Good and Evil
Last night, I saw Lord of War. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you see it. (The soundtrack even features Jeff Buckley’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” — also heard in the German film the Edukators. I love that song!) Anyway, in one of the most memorable quotes from the movie, Yuri Orlov (Nic Cage) comments on the futility of getting out of the gun-running business by saying something like, “They say evil prevails when good men do not intervene. What they should say is: Evil prevails.”
Yuri’s driving forces are, one, he’s really good at gun-running and, two, he’s completely convinced that if he were to stop gun-running, the next guy in line would simply move up and take his place. I’m an optimist and I support nonviolence as a first-choice response; therefore, I disagree with one of the central themes in the movie: war is not only inevitable, it’s a natural way to resolve conflict. (Though, it is worth mentioning that the movie ends by explicitly stating the root cause of the gun-running problem: the five permanent members of the UN Security Council are also the top five gun-running countries.)
Interestingly, in recent weeks, I’ve now seen two movies on the topic of Good & Evil in respect to international law in Africa. (The Constant Gardener was the other one.) But, off of the silver screen and back to my own life … Do you hear what I hear right now? That wonderful sound is the quiet jingle of keys. Keys to my new apartment. I did it! I’m finally all moved into the new place and all of my stuff is out of the old one. Exciting shit, indeed! There are a million piles of clothes and boxes everywhere, but I’m sure it will all get sorted out in due time …
September 18th, 2005 at 1:52 pm
Great quote from Lord of War. I haven’t seen it, but now I will. I’m using it as my email signature. Thanks!
September 18th, 2005 at 2:39 pm
I went in not knowing what to think. I thought it was good information. I guess I was expecting an action movie, but I was pleased.
September 18th, 2005 at 5:39 pm
Nice comments, stolie.
And yes, that song by Buckley is one of the very best. God, that guy could sing.
September 18th, 2005 at 6:16 pm
I would agree that the movie does send strong messages and it’s time that this act of violence stops but it will only begin when the world’s “Super Powers” gain some sense.
September 19th, 2005 at 3:46 am
congratulations for your new home :)
September 19th, 2005 at 3:47 am
congratulations for your new home :)
home in ny… really great :)
September 19th, 2005 at 7:45 pm
Congrats on moving into your new home, and good luck unpacking all those boxes!
September 20th, 2005 at 10:26 pm
1. Hmmm … pure evil.
2. I think the marketing people bill it as an action movie. Really, from the previews, that’s what one would expect.
3. HUGE fan of that song.
4. Nods from the peanut gallery.
5.6.7. Honestly, thanks. It’s so nice to have a home to which I really look forward to returning. I’m REALLY excited about unpacking and decorating the new place.