Ukranian Invasion, Atomic Weaponry
Eastern Promises New Yorker June 19, 2023
I decided upon the article “Eastern Promises” by Keith Gessen because of the political connection to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a war in the middle of Europe which was thought to belong only to the past.
The article gives the reader a glimpse into the recent history of the relationship between Russia and the US. To briefly summaries, the article starts off with the end of the Cold War, which for Russia comes hand in hand with a loss of power and a long, simmering conflict with NATO, followed by the collapse of the USSR. Gessen weaves in an abbreviated biography of Putin and finishes with an analysis of the actions that might have led to an outcome other than the invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022.
The article was very interesting. I found it to be very long but still think that it is an appropriate length for this topic. However, I think that for me or rather for us this an especially important thing being European(s). Personally, I am fascinated by politics, ethics, philosophical matters, and the sorts.
On to another interest of mine: being a movie critic.
Barbie vs. Oppenheimer
Barbie is a visually sensational movie, but it is also highly educational and political.
In the beginning the Barbies have the power in Barbieland, which is sort of an alternate reality. The Kens are more or less accessories and dependent on the Barbies´ favorability. But one Barbie and a Ken travel to the real world.
There, Ken realizes that men can also have power and be respected. He travels back, convinces the other Kens, and they somehow manage to install a patriarchy.
When Barbie comes back, she is shocked and wants to overthrow the patriarchy. She gives all the brainwashed Barbies a crash course in feminism which makes them remember their life before being Barbies. They distract the men and install matriarchy again through an election.
In my opinion, the movie is downplaying gender relations, because the plot would be easily shuttled by some morality and education. This is called over-politicized choice feminism. The effect that certain powers would have on the decisions are just faded out.
The movie Oppenheimer starts off with excerpts from the life story of the scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Firstly, his studies are mentioned, followed by romances and work. The most riveting life change occurs when he is asked to head the secretive Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Manhattan Project culminated in the creation and testing of the world’s first atomic bomb. Oppenheimer openly expresses concerns about the atomic bomb. In the end of the movie, Oppenheimer is interrogated by the McCarthy Commission and accused of treason.
The movie drives home the fact that the creation of an atomic weapon changed the worlds political order forever. The movie keeps a certain moral and emotional distance while reviewing the vagaries of military conflict and the constraints imposed by political power games. The movie is supposed to provoke people’s thoughts about whether the decisions that were made are right or wrong, to learn from mistakes and to educate but it is impossible to avoid hopelessness among the viewers.
Barbie and Oppenheimer are completely different movies. Barbie is a colorful and overloaded comedy and Oppenheimer a serious brown, gray biopic. According to polls Barbie was mainly watched by younger female and Oppenheimer by older male viewers.
I think what both of the movies have in common although they deal with a completely different subject is that you leave the cinema with hopelessness. Hopelessness, because it shows the inevitable reality and brokenness of our world.
Sophia Deimel
2023 Slack Farms Intern