The day HealthCare.Gov went live, I attempted to sign up. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get past the first few pages. After creating multiple log in accounts, I found the biggest the site’s biggest “glitch” - despite my lack of income, I would not be eligible for subsidies or Medicaid. Like many of the uninsured in the state of Louisiana, I was greatly disappointed (and none too surprised) that our Governor, Bobby Jindal, chose not to accept federal funds to expand our state run health insurance program. This leaves people like me in a hole.
Not helping the situation at all, our graceful Senator, David Vitter, announced his intention to run for Governor in 2015.
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Instead of pulling out my hair in frustration, I remain positive. How? I’m reminded of green everywhere I look. As a film critic, I try my best to not only analyze movies, but to help people appreciate and learn to dissect a movie for themselves. As a green voter, I try my best to not only pick a part politics, but to explain to others why I stand for what I stand for. By melding these two together, I stay positive and confident in my party. In other words, I find that movies help strengthen my resolve.
Prior to the 2012 Presidential election, I emailed the Jill Stein campaign, asking if it would be possible to find out what movies inspired her to become an activist. In time for the recently learned about Louisiana Green Party State Convention, I ask a new one to everyone - What movie or movies best represent your Green values?
Allow me to get things started:
- Glengarry Glen Ross - A friend of mine and I used to ritually watch the Alec Baldwin monologue everyday. For my friend - a conservative - he found it to be inspirational, making him want to grab the world by the throat and not let go. For me, I saw two things; a great scene and a reason to question the morality and ethics of capitalism. In fact, through the Jack Lemmon and Alan Arkin performances, I saw good men tempted, painted into a corner and even destroyed by the evils inherent in the system. Sure, you could argue that they were all responsible for their own actions, but I’d argue they were forced to play a fixed game in order to survive. Quit or play, you lose in the end.
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home - Yes, the one with where the Enterprise crew time travels to 20th Century San Francisco, and wacky fish out of water scenarios ensue. But, more than that, this movie best captures what Star Trek is all about; learning from mistakes and doing the right thing. Sure, Into Darkness had a more psychotic version of Kahn, but The Voyage Home brought a species back from extinction, and took a moral stand on whale hunting. Why can’t the new franchise do this?
- Metropolis - This silent classic from Fritz Lang is probably my number one pick. It tells the story of a futuristic city, where the population has been strictly divided between the working class (who live in a shanty town beneath the city) and the privileged (who flourish above). The privileged may think they have the power, but it’s the workers who keep the city running. This lesson is learned in the end, when a young woman brings the two sides together, with the words “The mediator between head and hands must be the heart.” Our nationwide metropolis needs a mediator right now.
When things get tough, and officials in my state continue to make poor choices, I recall a movie from my library, and remember why I vote the way I do. I look forward to Dr. Jill Stein’s keynote speech at the LA Greens Convention at the New Orleans Healing Center. If I get the opportunity, I’d love to ask her my cinematic question. What green flicks get you through the day in your state?
Bill Arceneaux is a New Orleans freelance film critic, writing for PROPAGANDA New Orleans and his blog neauxreelidea.com. If you like his work, feel free to visit patreon.com/neauxreelidea and offer your support, and follow him on twitter @neauxreelidea.