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Jimmie Finger-gunns said Free Palestine and we love him for it!

The Guardians of the Galaxy director wrote the script years ago with the intent of adding more light and Superman-like inspiration for unrelenting justice, goodness, and playful energy for the masses. I knew this superman would be different the moment I saw Krypto in the trailer. (Spoiler Alert!)

Throughout the movie, there was a consistent act of saving animals big and small in a way that I’ve yet to see from other superhero movies besides Guardians of the Galaxy. In doing so, it's a reminder to the audience that human life does not have more intrinsic value than all other animals.

Center stage is the allegory to the Free Palestine and Free Ukraine movements as well as that of immigrant rights. Superman—the alien—comes under fire for doing all he can to prevent a war that is orchestrated entirely by a racist, psychopathic politician and a power-hungry narcissistic billionaire fueled by envy. Lex Luther, like all billionaires—is the unelected meta human dictating geopolitics—which the US government accuses Superman to be. This tension between morality and politics lands Superman in an unknown pocket universe (ie. a concentration camp like Alcatraz) filled with martyrs, political dissenters, and anyone else Lex does not like.

Needless to say, music is one of the most significant facets of life and forms of art. I’d venture to say it's the eighth wonder of the world. I say that as it transcends the boundaries humans attempt to hardline—from language, to borders, and species. Birds sing and bees dance. Just like us, these acts keep them alive. As an act of radical love, I made you a playlist. I hope you like it. :3

If culture is a collection of “fossilized stories” as Dan Kwan once put it, then filmmaking is a practice of both excavation and deposition. The anthropologist in me cannot undermine the significance impact that film and television have on culture as an art of storytelling. Movies like Mickey 17 by Bong Joon Ho offer critiques on the human capacity to perpetuate colonial fascism and austerity beyond the globe in the act of escaping the consequences of our disregard for life on Earth. A class conscious cautionary tale to heeded.

Lastly—as attacks on art, intellectualism, and free speech become increasingly aggressive the video essays and news commentary of non-corporate sources is essential. Be it generational or not, influencer culture is an evolution of thought leadership. At its best, these sources of information and inspiration are the reason why social media can be an instrument of good.

I offer three playlists to help you experience the joy and community of art in motion.

Here’s a spotify link!