economists estimate this is costing the US between 1 and 2 million jobs that would not otherwise be lost if the yuan were traded fairly. Unfair loss of American jobs, I think that’s the root of what’s upsetting people…
That said, I am very concerned about xenophobia and extreme nationalism on both sides. Having lived in Shanghai for a few months and being currently married to a Chinese born American, I have definitely seen a rising sense of pride/nationalism coming out of China. I was asked several times in Shanghai by locals if I was “scared of China yet.” The answer is yes.
And if a liberal democrat like myself feels scared, I can’t imagine how Americans in the mid-west feel. If this movie does a good job of tapping into that fear then this movie is going to break box office records.
Great observation, Aimee. Especially your comment ‘reckless propaganda’. This is NOT just a movie. Those who choose to hide behind that facile notion need to educate themselves. If a ‘movie’ was just a ‘movie’ and nothing more then why would the Penta-goon and the CIA jump into bed with certain elements of Hollywood…?
The answer? Because they know that a ‘movie’ is MORE than just a ‘movie’..
@Larson – In support of what you’re saying there is a good book by Ian Bremmer called “The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and Corporations?” in which he discusses the parallels between mercantilism and state capitalism. (Same thing and it is indeed war).
It is more than simple entertainment and Hollywood understands all to well the power of the movie medium in influencing thought within the American public but as MaiQiang points out the Chinese public are a far more gullible and literal population. I’ll bet that we’ll see more of these types of movies in the future.
yes the history has change through all these years, at the beginning all this conflict was used to create rumors and misunderstandings between this two nations.