Guerilla artist Banksy has directed a very alternative version of the famous opening sequence from The Simpson’s. The episode was screened in the US over the weekend and will hit UK screens later this month on October 21.
“MoneyBart”, which is the name of the episode in which the themed opening sequence, featuring Banksy’s name written on some of the famous Springfield landmarks, was (according to the BBC), apparently inspired by reports the show outsources the bulk of their animation to a company in South Korea.
Check out the sequence below, or if that has expires, see on the BBC website.
Chris Allinson
Oct 12, 2010 at 3:56 am
Wow.
This is very powerful!
Why would either “The Simpson’s” or “FOX” allow this to be aired.
The music is incredible!
The message is eye-opening!
kishwar
Oct 13, 2010 at 12:27 pm
First of all, the outlook in this representation is stereotypical of the citizens in rich countries.
Secondly, this is an exaggerated representation.
Thirdly, various other stereotypical outlook of the rich, specifically from the western part of the world, can be churned out from the apparently simple story-line.
For example, Asian countries are the most responsible for the degradation of wildlife and environment.
Fourthly, the representation of people is almost unconsciously racist.it reminds me of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.
Moreover, the intro represents a one dimensional reality. ( workers in s korea have no other way but to suffer inhuman working condition. ok. why don’t they have any other way? they had gradually been displaced from their land and livelihood due to the cunning investors of mining projects and in the name of development projects.)
Last but not the least, does not the controversy on the intro make the serial more popular? does not the narrative strengthen the capitalism instead of weakening it?
The good thing about this kind of representation is that consumers will be motivated for paying more for buying the products provided that such representations take place in plenty in the media.
But in the same time the focus is shifted away from the institutional loopholes of the capitalist system. the magic box — 20th century fox — at the end remains as mysterious as it was before.
Even a rationale for the survival of institutions like 20th century fox is also established so as not to ‘abandon’ the downtrodden workers in the East.
It will help foxes to take advantage in the global market in many ways. the foxes are now staging a drama of repenting. they will win an unseen sympathy from the consumer on the ground that they are aware of the exploitation of workers, degradation of environment, vulnerability of wildlife, and so on.
That the foxes are voluntarily exposing the dark reality also indirectly puts forward the assumption in the minds of the consumer that the the foxes have been aware and have been thinking about the prevention and cure. moreover, working conditions prevalent in Asian industries might also discourage the consumer to buy products manufactured by the Asians themselves — the young and energetic foxes.
So, old foxes are in a way foxing to win in the competition against the younger ones.
Nonetheless, i respect banksy for his adventure against capitalism.