F: Is for 300 reasons of film

It is said films shape and reveal our world that they speak what we are afraid to say. The more the media hits the target and is controversial the more the film is shown as a fantasy. The question is, is it? On March 9, 2007 a film broke box office records and although critics were divided over its look and style, they agree it as an original achievement. While some accused it of favoring visuals over characterization. Controversy has arisen over its depiction of the Persians. Saturday night I went to the IMAX Theater to see 300. It has been the talk of my community and friends and I now understand why it has been so acclaimed. Not being one for blood and guts and movies of war this one makes several points. The analogy of Bush and Iraq is a little hard to miss. When my friend David asked me why it had broken box office records my response was as a nation we are obsessed with war and freedom. We are being manipulated into thinking we are free but considering the recent events wouldn’t this be called tyranny.

The film is an adaptation of a comic book. Filmed in Montreal. It was shot over the course of 60 days in chronological order with a budget of $60 million. 300 was released in North America on March 9, 2007. It grossed $28,106,731 on its opening day and ended its opening weekend with $70,885,301. It broke the previous held record for March. 300's numbers so far have made it the 19th best in box office history. This film also set a record for IMAX cinemas with a $3.6 million opening weekend. 300 opened two days earlier, on March 7, 2007, in Sparta, and across Greece. The Greek gross of $2.9 million set a new box office record. In Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, the film opened simultaneously with the American release, with a total overseas gross of $6.2 million. 300 grossed $127.5 million after its second weekend, when it once again topped the box office despite a 56% drop in attendance. As of April 1, 300 has made over $308 million worldwide. Can you imagine the video sales and rentals? The marketing of this film is genius so tomorrows column is A:Is for the art of marketing. Director Zack Snyder stated in an MTV interview that "The events are 90 percent accurate. It's just in the visualization that it's crazy. I've shown this movie to world-class historians who have said it's amazing. They can't believe it's as accurate as it is." Paul Cartledge, Professor of Greek History at Cambridge University, advised the filmmakers. He has published works on Sparta and is an authority in this area. He praises the film for its portrayal of the Spartans heroic code, and of the key role played by women. However several of his colleagues dispute what he says so Wednesday's column is C: Is for the clash of the cinema.

In a nut shell the plot is as follows: In the midst of the Persian-Greco war, Spartan King Leonidas leads his army of 300 soldiers into battle against the invading Persian army during the Battle of Thermopylae. According to legend, their valor and sacrifice inspired all of Greece to unite against the Persian foe, leading to the origins of democracy.

The film's portrayal of ancient Persians has sparked a particularly strong reaction in Iran. Azadeh Moaveni of the Times reports that there was "outraged" following the film's release. The Iranians view the Achaemenid Empire as "a particularly noble page in their history." The Iranian Academy of the Arts submitted a formal complaint against the movie to UNESCO, labelling it an attack on the historical identity of Iran.The Iranian mission to the U.N. protested the film in a press release, and the Iranian embassy has protested its screening in France, Thailand, Turkey and Uzbekistan. In absorbing this film one is struck with Bush's obsession with Iraq and his unwillingness to see the harm his rein is causing the American public. Once a country in power and sought after for advise, we have become in debt, hated and loathed and we sit in wonderment at why? My first impression of the Spartans and their ways had me disgusted for they seemed without loyalty, love and compassion except for country. As the film progressed I realized I was judging without all the F.A.C.T.S in place. These were a people who worked as a team and became one. Who were loyal beyond measure hiding emotion least they fail. These were men and women of honor who the word "Noble" was coined. For they stepped out of self for the greater good. They cared not about fame or glory but the betterment of mankind. They were selfless. My entire column this week will be on the issues in this remarkable film as there are just too many to cover. In a world where ego seems to be God, this story hopefully will shed light on humanity and open its eyes to the F.A.C.T democracy is crumbling.