That's right folks, just ask our friends from Peru and Russia, Indy IV is a film that keeps the stereotyping in Hollywood alive and well. Sadly, for most Hollywood types, the world consists of the US surrounded by a vast, nebulous mystery-land. I know, I know... this subject matter here has already been discussed here and elsewhere on the net. But my topic deals with something in particular...
Now first let me say that I love Indy IV. It's my personal favorite after Raiders. Yes, I liked it even better than Temple and Last Crusade. But my beef with the film is in regards to those dang chickens that ?adorn? the streets of Cusco.
It's no secret. Hollywood absolutely loves to portrays Latin American countries as places where chickens run wild, without a care in the world. They have this belief that chickens on the loose add a lot of that ?atmosphere? that says ?gringo, you're not in Kansas anymore. You're in the third world now!?
But such logic behind that imagery doesn't convince me. What it says to me is this: Hollywood writers believe that chickens in Latin America are like the sacred cows in India. That they can somehow walk the freakin' Earth untouched.
I dunno... If the native people seen in all those movies were as dirt poor as they are portrayed, those dang chickens wouldn't last 2 seconds on the streets and would end up on a frying pan. I'm pretty sure most humans living South of the border know that them chickens make for some mighty good eatin'.
I've been to quite a few Latin American countries in my life. I've been to Mexico, Central America and Argentina. And I'm not talking about just walking around in the touristy areas. But also in the very poor areas. Sure, some of the people living in the rural areas have their chickens walking freely about in their modest homes... but the critters are always kept behind a fence of some sort. NEVER have I seen chickens moving about freely on the streets. I did see a lot of stray dogs, though. Incredibly hungry dogs with their bones protruding from their bodies. I wonder how long a chicken would last living in such streets.
Anyhoo... I just had to slap my forehead when I saw that scene in Indy IV where Indy and Mutt walk around in what is supposed to be the imaginary Nazca Airport. Let see... You have the Regional Mexican music blasting in the background (In Peru? Yeah it doesn't make sense.. but then again most Americans think Mexico is the source of every hispanic and latino on Earth). Check. The men with sombreros with dirty faces. Check. Vehicles full of people riding with their animals. Check. Oh yes, those darn chickens running wild again. Perfect!
I know it's just a movie... but the Indiana Jones films aren't just any old type of flicks. They get seen by billions and billions of people (as Carl Sagan would say
).
And the fact that the TV series actually tried to be accurate with the way they handled history, made me believe that unlike the other films Indy IV would at least be equally respectful, fair and accurate as the series was (for the most part).
As it is, Indy IV makes for a great popcorn movie. Just not a good teaching tool to make kids learn about history or archeology... or how to take good care of chickens.
Okay, that was my rant... don't like me rantin'? Go fluff some couch pillows.
Peace!
Now first let me say that I love Indy IV. It's my personal favorite after Raiders. Yes, I liked it even better than Temple and Last Crusade. But my beef with the film is in regards to those dang chickens that ?adorn? the streets of Cusco.
It's no secret. Hollywood absolutely loves to portrays Latin American countries as places where chickens run wild, without a care in the world. They have this belief that chickens on the loose add a lot of that ?atmosphere? that says ?gringo, you're not in Kansas anymore. You're in the third world now!?
But such logic behind that imagery doesn't convince me. What it says to me is this: Hollywood writers believe that chickens in Latin America are like the sacred cows in India. That they can somehow walk the freakin' Earth untouched.
I dunno... If the native people seen in all those movies were as dirt poor as they are portrayed, those dang chickens wouldn't last 2 seconds on the streets and would end up on a frying pan. I'm pretty sure most humans living South of the border know that them chickens make for some mighty good eatin'.
I've been to quite a few Latin American countries in my life. I've been to Mexico, Central America and Argentina. And I'm not talking about just walking around in the touristy areas. But also in the very poor areas. Sure, some of the people living in the rural areas have their chickens walking freely about in their modest homes... but the critters are always kept behind a fence of some sort. NEVER have I seen chickens moving about freely on the streets. I did see a lot of stray dogs, though. Incredibly hungry dogs with their bones protruding from their bodies. I wonder how long a chicken would last living in such streets.
Anyhoo... I just had to slap my forehead when I saw that scene in Indy IV where Indy and Mutt walk around in what is supposed to be the imaginary Nazca Airport. Let see... You have the Regional Mexican music blasting in the background (In Peru? Yeah it doesn't make sense.. but then again most Americans think Mexico is the source of every hispanic and latino on Earth). Check. The men with sombreros with dirty faces. Check. Vehicles full of people riding with their animals. Check. Oh yes, those darn chickens running wild again. Perfect!
I know it's just a movie... but the Indiana Jones films aren't just any old type of flicks. They get seen by billions and billions of people (as Carl Sagan would say
). And the fact that the TV series actually tried to be accurate with the way they handled history, made me believe that unlike the other films Indy IV would at least be equally respectful, fair and accurate as the series was (for the most part).
As it is, Indy IV makes for a great popcorn movie. Just not a good teaching tool to make kids learn about history or archeology... or how to take good care of chickens.
Okay, that was my rant... don't like me rantin'? Go fluff some couch pillows.
Peace!
