The Wild Horse Nine actor had been due to appear on stage in The Music Critic in Tel Aviv – but pulled out over PR firm’s ‘unacceptable and untenable’ attribution of statement
He gave what I thought was a thoughtful explanation of why he was planning to go:
“Throughout my long career, I’ve been lucky to perform across a quite wide swath of the world – in countries with governments whose values or culture I do not share and in front of audiences of many differing faiths and ideologies,” he wrote. “Travelling to places whose view of the world may not align with mine has given me a chance to observe and to listen and learn and to share my idea of what makes good storytelling and what makes beautiful music and how they can complement each other and illuminate the human condition.
“My appearance in any country, even my own, does not constitute approval of said country’s policies, nor actions, nor its elected or unelected leaders. My appearances would also not condone nor mean that I am in supposed ‘solidarity’ with any particular political cause, nor with the killing of innocents, nor with any acts of terrorism, nor any other kind of barbarity.”
I’m not surprised at all by what I read there, because it’s the same mealy-mouthed output anyone else would use in that position.
It’s disappointing to hear a false equivalence between the country he lives in and has little choice in, versus one he chooses to visit wilfully.
Also, language like “ in countries with governments whose values or culture I do not share” is also weak as urine to allude to a place carrying out genocide.
Edit: he mentioned killing of innocents, but did not really specify who he is talking about.
If he’s talking about an event that he pulled out of specifically because they misrepresented his presence as having ‘solidarity’ with Israel, who do you think the statement is about? 🙄
As a counterpoint, the above is basically just a reframing of “kill the artist,” I.e ignore all the surroundings of what made a piece of art and just look at the art itself in a vacuum.
The above is neither possible, practical, or reasonable, especially when the artists are calling for or funding genocide and mass death. Giving your voice to such work is itself hoisting up the act of genocide, and that is not defensible.
He gave what I thought was a thoughtful explanation of why he was planning to go
that’s not thoughtful at all, it’s just described what he does…he goes places, observes, makes good money and returns.
there’s no justification for visiting Israel, Russia etc or any such place and lending his considerable cachet to thier validation. It’s why they asked him their in the first place ffs.
That he doesn’t Vote is the worst spit in the face there is. You have entire nations with citizens giving their lives fighting to be able to vote in free elections and he just shit in their pockets saying it doesn’t matter.
Visiting a place usually involves paying taxes to its government though. So however you may feel about their actions, you are financially supporting them. That is an ethical consideration that should be weighed, I think.
It’s not that I disagree with you - I don’t - but your comment is my number one complaint about Lemmy. It’s a place to rant one’s fixed positions without discussion. To proudly share that you didn’t read the article and then barf your absolutist position… it’s not brave and principled. It’s dumb. Malkovich made some interesting and more nuanced statements on this subject which you didn’t read but I’m thinking at this point you wouldn’t be able to understand them anyway.
I might go to defecate there and spread the pollution an airliner spews, but I wouldn’t spend a single cent there. Israel is lucky we dont consider them an enemy yet. And why we don’t is a mystery and a travesty.
I haven’t read the article. There is absolutely no justification for going to Israel unless it’s to impede or protest genocide.
He gave what I thought was a thoughtful explanation of why he was planning to go:
I appreciate the excerpt.
I’m not surprised at all by what I read there, because it’s the same mealy-mouthed output anyone else would use in that position.
It’s disappointing to hear a false equivalence between the country he lives in and has little choice in, versus one he chooses to visit wilfully.
Also, language like “ in countries with governments whose values or culture I do not share” is also weak as urine to allude to a place carrying out genocide.
Edit: he mentioned killing of innocents, but did not really specify who he is talking about.
If he’s talking about an event that he pulled out of specifically because they misrepresented his presence as having ‘solidarity’ with Israel, who do you think the statement is about? 🙄
Oh Malkovich, you classy son of a bitch!
This, btw, from a man who according to this very same article
Which IMO illustrates just how pissed he had to be at Israel.
I read that in his voice
Yeah but who needs a thoughtful explanation when you already have a cherished narrative? /s
As a counterpoint, the above is basically just a reframing of “kill the artist,” I.e ignore all the surroundings of what made a piece of art and just look at the art itself in a vacuum.
The above is neither possible, practical, or reasonable, especially when the artists are calling for or funding genocide and mass death. Giving your voice to such work is itself hoisting up the act of genocide, and that is not defensible.
Sure, but performing there is not observing.
that’s not thoughtful at all, it’s just described what he does…he goes places, observes, makes good money and returns.
there’s no justification for visiting Israel, Russia etc or any such place and lending his considerable cachet to thier validation. It’s why they asked him their in the first place ffs.
That he doesn’t Vote is the worst spit in the face there is. You have entire nations with citizens giving their lives fighting to be able to vote in free elections and he just shit in their pockets saying it doesn’t matter.
fuck that guy
would you consider yourself an electoralist?
Visiting a place usually involves paying taxes to its government though. So however you may feel about their actions, you are financially supporting them. That is an ethical consideration that should be weighed, I think.
It’s not that I disagree with you - I don’t - but your comment is my number one complaint about Lemmy. It’s a place to rant one’s fixed positions without discussion. To proudly share that you didn’t read the article and then barf your absolutist position… it’s not brave and principled. It’s dumb. Malkovich made some interesting and more nuanced statements on this subject which you didn’t read but I’m thinking at this point you wouldn’t be able to understand them anyway.
You should read it before making blanket statements, regardless of my agreement with your point.
I have read it now, and I regret reading it. It was the most predictable thing ever, once again.
Summary: Self-absorbed artist and fan of Israel who is is unmoved by genocide draws a line for himself only.
I might go to defecate there and spread the pollution an airliner spews, but I wouldn’t spend a single cent there. Israel is lucky we dont consider them an enemy yet. And why we don’t is a mystery and a travesty.
Its not really a mystery. Zionist fifth columnists control your government.
Read the fucking article you dumb ass or enjoy the god damned egg all over your face