Well, Wafers, what can I say? The US is circling the drain in a race to the bottom. Absurdity is the touchstone of the final days of an empire. A country filled with horses' asses can only generate horse's-ass politics, and can only put horses' asses in the White House. Where is Joe the Plumber when we need him?
I've been reading Fellini's autobiography. He records several instances of meeting with American producers to obtain financing for various films. In most cases, they would have him come to their hotel rooms in Rome, greet him in their underwear, with a glass of Scotch in one hand and a telephone in the other (talking to Tokyo or whatever), wheeling and dealing. They had no interest in cinema or art; they were vulgar hustlers, nothing more. All of this dates from the 70s, or earlier. Fellini doesn't comment on any of this, he just reports it. The difference from European producers couldn't be more stark.
I would ask: How did we manage to produce such a garbage culture?, but I think I've already answered that. Anyway, Onward Toward Self-Destruction!
-mb
