Mike's Musings: The Boycott of Orson Scott Card
When I first heard that they were making a movie of "Ender's Game," I was disgusted. Card is an outspoken opponent of gay marriage and former board member of the National Organization for Marriage. Should we, in this day and age, be allowing such people to be paid millions for their stories to be turned into movies? How could I, as a gay man, give money to a film whose author said that anti-homosexuality laws should remain on the books (if only to let people know that the behavior is unacceptable)?
For a long while, my gut instinct was to say no, and to refuse to give any money to someone who says such horrible things. Since then, my position has changed.
After reading an article, in "The Advocate," no less ("The Advocate" is probably the biggest gay magazine in the United States, for those of you who don't know...), that argued in favor of seeing it, I realize that things aren't that simple.
First off, Card is not the only person making the film. Far from it. There are, according to the article, 667 people who took part in the film's creation. 666 people (I'm not going to mention the fact that this is the "number of the beast") who were simply doing their jobs and trying to make the best film possible out of what is considered to be a sci-fi classic.
Second, Lionsgate, the studio, is well aware of the controversy surrounding Card, and has gone into overdrive to distance themselves and the film from his views. In fact, one executive considered the possibility that Card may be a liability to the film's success. The studio created a special screening of the film where all the proceeds will go to LGBT causes.
The people heading the production, including its stars, have also immediately dismissed Card's views. Harrison Ford said that, in a nutshell, Card lost the argument and he knows he lost. Producer Roberto Orci had no idea about Card's writing before the film went into production. Stars Asa Butterfield, Halee Stanfield and others have also criticized Card.
But the question is, can a man be separated from his art? Even if he has gone back on his views and resigned from NOM, is it still ethical to view the film?
I think so. How can we blame everyone else for his views? Plus, there's no way in hell Lionsgate is going to let a penny of the profits go to any anti-LGBT causes (this is what makes it different than Chick-Fil-A, which may still be donating to organizations that are pro-"traditional marriage").
This is a murky area, and your decision is your own. I can understand the impulse to boycott the film, and I'm not going to criticize anyone who refuses to see the film on these grounds.
For a long while, my gut instinct was to say no, and to refuse to give any money to someone who says such horrible things. Since then, my position has changed.
After reading an article, in "The Advocate," no less ("The Advocate" is probably the biggest gay magazine in the United States, for those of you who don't know...), that argued in favor of seeing it, I realize that things aren't that simple.
First off, Card is not the only person making the film. Far from it. There are, according to the article, 667 people who took part in the film's creation. 666 people (I'm not going to mention the fact that this is the "number of the beast") who were simply doing their jobs and trying to make the best film possible out of what is considered to be a sci-fi classic.
Second, Lionsgate, the studio, is well aware of the controversy surrounding Card, and has gone into overdrive to distance themselves and the film from his views. In fact, one executive considered the possibility that Card may be a liability to the film's success. The studio created a special screening of the film where all the proceeds will go to LGBT causes.
The people heading the production, including its stars, have also immediately dismissed Card's views. Harrison Ford said that, in a nutshell, Card lost the argument and he knows he lost. Producer Roberto Orci had no idea about Card's writing before the film went into production. Stars Asa Butterfield, Halee Stanfield and others have also criticized Card.
But the question is, can a man be separated from his art? Even if he has gone back on his views and resigned from NOM, is it still ethical to view the film?
I think so. How can we blame everyone else for his views? Plus, there's no way in hell Lionsgate is going to let a penny of the profits go to any anti-LGBT causes (this is what makes it different than Chick-Fil-A, which may still be donating to organizations that are pro-"traditional marriage").
This is a murky area, and your decision is your own. I can understand the impulse to boycott the film, and I'm not going to criticize anyone who refuses to see the film on these grounds.
Comments
Post a Comment