[ wicked-film ] Write about persecution themes

It is a serious topic and one which definitely needs discussing, but
also: Kids, could you lighten up a little?

Author: CodingCellist

content/en/post/wicked-film-is-surprisingly-good/index.md

@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ see  ^^
 
 Cynthia Erivo -- Elphaba -- is also very good in her role. Elphaba's awkwardness
 and feeling out-of-place is clearly projected through the screen, and later in
-the film, she is actively commandeering and intimidating in exactly the way that
+the film, she is actively commanding and intimidating in exactly the way that
 people about to boil over with anger can be; her hand motions, her movements,
 her way of speaking are brilliantly done and really grip one's attention. And
 she can sing incredibly well!
@@ -128,13 +128,14 @@ bottom of this section when clicking it, but here is a
 
 
 The overall message of the film was something I did not expect to be as relevant
-(if not _more_ relevant) now as it was when I saw it over 10 years ago, or when
-it was made roughly 20 years ago. The film's plot is effectively unchanged from
-the musical's, and yet it definitely resonates with several current topics.
+(if not _more_ relevant) now as it was when I saw the musical over ten years
+ago, or when the musical was made roughly _twenty_ years ago. The film's plot is
+effectively unchanged from the musical's, and yet it definitely resonates with
+several current topics.
 
-### A Critique of Power
+### A Criticism of Power
 
-At its core, Wicked is a critique of power. Those who have control are shown to
+At its core, Wicked is a criticism of power. Those who have control are shown to
 have been corrupted by it, wanting to use new and emerging powers to keep and
 entrench their current control, because they are out of ideas and things haven't
 magically fixed themselves just by them being in power. But they don't want to
@@ -156,24 +157,83 @@ asking him to read it. Only to, when he fails, conclude:
 
 Which, to his credit, the Wizard immediately owns up to:
 
-> Exactly. And that's why I need you.
+> Exactly! And that's why I need you.
 
-The Wizard and the sorcery expert Madame Morrible _need_ someone who can
+The Wizard and the sorcery teacher Madame Morrible _need_ someone who can
 actually exert the power they have been carefully creating an illusion of
 having. Because cracks are beginning to form in everyday well-being, and they
-know that finding a scapegoat to persecute is a very time-limited, short-term
+know that finding a scapegoat to persecute is a time-limited, short-term
 ""solution"".
 
-### Being Different/Queer
-
-* Definitely has some sub-themes of queerness
-  - To some extent makes sense: Friends of Dorothy, etc. (TODO: expand)
+Galinda changing her name to Glinda "out of solidarity" is also a very obvious
+criticism of empty acts which actually take no risk and have no impact, but are
+done purely to promote an image of caring.
 
 ### Racism, Xenophobia, and Persecution
 
-* Animals meeting in secret to discuss others going missing, being erased from
-    educational history, etc. draws some links to black history as well as World
-    War 2.
+Speaking of solidarity, there are also some parallels to be drawn to black
+history, xenophobia, and persecution. Although I have not lived the experiences
+or am part of those minorities, I would still like to briefly discuss how the
+film draws parallels to these. Hopefully I have managed to do so in a respectful
+and considerate manner.
+
+When Elphaba accidentally breaks the giant stone carving of the Wizard of Oz at
+Shiz University, it falls away to reveal an older, wooden painting of animal and
+human scholars side by side. That the animals are slowly but surely being
+systematically removed from society is also mentioned by Dr Dillamond -- a goat
+-- who recalls how all sorts of animals used to freely exchange knowledge and
+spar theories with their human colleagues. This is followed by the question from
+Galinda "Why can't you just teach us history instead of blabbering on about the
+past?", which is (hopefully) recognised by the audience as poignantly ironic and
+satirical of people who truly believe that question to be valid.
+
+There is also the scene where animals are shown to be meeting in secrecy, scared
+for their lives, to discuss how other animals, friends, and colleagues have gone
+missing, asked to speak urgently and never showed, or simply reduced to their
+base instincts, no longer able to speak out. There are some _chilling_ parallels
+to be drawn to both historical and some current events, especially when Elphaba
+has a chat with Dillamond:
+
+> _Elphaba:_ The Wizard would not let this happen.
+>
+> _Dillamond (sadly):_ My dear, it is already happening.
+
+The evil is already there and extremely noticeable by those it is targeting.
+Elphaba was just not affected and so she has not realised the extent before
+talking to someone who is at risk of being persecuted, including that it is now
+becoming increasingly brazen, affecting more and more "regular" citizens' lives.
+Citizens who are either too scared to do anything, in denial, or some who
+straight up support the new order which is being created (exemplified by an
+anonymous student having written "Animals should be seen and not heard" on the
+back of blackboard, for Dr Dillamond to find. To Elphaba's credit, she
+immediately believes Dr Dillamond and does not try to downplay his concerns or
+statements.
+
+### Being Different/Queer
+
+* Definitely has some sub-themes of queerness
+  - I mean. _I mean_. _**Come on!**_  : D
+  - Not fitting in
+  - Never having had the same experiences as a child as other children.
+  - Knowing for a fact that you were different
+  - Being shunned/misunderstood simply because of a way you were born and had no
+      control over
+  - Trying to conceal something which very few others understand
+  - The joy of finally meeting someone who not only understands, but encourages
+      you to explore it
+  - The surprise, slight disbelief, and relief and joy at meeting someone who
+      did notice, but simply does not care and just treats you as a regular
+      human being from the get-go
+  - The joy of making a couple of crucial friends who help bridge the gap with
+      "regular" people, sparking a wider social circle
+  - The _absolute belter_ that is "Defying Gravity", singing "it's time to trust
+      my instincts, close my eyes, and leap"
+  - In combination with the characters and backing cast, there is just _so much_
+      which can be seen as telling a queer story, and it works _so well!_ It is
+      _so good!_ ^^
+  - (Sorry, I'm a bit excited about all this, if you couldn't tell.)
+  - This also ties in a bit with the original story: Friends of Dorothy, etc.
+      (TODO: expand).
 
 
 ## Not All Great
@@ -194,10 +254,10 @@ English, there were also Danish subtitles, including for the songs. The
 translation was done by Trine Dansgaard who -- based off
 [her website](https://trine.dk) --
 is no stranger to musical translations: she's translated both Aladdin The
-Musical, HAIRSPRAY, and Moana/Vaiana 2 from English into Danish. I quickly
-stopped paying any attention whatsoever to the subtitles, as they were generally
-pretty bad, with the song lyrics in particular being plain _awful_ in critical
-places (sorry Trine).
+Musical, Hairspray, and Moana/Vaiana 2 from English into Danish. I quickly
+stopped paying any attention whatsoever to the subtitles, because they were
+unfortunately pretty bad, with the song lyrics in particular being plain _awful_
+in critical places (sorry Trine).
 
 * Probably less noted due to the language size, but the Danish subtitling is
     _awful_