Chinese Propaganda On the Set of ‘Red Dawn’

Red Dawn Header

If you aren’t aware, one of the most iconic films of the 80’s is being remade. That doesn’t really narrow it down for you, does it? OK, it was one of the most iconic films of the 80’s AND starred the late great Patrick Swayze. Got it now? Well we are down to two, so it’s either Dirty Dancing or Red Dawn. This original starred both Swayze and Jennifer Grey; dagumit! They were in both of those films; OK fine Red Dawn! I’m talking about Red Dawn people!

Last week we brought you some behind the scenes pictures of what appeared to be a Chinese plane after if crashed through a house on the set of Red Dawn. Now, thanks to the guys over at Red Dawn 2010, we have a first look at some propaganda being distributed by the invading enemy forces. I’ve included three of the more interesting pictures and you can go here for the rest of the collection.*WARNING THESE COULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE MINOR SPOILERS*

The first picture depicts China’s attempt to censor big media and the internet while putting down our leaders (current and past). The second is their attempt to brainwash us into thinking the invading army is here to help us because we are too blinded to see the truth on our own – They Are Here to Help. The last is the most chilling to me: it shows how the invaders are being accepted – how some Americans (in the movie) have rolled over and are now “helping” the transition by working in these “Friendship Centers”.

Red Dawn propoganda Poster 1

Red Dawn propoganda Poster 2

Red Dawn Chinese-American Friendship Center

I’ll be honest; my excitement for this remake was about 50% but for some reason these pictures give us a good insight to the script and the direction the writers are going to take. I’d say my excitement level has jumped to 75%. I like what they are doing here. In the 80’s, the cold war was dominate in world culture so it made perfect sense to have the Russians invading. With the fall of the Russian empire, that threat no longer exists. And, even though I was sure writers Carls Ellesworth (Disturbia) and Jeremy Passmore would go the extremist Islamic terrorist angle, it would appear they thought this through and choose a country that could actually have a theoretical chance of occupying U.S. soil.

If an invasion of this type were to actually happen, this is how I would see it happening – by starting in the mid-west rural areas hit hardest by the recession, trying to win the hearts of disenfranchised citizens with propaganda. Now, before I get slammed as an Anti-American, we are talking about A FICTIONAL MOVIE! I am merely addressing the story arc in which director Dan Bradley is working. I am by no means expressing my own political views on a movie blog; I am not Michael Moore!

Ellesworth and Passmore have set this new Red Dawn to the tune of today’s hot political times, and just like the 80’s original, it has sent a chill up my spine. Let’s hope the acting and action is done in such a way that it enhances that story.

SIDE NOTE: I don’t want this post thread to turn into a CNN vs Fox News political debate, so let’s all just remember this is a movie and keep the comments cordial. OR ELSE.