You know, I kind of feel for Uwe Boll. After years of taking a critical beating for everything he put on celluloid the man went out and made a film that did everything he wanted it to, a film that has played to packed houses and very positive responses at a number of festivals, and now he's having a hard time finding screens to show it on commercially because exhibitors are afraid of the politics of the piece. That film, of course, is Postal, Boll's post 9/11 satiric look at fanaticism and politics and he's got a word or two to say to those out there who are refusing to screen the film ... read on!
Why I produced & directed ‘POSTAL’?
By Dr Uwe Boll
Since the 9/11 attacks, our world has gone through some dramatic changes - daily war and terror in Afghanistan and Iraq - a renewal of war between Israel and Lebanon - the continent of Africa experiencing civil wars, largely ignored by the world, as exemplified by Darfur.
The corporate and political leadership of the USA and Europe are engaged in a war, to prevent loss of economic control of the planet to China and India.
Fanatics and fundamentalists, cloaked in the robes of religion, seek to gain enough power to destroy our security and freedom.
On 9/11 several thousand Americans and citizens from many other nations became victims of a horrific terrorist attack, which was shown live on the US media. Since 9/11, more than ONE MILLION AFRICANS, JEWS and ARABS have died in terrorist's attacks, civil wars and wars. Their lives and deaths have not been featured by the western mass media. Does this mean that their lives had less value than the life of a NY stockbroker dying in the World Trade Center? The firemen and rescuers of 9/11, performed acts of heroism. Why are the unfortunate victims of 9/11 now portrayed as heroes, while those who continue to die around the world everyday are simply reported in the media as a statistic or a body count?
The American and European people are heavily swayed by a mass media, that supports the US war strategy. We have quickly developed an innate self-censorship, in order to survive this crazed and fragile state of existence. People are now afraid to speak their mind for fear of repercussions.
I believe the world is in need of a film that is tougher in its mockery of the globe than "SOUTH PARK". It’s time for an audience to approach this type of satire with live actors rather than cartoons.
Our present political situation is intolerable. We have deranged religious fanatics on one hand and lobbyists from the oil and weapon industries on the other. Both sides are actively working at destroying the planet. This world is slowly dying due to global warming and pollution caused by man’s corporate greed and stupidity. If intelligent people do not stop this madness, then our grandchildren will not experience life.
Postal’s objective is to insult all cultures, religions, political groups and leaders. No one is spared. The film is intended to provoke thought, laughter and open debate. Our world is out of balance and "POSTAL" will reflect just how fucked up we are.
I see myself as a member of the world community. I have no religious affiliation. Religion has often been a catalyst for the many crimes and wars throughout history. Religion allows people the opportunity to blame their actions on a higher source. We live in a world that is sensitive to people's religious beliefs. How ironic that non-religious groups fail to receive the same level of sensitivity from the establishment. I have nothing against religion and tolerate religious beliefs, but religion should be part of our private lives and not dictate our political decisions.
It's time to wake up!
Theatres who choose not to screen POSTAL exemplify what POSTAL is criticizing: self-censorship. The US film rating board (MPAA) liked POSTAL and gave it an R-rating. Why then is POSTAL being censored by some media and some theater owners? Today’s audience is tired of the same formula style movies. The success of BORAT clearly demonstrates the public desire for something fresh and challenging!
I produced and directed "POSTAL" to shock, stir, offend and entertain you !!!!!
Signed Dr. Uwe Boll
POSTAL is a fantastic film and really does deserve to be seen. Whether or not a person feels it achieves its creator's goals to stir discussion and debate (and I believe it can and does), I don't see how we can't applaud someone for trying to push film to say something more. Making this whole thing all the better and more surreal? It's Uwe-freakin'-Boll! Get out there and see POSTAL if you have the chance. If nothing else, you won't leave indifferent...
Eh...This film is alright, but it really shouldn't be censored...mostly cause I've seen most of the jokes made in the film on Television either on a sketch comedy show or South Park. In fact I'd say the film is tamer then South Park.
Actually one of the reasons the film didn't blow me away was that it wasn't that ridiculous. I also never really felt like I was watching a guy go Postal (most of the people he unloads upon totally deserve it in this films universe) Really, there is not much different between the film and one of those Scary Movie franchise spoof flicks.
Sucks for Boll though. I respect him as a producer.
Really, who else could have made this movie? No established director would risk their career on it, and no up-and-comer would be likely to survive the firestorm that surrounds it. Boll's untouchable - he's established that he can bring things in on time and on budget, and he's so critically reviled already that bad press simply isn't an issue. It's just more hate on the pile for the good Doc. I think he's right, we do need a movie like this now. Personally, I find catharsis isn't found in "serious films" like WORLD TRADE CENTER and UNITED 93... it's found in watching George Bush and Osama Bin Laden skipping through a meadow, hands interlocked. Those two guys really got the 21st century off to a lousy start. Damn right I'll laugh at them. Thanks, Dr. Boll.
I have no idea if the movie is good or total crap but from what Boll has said in that letter he has my respect and I will make sure to see it when I get the chance.
Garth. Why do you think he keeps making movies? Because his films make money. Why is there a Director's cut coming out for Alone in the Dark and a sequel coming out as well? Why is there a Bloodrayne 2? Why is there a House of the Dead 2? His movies do make money.
As for the letter. My respect for the good doctor started to rise after the he announced the boxing match back in the day and it's been rising ever since. Good on you mate. Maybe you should try to show it here in Iceland. We love this type of stuff.
How can you say that they don't make money and then that they do?
They do make money and just because they make most of it on DVD doesn't make it any less important.
Maybe Uwe should release it straight to DVD, I'm sure more people would see it and it would do good.
And the boxing match was a genius PR stunt that got HUGE attention, and that was the point. That and give him a chance to beat the shit out of critics who have bad mouthed him for so long. They took the challenge and got their ass handed to them, their fault not his. Nothing wrong with that.
Garth, you're judging the film on one clip. That's ridiculous. The whole is different - though equally bizarre and potentially offensive throughout (and if that isn't your cup of tea than so be it).
Boll may not be Bergman but at least he's trying to make a film about the world's condition - how many other filmmakers of much, much, much higher regard can say they're doing the same thing?
My POINT is that his movies make money on DVD. Did you read my initial post? "Does the good doctor realize that exhibitors want to make money?" This whole STORY is based on the fact that he's whining about EXHIBITORS not wanting his movies on their screens. We're talking about theatrical distribution. And it is an irrifutable fact that his movies DON'T make much money at the box office. And also, I asked "Why would they continue to give screens to someone who is a consistant box office failure?" which you somehow interpreted as me saying he shouldn't be allowed to make movies. Again, this is a story about him pissing and moaning about having a hard time getting THEATRICAL distribution.
I'm not sure how brilliant a PR stunt the boxing match was. I think most people who knew about it, knew about it because they were familiar with the good doctor and his shitty movie. If it was such a great PR stunt, why aren't the exhibitors going apeshit over his movie and lining up to show it on their screens? Isn't that what a genius PR stunt is supposed to do?
And Colin, I'm not judging the movie based on one scene. I'm deciding, based on one extended clip (one that, in his review, Todd says "let me know I was about to have to rethink everything I though I knew about Boll"), that this is not something that I would cross the street to see, or probably even change the channel to see. I'm not judging anything. I just hve zero interest at all.
And don't take this as me being offended, or as this "not being my cup of tea" because if you really knew me, you would know that this kind of flick SHOULD be right up my alley. Well, maybe it ISN'T my cup of tea, because I consider one of my cups of tea to be "funny stuff".
And you know what? I don't give a shit if he's trying to make a movie about the world's condition. I give a shit about paying money to see a movie and being entertained. If it's a horror movie, I would like to be scared. If it's a comedy, I would like to laugh. And to me, there is no greater sin a movie can make that for it to call itself a comedy and not be funny. This extended scene? Not funny to me. Not clever. And the trailer? Also, not clever and not funny.
I'm going to do what I see written on so many message boards about movies or comics or whatever. I'm going to vote with my wallet.