Turner Classic Movies Response To Cancel Culture

[Grant Jennings]

Turner Classic Movies has started a series called Reframed: Classics in the Rearview Mirror Spotlight which features a discussion prior to airing classic films. The intent is to put the films in context for modern viewers. Judging from the comments on Youtube, many see this as a "slippery slope" toward censorship. I don't agree. While I personally don't feel I need this as I am capable of putting these films in context myself, I have worked with many millennials who I think would benefit greatly from this. The hosts on TCM frequently discuss the making of films, the history of the movie studios and biographical information about actors and other movie makers; I think this is a logical progression and an appropriate response to current culture and concerns. What do you think?

 

[Toni]

Miss Piggy has kindly declined the offer to participate in this discussion:

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[Willie Oleson]

I think this is a logical progression

I see no reason why it shouldn't be examined and/or discussed.

and an appropriate response to current culture and concerns

But I find it a little unspontaneous that it happens because of that.

Why not being more creative and make a movie about the controversy in classic movies?

 

[Grant Jennings]

I see no reason why it shouldn't be examined and/or discussed.

But I find it a little unspontaneous that it happens because of that.

Why not being more creative and make a movie about the controversy in classic movies?

A documentary is a logical choice. I'm reminded of Vito Russo's The Celluloid Closet about the depiction of gay and lesbian characters in film. But why not a comedy? A satire about a crew remaking a classic movies but during the course of filming there are constant re-writes and re-casts to make the movie acceptable to a modern audience.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Absolutely. It's happening now, DO something with it. Capitalize on a future history before it becomes history (and then everybody will jump on the bandwagon).
Here's an interesting subject, right in front of their greedy noses, but what do they do? Let's remake another blockbuster hit from the 1990s! Yeahhhh

 

[Angela Channing]

It sounds like they are using the films to instigate a conversation about wider issues rather than responding to the "cancel culture".

Looking at some of the films in this series, one that will be discussed is Psycho because of the negative association of transvestitism with insanity and murder. I've never even considered this was a concern so it would be interesting to see what they say on this subject because it might give me a new perspective on a film that I've seen numerous times.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I think a lot of people are all up in arms for no reason. They’re heavily stressing in that video that these movies are not being censored or canceled. It’s just going to be a discussion so we can talk about the issues these movies present looking at it from a modern perspective, which I for one have no problem with.

 

[darkshadows38]

depends on which films they air i guess, there were plenty of films made back than that are considered offensive now i don't think they need to put a warning before them but for those who get mad at certain films etc... sure they need to talk about it. why the hell not ya know?

 

[Crimson]

"Cancel Culture" is a term so nebulous it's almost impossible to discuss; it somehow manages to be something, nothing, and everything at once. But whatever it may or may not be, talking about a work of art/entertainment from a different perspective ain't it. Conversation is the opposite of "cancelling".

 

[Grant Jennings]

It sounds like they are using the films to instigate a conversation about wider issues rather than responding to the "cancel culture".

Looking at some of the films in this series, one that will be discussed is Psycho because of the negative association of transvestitism with insanity and murder. I've never even considered this was a concern so it would be interesting to see what they say on this subject because it might give me a new perspective on a film that I've seen numerous times.

The psychotic killer who is a man that dresses as or identifies as a woman was also a plot device in Dressed To Kill and Silence of the Lambs (and probably several other less well known movies as well as episodes of television police procedurals) so I think it's a trope worth addressing.

 

[darkshadows38]

well said i am already tired of Cancel Culture but sadly it's among our well culture now i do think the important stuff needs to be talked about don't get me wrong, but so much stuff these days are taken way out of context i think and that's why some things get well cancelled when they shouldn't be. oh i'm sure some of it needs to be don't get me wrong but i doubt all of it does again it depends on what it is