Last week, Tara and I saw a rather strange and unpleasant film.
I would love to be able to discuss the film with someone who has seen it. I dare not recommend the film, however, because it is so bizarre in its content and so graphic in its violence.
That said, the film raised a number of interesting sociological issues for me about which I feel compelled to blog a bit.
The film to which I am making reference is BUG, written by Tracy Letts (who also wrote the play) and directed by William Friedkin (who also directed THE EXORCIST). The strangely-assembled cast includes Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, and Harry Connick, Jr..
The film focuses on the bizarre relationship between an emotionally scarred woman (Judd), recovering from a horribly abusive marriage, and an eccentric drifter (Shannon) who suffers from post-traumatic stress related to the Gulf War. Shannon’s character, driven by paranoia, believes that he was subjected to horrific scientific experimentation sanctioned by the U.S. government. More specifically, he believes that tiny aphids (bugs) have been placed under his skin in order to make him compliant.
The film depicts the two main characters’ downward spiral into an ever-deepening sociopathy as they pull one another into their personal stories and as they begin to foster solidarity against the world that they believe is out to get them.
One filmgoer describes BUG this way on the Internet Movie Database:
It’s a love story without the love, a surrealistic drug nightmare without the dependency of drugs. The saddest part of the tale is the fact that there is no love in this story, but instead both of the characters feel the need to find someone, anyone, to depend upon. They each get the other character sucked into their own nightmares, because, well, misery loves company…Do not believe this is a bug movie, it’s a paranoia one, but it is definitely worth seeing.
Like Kafka’s METAMORPHOSIS and even Chuck Palahniuk’s FIGHT CLUB (made into a David Fincher film), BUG seems to focus on the social alienation and debilitating paranoia that our unjustly compartmentalized world often nurtures.
Which brings me to these questions: How I am “bugged?” How are WE “bugged?” Where is it, in other words, that we find ourselves being sucked into the kind of sociopathy that a film like BUG brings to light?
Is the dynamic of road rage, for example, nothing but a manifestation of stress? Or is there more to it than that? Is road rage more the result of the paranoia of believing that every other driver is out to obtain something that rightfully belongs to us? Is our “bug” the egotism of believing that our vehicle is our personal kingdom and the road is our territory to be conquered?
Is the dynamic of racism merely the product of an unenlightened worldview? Or is that too simplistic? Is racism more the result of the paranoia of believing that people of color are attempting to gain control of our cultural or socio-economic territory? Is our “bug” the fear of what it might mean to relate to someone whose racial and cultural identity and perspective are very different than ours?
Last week, I spent several days in a time of Christian conferencing that figures prominently in my denominational tradition. It was a time of important decisions, vibrant worship, and much-needed reconnection with colleagues. But, on occasion, it was also a time of compartmentalization and alienation. Conservative versus liberal. Political posturing versus prayerful discernment. Inclusivity versus theological profiling. “Contemporary” worship versus “traditional” worship. Old versus young. Clerical collars versus neckties (or t-shirts!). All the different compartments seemed to be present and well-defined. It didn’t prevent Conference from becoming something good and rich. But our penchant for compartmentalization was certainly there.
Is all of that compartmentalization simply the inevitable result of such diversity within the denomination? Or does that explanation overlook deeper implications? Is the compartmentalization and alienation experienced at Conference more the result of the provincialism and territorialism of paranoid clergy and laity? Is our “bug” the ecclesiastical arrogance that would lead us to believe that our voice deserves to be heard more than someone else’s?
I don’t want to make too much out of all of this. But I don’t want to make too little of it either. BUG might not be a great film. (See it at your own risk!). But, when employed as a cinematic lens through which to explore culture and church, it may just bring some of the more unpleasant realities into sharp focus.
Eric…congrats on your election to GC. As for your thoughts, they are well received by this blogger.
Another good, thought-provoking post.
I am a compartmentalist. I’m not proud of that, but part of the problem (at least for me) is that compartmentalization makes it easier to form and maintain a consistent worldview…it’s always us vs. them, good vs. bad, light vs. dark.
The notion of the gray areas, however, is also deeply part of me, as it is with many in my (our) generation, so I often find myself the king of vacillation. Prayer and penitence, for me, seems to be a key prescription for all of this.
A few questions…
Both “Metamorphosis” and “Fight Club” (esp. Fincher’s film) are generational sighnposts, relatively important pieces reflecting the mood of their times. Do you see “Bug” on the same level?
While it may be that “ecclesiastical arrogance” favors one voice over others, would it be fair to say that the voice of the Great Tradition (Scripture, the early Church, and greats such as Luther and Wesley) ought to be heard above all others? Is it fair to argue that the Spirit speaks through the Tradition is a far more definitive manner than through our own or other contemporary voices?
Has our inability as a Conference to effectively reach the African-American population of western Pennsylavania been the result of paranoia and fear or just a lack of passion and commitment?
Is it fair to say, with all love, humility, and respect to the man and to women everywhere, that the Bishop shoots baskets like a girl?
Thanks, old man.
Ok! Consider me officially BUGGED! Add sexism and agism to your list of items for prayer and penitence, Keith. With all love, humility and respect, of course!
Welcome back from Conference, and congratulations on your Election to GC.
I hear from my dear friend Tara, NOT to see the movie, because of how disturbing it is. I am saddened, as it would provide me with the opportunity to have a meaningful and “smart” conversation with you about the anatomy and physiology of a bug!
Since I have nothing, I hear that the Bishop has huge feet, so who cares that he shoots like a girl!
Debra…I stand before you as a sinner!
I waited a couple of days to formulate my response. I have not seen the film, but I think I get what you are driving at.
There was a ton stigmatizing through stereotypes of theological world views and the calls for greater diversity and discernment in the process as well as the political wrangling that took place. We are diverse, but also divided along many fine lines. I don’t know if this is good or bad.
I am in a unique position being on incapacity leave. I was able to keep a healthy distance from what went on during conference. But one thing that struck me was that through all the compartmentalizing that we do, love and compassion still cut across all the walls we build up.
Many people…some conservative, some liberal…some young and some old…some high church and low church…some superintendents and some local pastors took the time to offer me support, compassion and encouragemnet in my journey through depression. Some even chose to share their own experiences and journeys. I walked away from conference assured that love is still our great uniting principle. I felt loved. I saw the divides that were present, but I felt the love of God operating above any agendas.
It gave me great hope for the church and for myself. I hope this makes sense.
Good thoughts my friend. Always good to hear the wrestling that goes along with your thought. And about the push up contest (name the place) maybe we’ll make it into a triathalon push ups, marathon, situps (just no basketball contests)… But in all seriousness its awesome to see you going to GC. Grace and peace, John
Good to hear from yinz!
Keith…to your questions:
Not really. I think that BUG aspires to that level, but lacks the kind of quirkiness and cult-following that are required to reach it. Quite frankly, I think that DONNIE DARKO stands a much better chance of becoming a “generational signpost.”
Absolutely. In fact, beyond fair, I believe that it is essential for us to hold this viewpoint. However, as I have maintained before, I believe that it is possible and necessary for us to hold this conviction without a spirit of paranoia concerning other viewpoints. My fear is that much of the compartmentalization occurs, not because of our commitment to the great tradition, but because of our reliance on presuppositions and stereotypes (without actual theological dialogue). But that’s just my gut feeling.
I wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss either of these possibilities. When talk of racism in our conference is immediately labeled “politicking,” I have a hard time not seeing that as a manifestation of social paranoia. But our lack of commitment is not to be minimized either.
I refrain from commenting on this one, only because the Bishop made more baskets than I ever could! After all, I was a wrestler. I can only play full contact basketball.
Randy…I’m glad that Conference was such a good experience for you. It was great to see you there.
John…I’ll take the push up and sit up portions of the contest…forget the marathon. I never did one of those, even in my younger days! Perhaps we’ll just agree to make our way into middle age gracefully!!!!! Thanks, bro.