The Dark Knight Rises: Horror, Stupidity and Consequences

While reading various accounts of the Aurora shootings that took place during a film premiere of the excellent “The Dark Knight Rises,” I see the rising of the scarecrow of irresponsibility that the authors and producers at the origin of these “ultra-violent” and dangerous incentives in films embody. This is an old debate fueled by rancid arguments that one might encounter with the various “inadmissible” artistic precedents in terms of their probable consequences. … I do not even want to mention them, sorry. There’s no desire, truly sorry. I’m sorry for these reactions.

Some, far from all moralist consideration, have no reason to get so up in arms. One comment from an article devoid of any sensationalism on the episode read, “It will serve to generate more advertising for the film,” and, “There’s an idiot born every minute,” to quote Pierre Perret. Here’s someone who had the good sense of relevant comments.

Would you have to be stupid to believe that such an event would benefit a movie? Even some die-hard fans have deserted the film’s preview at the Rex (in Paris), altogether chilled by the story. And the rest, far from rejoicing, were genuinely affected by the carnage.

As for the film distribution company, Warner Bros., it responded fittingly by canceling any promotion. It also managed to remove the trailer for the upcoming American movie “Gangster Squad” from screens, which was to run before “The Dark Knight Rises.” That decision may be a pragmatic advantage and very logical. All this probably was before they put it out for the rest of the world. We understand why after one hour and 53 minutes.

The resonance with what has happened is terribly disturbing. However, this is not a good explanation for all this interest. Also, taking the film back and deleting the passage in question, as the Los Angeles Times suggests, would be a shame, since it would give in to fear and guilt. This is quite a paradox in a country that prides itself on not bending to terrorism.

All that does not prevent me from having a strong desire to see this film–without the desire to go out and buy a Gatling gun to do the same, however. Anyway, here in France we do not buy weapons at will, unlike in the U.S., for example. And then on the other hand, this explains it.