Walkabout (1971) Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) Mad Max I 1979) Gallipoli (1981) Man From Snowy River (1982) Crocodile Dundee (1986) Young Einstein (1988) Strictly Ballroom (1992) Romper Stomper (1992) Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994) The Castle (1997) Welcome to Woop Woop (1997) Two Hands (1999) Chopper (2000) Moulin Rouge (2001) Japanese story (2002) Rabbit-proof Fence (2002) Wolf Creek (2006) Rogue (2007)
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Romper Stomper (1992)Director- Geoffrey Wright "In another sense, it's a continuation of the Australian bush-ranging film traditions of the Story of the Kelly Gang, made in 1906, but without the bush, or the sentimentalism. In a way, Hando and his mates are the modern descendants of the Australian outlaw ethos – protecting their land, just like the Kelly's." Paul Byrnes - Sydney Morning Herald film critic In theory, the release of Romper Stomper in 1992 was going to combat racism. By showing the mind of neo-nazis in Australia, Australians could stop being denial about the existence of racism and in turn be diligent in fighting it. Furthermore, Australians could learn that being proud of Australia amounts to being a neo-Nazi. Being proud of Ned Kelly was no different to being proud of Adolph Hitler. While Romper Stomper sounded ok in theory, the years following the movie's release indicate that, while the calls to eliminate racism increased, so too did the expression of racist sentiments. In 1996, an anti-Asian politician came to prominence. In 2001, a federal election was won on the back of excluding illegal migrants/refugees from entering Australia. In 2005, anti-Lebonese riots/protests/activism on Cronulla beach drew headlines around the world. As for Romper Stomper, it became a cult movie for neo-Nazis around the world. The problem with the theory of countering-denial-and-vilifying-the-racists to cure racism is that it leads to a polarised society. Those who might be moderately racist are ostracised and pushed into extreme positions. Furthermore, the anti-racists become so consumed with their hatred of racists that they themselves forget to say anything nice about other races. They are not people who are open to be changed by other races. Instead, they become people who want to punish those who dislike other races. In the end, they become as bitter, ignorant and cold hearted as the people that they are vilifying. Comments on the YouTube website under the Romper Stomper videos showcase the inevitable consequence of Romper Stomper type movies. The comments are polorised, hateful, and leave no room for discussion. These comments include: fuck you all!! my power!! go fuck ur race in the ass. whitey
If you don't like my comment, then don't read it..
In defence of the makers of Romper Stomper, their countering-denial-and-vilifying-the-racists cure to racism is in accordance with theories being preached by social psychologists receiving government funding to cure racism. Many social psychologists from the Social Identity Tradition (Tajfel and Turner 86) believe that governments must build an identity that is intolerant to racism. If individuals subsequently assimilate the social identity then they will not be racist themselves. The Australian governments "racism no-way" campaign is an application of this theory. Although the social psychologists have experimental evidence in support of their anti-racism theories, their application of the theory is fundamentally flawed. Stopping racism by building a hatred-of-racism identity is like conforming to Christian principles by burning a witch, or having good sexual morality by spitting on a slut. The identity can not exist unless there are racists to villify. If no racists exist, then they must be created. The inevitable consequence is a polarised society of people who hate people.
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