“American Civil War” defeated North America 3 new film was criticized for being screened in an election year | Cataclysm of the Empire: American Civil War | The Ungentleman Squad

“American Civil War” defeated North America 3 new film was criticized for being screened in an election year | Cataclysm of the Empire: American Civil War | The Ungentleman Squad | Spy Family Wine

Movie posters for “SPY×FAMILY CODE: White Theatrical Edition”, “The Great Rebellion: The American Civil War” and “The Unforgettable”. (Provided by Kapok, Garage Entertainment and Cai Chang International/Synthesized by The Epoch Times)

[The Epoch Times, April 22, 2024](Epoch Times reporter Ye Jie compiled and reported) As of Sunday (21st), “Empire: The American Civil War” defeated three newly released movies in its second week to retain the North American weekend title. No. 1 at the box office, however, the film was criticized for being irresponsible during an election year in the United States. The director explained that the film focuses on the issues of journalism and corrupt dictatorships.

Alex Garland’s “Civil War” grossed US$11.1 million in its second weekend in North America, bringing its global box office revenue to US$49.5 million. The North American weekend box office exceeded that of new movies “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”, “SPY×FAMILY CODE: White” and “Abigail” in their first week of release.

However, according to foreign media reports, the recent “American Civil War” movie produced by the independent film company A24 has continued to receive negative publicity in North America. Not only did A24 use AI to produce its new advertising posters, it was criticized by netizens. As the U.S. presidential election will be held in the fall, and against the background of socio-political tension in the United States, A24’s release of a film based on the American Civil War has attracted criticism from the outside world for its irresponsibility, making it the most controversial film in recent months. (Previous report:5 AI posters for “Smash: American Civil War” caused an uproar)

Regarding the outside world and the discussion, Garland explained to Vulture magazine his position on the historical background of the “American Civil War” movie: “On this issue, to be honest, I don’t know whether it is responsible or irresponsible, because I need to know There are a lot of things I don’t know to answer a question like this.”

The director believes that his point of view is completely opposite to the issue of irresponsibility, “But I think there is a completely opposite point of view, which is ‘What are the consequences of not speaking? What are the consequences of silence? To silence yourself or to silence others Silence? ‘ question.

The film is set in the near future, where the country has become a dictatorship under the rule of a president who is about to be reelected for three terms. “Spider-Man” actress Kirsten Dunst plays the role of senior war correspondent “Lee” in the film, who plans to travel through the war-torn United States to the White House with a group of reporters.

Garland told the magazine that his film wanted to remind viewers of two things. The first is the importance of reporting. He said: “If I were to simplify in some way, and I don’t tend to simplify, I would say — Paradoxically, given the subject matter of the film — it’s about journalism, it’s a film about reporting, it’s about trying to function like an old-fashioned journalist. ,This is the first point.”

The second thing to remind the audience is, “Simply recognize that this country, my country, many European countries, Middle Eastern countries, Asian countries, South American countries are practicing populism, polarizing politics that are creating and amplifying extreme divisions, And the end state of populism is extremism, and then fascism.”

Garland reiterated the importance of journalists in journalism, saying: “It comes back to journalists because you have governments that have checks and balances, but you also need another thing, and that’s the media, which has to be free , fair, but it must also be trustworthy. At present, the mainstream voices in the press are no longer trusted.”

Garland said: “I’m in my 50s. When I was a kid, if a news story about a corrupt or lying politician was published in a ‘broadsheet newspaper’, whether you were a member of that newspaper or not readers, that report would probably end that person’s career.”

In addition to “Shock: American Civil War”, the new North American film “SPY×FAMILY CODE: White” ranked fifth, earning US$4.9 million in its premiere. The North American box office debut of “Unfortunately” earned US$9 million, ranking fourth. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” ranked third in its fourth week of release, earning US$9.5 million in North America and a global box office of US$485 million.

Stills from The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. (Provided by Cai Chang International Multimedia)

“Unfortunately” received an approval rating of 73% from critics on the film review website “Rotten Tomatoes” and an audience score of 94%. The audience poll on the website of the market research organization “CinemaScore” received an “A-” rating. “SPY×FAMILY CODE: White Theatrical” received high approval from critics and audiences of 96% and 99% respectively on “Rotten Tomatoes”, with a “theatrical score” of “A”.

Stills from “Theatrical Version SPY×FAMILY CODE: White”. (Provided by Kapok)

Editor in charge: Jasmine