Propaganda, Reruns and Toys

When I used to travel to Vietnam for work back in the late 1990s, I was always amused that instead of being introduced as the PR coordinator of my organization I was called the propaganda minister. Propaganda in the U.S. has always been a dirty word, and we’ve deluded ourselves into saying we don’t have any even though we’re bombarded by it daily.

So I was pleased to know about the release of the four disc animated Soviet Propaganda films. It’s still a bit pricey for my tates at close to $100, but I’m sure it will eventually make it to my library, and last night I had great fun watching the Capitalist Sharks with six groovy little films. The best was called The Shareholder from 1963 that followed a factory worker named Michael Chase who is deluded into thinking that his life is secure because he holds one share of stock even though everything he owns was bought on credit. The little film has a wonderfully sexy, jazzy score and rhythm and twisted but not inaccurate view of American consumerism.

I could easily end up buying the entire series, and Soviet animation inspired, in part, the season finale of JunkThief TV. (My current profile photo is from that episode.) Speaking of which, I’m taking a hiatus on the little videos and can’t say exactly when we’ll return. Though there’ve been some nice comments and introductions, I have to admit that folks have not exactly been in tears while the screen is dark for a while. In the meantime, enjoy the reruns.

In the meantime I may have to follow WAT's lead and invest in this great little entertainment device. Hours of chills and thrills without ever leaving the comfort of your home.