No corner of life or the world, it appears, is safe from the culture wars. First we had the righties declaring that the animated adventure The Incredibles is a celebration of conservative -– or, at any rate, libertarian -– values. Now we have wingers like hack film reviewer Michael Medved and National Review’s Richard Lowry telling us that the charming documentary "March of the Penguins" is actually a Godly celebration of monogamy, child-rearing and the right to life. This New York Times article gives us a religious academic arguing for a family values interpretation:
"You get a sense of these animals — following their natural instincts — are really exercising virtue that for humans would be quite admirable. I could see it as a statement on monogamy or condemnation of gay marriage or whatever the current agenda is."
We also get Ohio minister Ben Hunt declaring:
"Some of the circumstances they experienced seemed to parallel those of Christians. The penguin is falling behind, is like some Christians falling behind. The path changes every year, yet they find their way, is like the Holy Spirit."
Meanwhile, Andrew Coffin, in World Magazine, is arguing that the movie is an endorsement of intelligent design:
"That any one of these eggs survives is a remarkable feat — and, some might suppose, a strong case for intelligent design. It's sad that acknowledgment of a creator is absent in the examination of such strange and wonderful animals. But it's also a gap easily filled by family discussion after the film."
Now, "March of the Penguins" is indeed a wonderful movie — beautifully filmed under conditions that must have verged on impossible (I really hope the DVD release includes a good behind-the-scenes featurette.).The penguins, with their ungainly dignity and unreadable black faces, are a deeply touching sight as they totter and slide across endless fields of ice, and their downy chicks look doubly vulnerable in this terribly unforgiving landscape.
Article comments
1 - Dave Nalle
I have to say that the quotes you dug up are truly retarded. Having seen the movie - which is visually beautiful, but somewhat dull and impersonal - I don't see how they could reach any of these conclusions except about monogamy which the movie actually specifies as lasting for only a year.
Dave
2 - Scott Butki
Ah, I just wrote up a blog about this piece too.
I couldn't believe what I was reading.
3 - no milk
penguins are sooo gay (and monogamous!)
4 - Nancy
What!? Penguins are GAY?! Quick - somebody call Pat Robertson!
5 - Bob A. Booey
Penguins are PATHETIC! Their collectivist social organization and selfless parenting reminds me of the OUTRAGE of neo-socialism. I read about it on a puffin anarchist website, which is basically the same thing as the Arctic bird wing of politics.
That is all.
6 - Dr. Kurt
Female penguins (though not Emperors) will commonly trade sex for nest pebbles, displaying of one many examples of animal prostitution. And hey, how do we know what gender a pair is, from a distance? Perhaps some of those anthropomorphized penguin couples are actually gay/lesbian, doing heroic jobs of chick-raising? People are even sillier than penguins. Maliciously Funny Design - a viable "theory"? Squaaaawk!
7 - Bob A. Booey
Huh? What are you a Doctor of, Kurt?
That is all.
8 - Nancy
Pebbles for sex? Oh, now THAT is pitiful. They should at least hold out for a good herring or two. Talk about male penguins being hard up.... ;
9 - Scott Butki
Ah, here is mine