Boycot "Birthday Girl"

[Vox]

Normally I shouldn’t even post such a message here, (it should be very obvious, this board’s people should be the first to recognize such things) but we don’t live in a perfect world, there are still some who need a good prompting, a reminder, some impulses are not easy to resist for some, they will gobble up any indoctrination coming via Hollowood to the big or small screen, … etc., etc.
This movie was not made to advance, help, or ever remotely influence positively what we try to do here, (or what some already did).
It’s a clear message of what the media think of this enterprise (of going to Russia to find a life partner), of what the public (needs to be made to) think about it, of how we are perceived, or presented as, etc., all under the “veil” of a “comedy” …
First of all, any self-respecting guy involved in the R/UW pursuit will not go ANYWHERE NEAR such a production. Read any decent review of the movie and it will clear any doubt that this will not add anything helpful or necessary in terms of knowledge or experience to the subject.
(It’s simply too full of mockery, clichés, and such, entirely too obvious and in-your-face to doubt the real message—only the naïve and stupid are involved in this pursuit, and this is what they get in return!—And, yeah, it was by mistake or oversight that they did not even have a Russian actress in place!!!)
Second, no one will go to “see” it at least from respect for the Russian ladies who are so misrepresented, who do deserve a better treatment after all that they survived and lived under, especially when compared with the American counterparts here.
(And since not all the Russian ladies, even those living here in their first years, are well acquainted with how they are perceived by the society and public opinion at large, or are not yet attuned to the subtle innuendos of our “finely tuned” American cynicism, and therefore may not see all the messages in this seemingly “neutral” artwork and may be tempted to go, at least out of curiosity, it may behoove on people such as us to help them see through the real message, the farce in it.)
And, probably last but not least, as in anything of a business nature, money talks, and to vote against any such mishandling and mistreatment of the subject which for some of us is dear, remember that any ticket bought (even if you only go to criticize it or out of curiosity) will ring another number for the box office, in the end it will count.
So, if you really want to say NO to such thing, to show your disregard, your voice to this kind of thing, now you ca do it, now is your good chance, you’ll need to NOT go to the theater to see it at all, plain and simple!!!
If only the hundreds or so of the regular readers of this board will vote against this movie in this way it will still make a difference, let it become a flop.
And if you really feel and have that formidable urge to throw away the $10, why not give it to someone who actually needs it, someone who lives in R/U when you go there?
Even though first of all you may not do it out of simple self-respect.
And after all, isn't life more interesting or more involving, time precious enough for better pursuits than having otherwisely smart guys talking about what was wrong or what could make it better, after they wasted two hours of seeing such product?
Too bad I even have to remind some about this ...

[Bobby Orr]

... in response to Boycot "Birthday Girl", posted by Vox on Feb 5, 2002

Of course I am boycotting this charade.  I also boycott other movies furthering undesirables Hollywood tries to force down our throat.  That is all the individual can do.  Collectively we can give them the message loud and clear by affecting their bottom line.  Just do not see it.

[Princeton Lion]

... in response to Boycot "Birthday Girl", posted by Vox on Feb 5, 2002

Why not to see Nicole Kidman again?
She is my favorite actress... And woman!.. Ummmmmmm...

[SteveG]

... in response to Boycot "Birthday Girl", posted by Vox on Feb 5, 2002

Vox,
 I know you are right.  The MOB thing will NEVER be presented in a positive light by the media or Hollywood, BUT if curiosity gets too strong to bear and you just have to see this movie there is a way without giving the creators any money.  Simply buy a ticket for another movie showing at the same time and then go watch "Birthday Girl" rather than the movie on the ticket.   All the theaters I go to don't check to verify you are entering the specific room corresponding to your ticket anyway.

 If this don't work, I agree 100%.  Why pay to be insulted in the name of entertainment?

                      SteveG

[thesearch]

... in response to Boycot "Birthday Girl", posted by Vox on Feb 5, 2002

it is about selling tickets - concern for creating any realistic picture of truth is commonly not a concern. (I have not seen and will not choose to see it - trusting you on your experience - you did see it correct?)

I am glad that I do not do that type of work. How would you like to be told screw what damage you do to a small segment of the population - we are only interested in ticket sales. The world of money makes people choose between being a whore or a well meaning person. Humans? -- what choices does it seem they make?

A diversion here because of recent new poster:

Now this Mary from ASU. What is her professor like? Will she write the paper to suit her professor if she knows what her professor would like to hear? Will she make it to represent the truth? She certainly has the opportunity to create a so-called study of what is going on here and she has the choice to print truth or consequences from lack of truth. Maybe she is not even capable of finding truth. Maybe she is brilliant and her paper will represent a woman of capability - who knows? It is clear that her gender makes it easier for her to appreciate the issues of the women - how will she do with the issues of the men? If she is a poorly evolved human - she will focus on the  difficulties the women have and focus on the men that create those difficulties. We have seen women does this before.

Men here seem to appreciate both issues of the abusive males that get involved and the abusive women that participate - with both of these types of humans creating media disturbance and problems for the sincere man and woman.

[Vox]

... in response to I am not surprised, posted by thesearch on Feb 5, 2002

Why would I ever want to go to see this?
I only read some reviews.
Life is too precious and interesting and involving for me to have time to waste on such trash. It's not even entertainment. To see a poor chap stuck on pornography, and the rest of the cliches they added for this "mail order scene"?
To see Nicole K.? She is driven snow by now, and an actress, besides she changed, not interesting to even look at in any way. And how will that satisfy a man, just by looking at her?
My girl is way more beautiful, pristine, innocent, lovely, more intelligent, to mention a few qualities, and absolutely pure sweetness. And yes, she loves me to pieces!!!
So, no way, I'm not interested!!!
Why would I? I'm a very happy man, why would I be interested in someone else's trash?

[RusW]

... in response to I am not surprised, posted by thesearch on Feb 5, 2002

Greg,

Unfortunately most men here would not admit that majority of the women brought into USA pretty much fit the criteria or "non-speaking", "unknown past and present" as well as "unknown" person criteria. They fail to hear words of "Nadya" that men fall faster for the woman who does not speak the language and they don't want to hear about consequances.

Well, let's boycott all the movies with "bad Russians"! In this case half of the Hollywood production would be on stake. But on the other hand, being Russian myself I am starting to become more objective and refrain myself from saying all Russian women are traditional women, etc, etc..

For those who are starting to claim that a movie is portraiting wrong image of man, bad image of Russian woman  I can only say that unless you fit that profile, nobody is going to change their opinion because of the movie, Nicole Kidman or other publications. BUT... if there is some truth to something being claim, than there is something you need to think of.

I interpreted the story totally different than I guess most of people here. I saw two people who managed to stay strong despite all they have been through. Both of them made their fair share of mistakes, but at least this time it was not all those "bad Russians"

So, don't be "a girafe"... TALK

Russian Wife