The sil in "Beach", the pioneer leader in "1Q84", the historical Hong Xiuquan, and the Kezi in "Apocalypse Now", etc.-leaders trying to establish a paradise all have a lot in common. But in this film, the point is clear: fear. Fear makes the minds of these outstanding people more sober, and their souls become more and more degenerate. Nietzsche once said that mankind has too many fears, and the earth has long become a mental hospital. The development of modern civilization is far beyond the control of any individual. When people are overwhelmed, they have a different kind of feelings, that is, mourning for primitive civilization. In the sea of people, there is no lack of brave and persevering minds, trying to smash their bones for this mourning. They disappeared and built a paradise in the forest on the beautiful beach. The leader attempts to stay away from the world and establish his own celestial kingdom. There, they are far away from human civilization and very close to the sun. People follow their leader obsessively, taking every word of him as nectar to nourish themselves. It seems that this is a small society where people are self-sufficient, live and work in peace, harmony and joy, similar to "communism."
In these works, there will always be people from outside the group who do not belong to the group who deliberately or unintentionally break in, looking at these "kingdoms" from a secular perspective. In the eyes of the invaders, such "Xanadu" has a heinous mystery. The leader's every move has political, religious, and philosophical significance, and the worship of its followers seems so irresistible. It seems that this is a kind of "justice" far away from modern impetuous society. People who come here are gradually being infected in similar stories—albeit with different endings. Some people suddenly decide to abandon their plans to travel around the world, some abandon their family members and take root here, and some have hatred in their hearts. There will also be smarter people in the story. He gradually realized that the existence of this seemingly sacred and simple group will definitely go to the other extreme-totalitarianism.
And all of this begins with the leader and ends with the leader.
Still the same sentence: It's not heaven, it's not a peach blossom garden. The real dream of mankind cannot be shaped by fear, by avoiding and discarding, because you have to face it. How can a small society that exists in a big society avoid direct gaze and exist safely?
In these stories, the leader’s intelligence begins with fear that is more than that of ordinary people, and finally half of the courage of ordinary people.
As for the "Apocalypse Now", more than this issue is discussed, there are also many thoughts about the Vietnam War. The film is very long, and although it is hard to watch, it is a masterpiece with clear levels and clear themes.
And the mirror image of Taohuayuan, can you see through it.
View more about Apocalypse Now reviews
