Red Dawn .... or not?

In many respects was the film Red Dawn, released in 1984, a tribute to America's deep distrust of the ' commies ' or ' reds. " In those days, that meant fear of the Soviet Union. For those of you who haven't seen the movie the plot goes something like this:

Russian commies invade the USA--> they put part of the USA in a Communist prison--> young American Patriots fight back for the control of their small town.

It is the quint-essential American film and was very popular during the day. The timing of the film couldn't have been better. It was released during the Reagan years amid the emerging neo-conservative faction and wavy anti-Communist sentiment. For Americans, the film was an ego-boost for Patriots.

Fast forward now, 25 years .....

MGM, looking for an easy buck, hoped to produce a re-make of Red Dawn. Of course, the remake would involve young people rebel against communist oppressors as the first film had. But then came the question; Who would the Communist invaders? The USSR has faded into history books, and the successor State (Russia) just seems to be no fear in the hearts of Americans more (sorry comrades).

Just then, someone at MGM had a eureka moment. China! Of course, they are commies too right? Every American fears China these days, we can the film with a Chinese invasion just instead remake!

The producers their signature, and the film roles began roles (not literally of course). It was ready, but then word to China about this new film, a film that they depicted as merciless aggressors. The Chinese Government condemned the film as proof that the United States wanted to label them as an enemy; that the us still a paranoid mentality of the cold war was like.

Here's the kicker, Red Dawn was suddenly and mysteriously delayed. MGM claims that their current financial difficulties made it impossible for them to promote the film, so they are waiting until their finances in order before releasing it. However, new details have surfaced that suggest this may not be the whole story.

It seems that the people of MGM have decided that the North Koreans a better enemy than the Chinese. Right away... How do you change the very plot of a movie after it had already filmed? Well, reports indicate that they have a few scenes are re-shooting while at the same time going through and digitally modifying each flag, each symbol and each translation from Chinese n. Korean.

Now, I admit that the original plot of the film would be ridiculous to begin with. The idea of a Chinese invasion is ridiculous, not to mention the fact that China is not really Communist. But now you have the makings of a terrible movie, probably filled with numerous plot holes. An invasion by the North Koreans?! Do you mean the country that successfully a rocket go beyond Japan cannot start? Let alone orchestrating a high-tech invasion of the only real superpower of the world on the other side of the planet?

Why the change in the first place? Why endanger an important movie while MGM is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy? The answer is simple: Chinese pressure. The Chinese Government and the people don't want to be demonized (and not). The indignation which this film made in China was enough to MGM on message. Their executives asked: do we release of the film and risk of the Chinese Government all future MGM films in's world's fastest growing market to ban? Whether we are to appease the movie to edit them? Of course, she opted to go with the latter.

Now, I'll give a suggestion. Although largely overlooked in the media, this event is quite important. Think about it, the economic and political influence of China is now big enough to force MGM getting back on a big movie. This is something that the Soviet Union, the other major ' super power ' could never do. This means that China is more powerful and influential than the Soviet Union ever had become?

From: http://politikalmatters.blogspot.com/

I am a student of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My specialty is in the u.s. and Chinese politics.