The film “Don’t Look Up” is full of comments on the current societal and political atmosphere.
Characters take the mickey out of current governments and the science denial and greenwashing they practice. Furthermore the film criticises the media and its dishonesty.
But one of its most important critiques is directed at the simple citizens. The population’s lack of political engagement and wish for entertainment is called out viciously. Luckily most viewers appreciate this heavy-handed style, giving it a 7.8 on Rotten Tomatoes, and (hopefully) take its messages to heart.
It’s vital that audiences continue to appreciate political satire, because it’s a key to democracy. I’d like to quote Patrick Chappatte, who was a cartoonist for the New York Times before the newspaper stopped all of its cartoons. “Let us not become our own censors in the name of political correctness. We need to stand up, we need to push back, because if we don’t, we will wake up tomorrow in a sanitized world, where any form of satire and political cartooning becomes impossible. Because, when political pressure meets political correctness, freedom of speech perishes.”
Films like these are vital for democracy. And it heartens me to see that this film impacted so many viewers.
Cartoon by Andrea O.
Comment by Sur(e)ly Silent
Helpful links:
https://ted2srt.org/talks/patrick_chappatte_a_free_world_needs_satire
