theguardian.com
Culture War Erupts Over "Wicked" Film Adaptation
The film adaptation of the musical "Wicked" has ignited a culture war, with attacks on lead actress Cynthia Erivo amplified by coordinated online campaigns linked to far-right figures, revealing a concerning trend of weaponizing cultural moments for political gain.
- How has the release of the "Wicked" film become a flashpoint in the US culture war, and what are the immediate consequences?
- The film adaptation of the musical "Wicked" has sparked a culture war, with attacks targeting Cynthia Erivo, the Black queer actress playing Elphaba. These attacks, amplified by coordinated social media campaigns linked to far-right figures, exploit the film's themes of prejudice to further their political agenda. This has resulted in increased media attention focused on the controversy rather than the film itself.
- What are the underlying causes of the attacks on Cynthia Erivo and the film "Wicked", and how do these attacks connect to broader political strategies?
- The controversy surrounding "Wicked" showcases the increasing weaponization of cultural moments in political marketing. Well-funded groups utilize social media to push narratives, framing the film's themes—such as bullying and prejudice—as evidence of "wokeness," thereby galvanizing their base and influencing public perception. This tactic mirrors similar campaigns targeting other films and actors, highlighting a concerning trend in political discourse.
- What are the potential long-term implications of allowing politically motivated social media campaigns to shape public opinion on cultural events, and what strategies can mitigate these risks?
- The "Wicked" controversy reveals the vulnerability of Hollywood to manipulative online campaigns. Film studios face the challenge of either engaging in politically charged responses or risking alienating portions of their audience. The long-term implications include potential limitations on creative expression and the further polarization of the cultural landscape. This trend signals the need for stronger media literacy and critical engagement with online content.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative structure emphasizes the negative and politically-motivated backlash against the film, particularly targeting Cynthia Erivo. The headline itself ("The "war on woke" has a new target...") frames the controversy as an attack, setting a negative tone. The article spends significant time detailing the far-right online campaigns against the film, reinforcing the framing of the controversy as being driven by politically motivated attacks. While acknowledging the existence of criticism of the BBFC rating, it largely dismisses it as part of an "anti-woke" campaign without fully exploring alternative viewpoints.
Language Bias
The article uses loaded language like "rabid media attacks," "bile," "darker arts," and "white supremacist media," which emotionally charge the narrative and contribute to a biased portrayal of the opposing viewpoints. More neutral alternatives could include "criticism," "negative comments," "political strategies," and "online campaigns." The repeated use of terms like "woke" and "anti-woke" further polarizes the discussion.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative reactions to the Wicked movie, particularly from conservative and far-right groups. It mentions the positive reception among teenage girls and musical fans, but doesn't delve into the details of their response or provide a balanced representation of diverse opinions. The article also omits any discussion of the film's artistic merits or box office success, which would provide a more complete picture beyond the political controversy.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by framing the response to the film as a battle between "progressives and conservatives," implying these are the only two relevant viewpoints. This simplifies a complex issue by ignoring other perspectives and potential motivations for criticism beyond political ideology.
Gender Bias
While the article highlights the attacks on Cynthia Erivo, a black woman, and mentions other women of color targeted by similar campaigns, it doesn't deeply analyze how gender intersects with race and the nature of the attacks. The article could benefit from a more in-depth analysis of how the attacks might differ from those faced by male actors, or how gender stereotypes are deployed in these online campaigns.