Decadence of our times
It is almost time for the glitz and glamour of Academy Awards (Oscars) scheduled for March 2.
Among the favourites to take the coveted prize is 12 Years a Slave, which probably pales in comparison to Mandela’s 27 years of captivity.
The other favourite is American Hustle, while Gravity, which was at one time a strong contender, is slowly drifting into outer space along with Sandra Bullock’s chances of winning another Oscar statuette, which has stood on the mantels of the greatest filmmakers in history since 1929.
The Oscars certainly draws worldwide attention, even among those who are not such avid moviegoers. It is about style and fashion, while evoking a sense of magic.
This famed spectacular, however, has this year drawn my attention for a different reason – its outright rewarding of decadence and moral corruption.
Take for example the Wolf of Wall Street. It has been nominated for best movie, yet the “F” word, among numerous other profanities, is used more than 500 times.
Therefore, in this 180 minute movie that places the spotlight on large-scale corruption, all the while advocating a lifestyle of drugs and sex, profanity is used at an average about three times every minute.
It seems it also set a world record on how many times the “F” word can roll from one person’s tongue. And then is it reported the director had to tone the movie down, because it’s being released to the public!
And yet, The Wolf of Wall Street is cashing in globally, because people want to be drawn into this crazy “F” world of schemes and scams.
Even the other Oscar contenders like Dallas Buyers Club and America Hustle portray the excesses of a decadent lifestyle, yet are lauded as superior entertainment.
Directors are being praised for being bold and brave in their vision. The question that needs to be asked are they simply portraying the decadence of society, or even society’s decline into desensitisation, or are they fuelling the fall into decadence?
You have to conclude that there is something utterly amiss in this world. Societies, especially the young minds it seems being unconsciously brainwashed, transformed and conditioned through movies, television or the internet to emulate perversion, sexual deviance and violent behaviour.
It seems irreligiosity and materialism has gone to such heights as to transform a large proportion of young minds into a drug-addicted and violent generation.
We remain shocked at how the youth are hooked on drugs, not just using at a tender age, but also dealing.
But if we look at what Hollywood dishes up (eye-candy for the youth), should we then be shocked the youth is no longer innocent?
One of the biggest hits on TV that has won numerous awards is Breaking Bad. What is it all about? Drugs.
It is about a high school teacher who is diagnosed with lung cancer, and so in order to provide for his family’s future, he teams up with an ex-student to cook and sell the world’s purest crystal meth.
And there are numerous other examples of Hollywood wrapping a life of crime in beautiful Christmas wrappings to make it look enticing – think of Boardwalk Empire and Sopranos.
This decadent lifestyle of drugs, sex and money is made to seem cool and trendy.
Naturally, there is concern even here in South Africa, and in our city, to how you stop the drug trade. The problem is, while a huge demand remains, then the supply will continue, no matter how many dealers you arrest.
And a Hollywood that glamorises decadence is fuelling this demand.
Years ago, the Oscars represented something almost pure and golden – a time of values, good taste, and class.
This year it has proven that if you advocate violence, snort a lot of coke, and behave like a crazed sex hooligan you get a nod for a possible statuette.
While we bemoan the utter incompetency of the E-toll system, it stills feels like these issues pale in comparison to the general decay of society around us.
And we also have plenty of “wolves” in this country – from government down to the private sector – that are setting all kinds of corrupt and excessive example of immoral living.
Sadly, it seems the magical fabric of society is tearing apart faster that what Sanral can send out invoices or that potholes can be fixed.
And this is reality – not just a Hollywood imagined storyline.
