Opinion: Jackson Hole Film Fest, mixing art and politics

1st- They announced that cooperation with the UN in February. It was "recent" and you should have been astonished then, not June. 2nd- You are under the perception that our federal and local governments don’t already use the media to forward their political policies? I would much prefer an organization that is supposedly dedicated international organization, aid, and diplomacy using our arts and entertainment than our current administration. World Bank, UN, IMF, you name it, have sticky leadership problems and major corruption issues. Many times they end up supporting really bad leaders because those leaders have made the situation impoverished for their people. But if they didn’t exist, we would be clamoring for their creation, because the third world is not a pretty place. 3rd- When you called the JHFF and asked how much input the UN had in film selection, and how many films the UN representative denied or allowed, did they give you an actual percentage, or just leave you with the impression that it was heavily influenced. 4th- While I am all for rotting my brain in front of the many films Hollywood spoon feeds us and we pay $10 a pop for (I think this week we have Zohan, Incredible Hulk, Indiana Jones, Sex and the City), are you serious saying that getting the world program and global insight films, which may or may not be chosen along the guidelines of a message decided upon with the UN is a bad thing? I don’t know how much input, if ANY, UN reps put into that message, but the JHFF mandate provides a unique view of films that may not get much press in other places because they may not be commercial enough for other festivals. And these films may work well along with UN agenda, so it may be a good fit for both. 5th- Please sight your source for editorial input and story selection. You are talking major conspiracy. Most of the film makers are trying to first do what they love, second feed themselves, and third do something meaningful. If you want to pick a real fight, go after the major media outlets, and their coverage of those stories you cited. It’s like the meth commercials on TV, they work because the scare us, and we generally don’t have enough time to change the channel before the meth afflicted teenager shows up. Whenever the nightly news shows Darfur, we can always turn it back to “Three’s Company”, or, in Jackson, just go for a hike and ignore it. Finally, I would like to know if you interviewed anyone or put your assertions to anyone at the JHFF. The article reeks of libertarian thought stewing inside an individuals head without the check and balance of reality, small film festival economic reality, or outside opinion.
Will

Will, first, this IS an opinion piece. Last I checked opinion it is still covered under the First Amendment. Next, the UN created this film/entertainment division to do exactly that, to influence and use the entertainment industry to improve their perception here in the U.S. (like anyone cares.) The partnership isn't about promoting and creating films about poor kids in third world countries, it's all about painting the U.N. in a better light. This is propaganda at it's finest moment and it's unfortunate that the liberal entertainment industry is a willing partner. It is widely reported that the U.N. is mired in corruption (food for oil, abuses by peacekeepers, and intimidation by member states) so Bob was not out of line to mention these blemishes. I also feel Bob is correct in his assumption that it is not a the kind of relationship we want our film industry to be in. I'll take the Hulk over U.N. propaganda any day.
JH's Hulk