Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
Unfortunately, an otherwise decent movie was ruined by gratuitous anti-semitism of the new left Jeremiah Wright-David Duke hybrid variety.
The lead bad guy is a Russian speaking Jew (oddly named Christo) in the Ukraine whose specialty is smuggling drugs from Mexico into the into the US (at least he did not confess to developing the AIDS virus to target blacks). The scene introducing him shows him as a hook-nosed, snaggle-toothed, import from a Goebbels poster speaking with a New York Jewish accent. Late in the film, it is gratuitously announced, by an American interrogator, that Christo is Jewish (more below).
The other lead bad guy is Christo's childhood friend (unclear whether he also was Jewish) who is now a Chechen terrorist leader (having adopted the nomme de guerre "Abu Shamal"). Abu Shamal is purported to be a convert to Islam (although it is unclear whether he is sincere).
The main actual Muslim characters in the film are innocent looking Filipinos (stereotypes of people intimidated/duped into their roles rather than more active intellectual participants) who are used by Abu Shamal to smuggle suicide bomb vests into the US via Christo's smuggling routes. Abu Shamal conspicuously does not join in their Islamic prayers, thus further drawing his conversion into doubt (originally hinted at by Christo mockingly addressing him by his Russian name).
In the scene where the interrogator notes Christo's Jewishness relative to the Muslim nature of Chechen terrorists, Christo goes into an odd soliloquy about some sort of yin-yang relationship with Abu Shamal since their childhood in which America is now in the middle. Because this dates back to their childhood, it must be Christo's Jewishness rather than his friend's Islam that is the driver. Christo also appears to not well hold his Russian accent, sounding more and more New Yorker during the course of the interrogation. Again, this seems in line with much modern anti-Semitism wherein Islamic terrorism is asserted as encouraged by Jews.
Christo's Jewishness added nothing to the film. If anything its gratuitous addition only created confusion.
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Comments:
Oct '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
I am extremely disappointed to hear this. I had planned to see the movie last night, but we missed the 7:45 and the next showing was at 10:20 so we decided to go today instead.
Should I see it now? I was really excited to see a movie with Navy SEALs and wanted to show my support for the military symbolically by buying a ticket.
Did anyone else see it? Is it really anti-semitic? I'm not doubting you, ctlaw, it's just that this is a big (disappointing) surprise.
Nov '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
Extremely distressing. I, too, would like to hear from others, but given your description, including your expectations, I am not hopeful.
May '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
Just Google:
"act of valor" jew
for things like:
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/47577/outrage-navy-seals-movies-terrorist-is-jewish-tortures-murders-cia-agents-smuggles-jihadists-into-u-s/
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2012/02/dont-see-act-of-valor-seals-battle-the-jew.html
Edited on February 26, 2012 at 5:34pmMar '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
Gee, ctlaw, if you are going to work that hard at being offended, I wouldn't want to take it away from you.
There is literally as much made of Christo never having seen Star Trek than there is about his Jewish heritage. My grandmother never watched Star Trek, therefore the movie-makers are saying that my grandmother must have been in league with Chechen terrorists?
Pfui. If you honestly think that this was anti-Semitic, then why did none of the liberal movie critics pick that ball up and run with it?
Feb '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
It was given an enthusiastic "must see" review from Michael Medved whom I trust in these matters.
Sep '10
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
I saw it (see my post below) but that aspect escaped me completely. Maybe it was because the guy calls himself "Christo".
Oct '10
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
If that was the intention of the Christo's characterization, the point was completely lost on me. The thought would not have even occurred to me had I not read the claim in this post. I'll concede it might have gone over my head.
The point I drew from their relationship was that they were close as children and it was based on their history that they entered into partnership; Shamel had the intention whereas Christo had the means. Also, it was noted that the current relationship was tense and strained. Christo felt the person from his past was not the same as whom he found himself helping. America was in the crossfire of this strained relationship.
The problems with the Russian accent could have just been bad acting without malicious, anti-Semitic intent. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and went in wanting to cheer for our troops on screen without the plot trying to tell to me I should feel guilty about it.
And it can't help but humble you in your seat when you see the names of those lost in service since the World Trade Center/Pentagon attacks.
Sep '10
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
He does have a big nose, too, but again this didn't ring any alarm bells for me. Maybe because I'm not Jewish; maybe because the stereotype never made sense to me. Growing up on the east coast I had lots of Jewish playmates and my nose was bigger than theirs...
Edited on February 26, 2012 at 6:39pmMay '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
The point is that the modern left is anti-Semitic. I was initially surprised that the villains appeared to be Muslims (expecting the modern Hollywood/Mike Bloomberg trick of replacing them with white supremacists). I noticed the original hook-nosed, New York accent, things, but wrote them off as bad acting by a non-actor (not knowing that the role was being played by a professional actor). The "You are Jewish" sentence interrogation scene was a slap in the face because it was so gratuitous and unnecessary.
Edited on February 26, 2012 at 6:07pmMay '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
That would only evidence that the reference to Christo being Jewish was gratuitous. What did the words "You are Jewish" by the interrogator add to the movie?
Apr '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
Well I guess this could be another reason not to go see this movie. The first being that from its previews I had no idea what the plot was about. All I know is that it involves "Real Navy Seals"! This is not the premise of a movie it is a gimmick. At best I predicted this movie would be an add for the US Navy...I guess the worst is worse than I would have imagined.
It is good to know though that conservatives every where were pitching this movie as an affirmation of conservative values..."Buy a ticket, support the troops"....rubbish.
Oct '10
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
ctlaw
That would only evidence that the reference to Christo being Jewish was gratuitous. What did the words "You are Jewish" by the interrogator add to the movie? · 10 minutes ago
You say gratuitous, I might say superfluous. Again, that line didn't jump out to me. I don't think it added anything but I don't think it took anything away either.
In terms of characterization, the writers may have thought mentioning his religion would reinforce the values of that religion toward family importance. Therefore it would make the argument more compelling as to why the interrogation would appeal to the villain and foster cooperation. If so, that'd humanize his character.The writers cannot control how you interpret their work.
Edited on February 26, 2012 at 10:13pmSep '10
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
ctlaw
That would only evidence that the reference to Christo being Jewish was gratuitous. What did the words "You are Jewish" by the interrogator add to the movie? · 10 minutes ag
o
I agree. It was gratuitous and added nothing to our understanding of the character or plot.
One consolation: if the filmmakers really were trying to make anti-Semitic propaganda, then they did a pretty ineffective job, since I never noticed it. Then again, as my earlier comments indicated, the stereotypes of Jews never made sense to me growing up, so maybe I'm an outlier.
I don't understand what they were thinking--it's gratuitous and detracts from an otherwise good film.
Mar '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
Ok, in my opinion, the "you are Jewish" line was in keeping with the fact that the CIA guy was showing how far into Christo's wheelhouse the Agency already was, to shut down any effort to attempt to deny that they had the right guy. That was the point of showing Christo the video of him and his daughter -- it was their way of saying "we know who you are, we've been watching you for a while, don't try to play us."
Did the Chechen know Christo was a Jew?
Mar '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
ctlaw
The "You are Jewish" sentence interrogation scene was a slap in the face because it was so gratuitous and unnecessary. · 2 hours ago
No it was an utterly trivial and minor plot point that you are obsessing over for no rational reason. You are being silly.
If one wishes to be offended it is certainly trivial to manufacture outrage and perceive slights in whatever catches your fancy. Perhaps I shall entertain myself on some liberal internet boards exclaiming my indignation over Mexican nationals portrayed as members of a drug cartel. Clearly the directors are filled with loathing for Hispanics. There is no other explanation.
May '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
The issue of gratuitousness goes to the combination of falseness and lack of necessity. You can't make a realistic movie about smuggling across the border without addressing Mexican drug cartels. Thus, your indignation would be unjustified, especially in view of the fact that the producers provided numerous positive Hispanic/Latino characters.
It would, however, be interesting to hear from Filipinos about the portrayal of Filipino characters. There seems to be a tension between the PC motivation to not cast them as more active participants, on the one hand, and racist stereotypes of them being incapable of thinking for themselves and needing white people to think for them, on the other hand.
Jul '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
I noted the reference in the movie too but chalked it up to the nature of illegal arms dealers caring about very little beyond their business.
I will tell you all this right now. Either the 21st century is defined by the deaths of hundreds of millions of islamic warriors, terrorists and their countrymen or it will be the end of the west. The sunshine of the information age has worsened the situation secondary to the complacency of political correctness.
Mar '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
Oh for pete's sake. The American Right are the biggest defenders in the world of Israel and Judaism outside of Israel itself. Are we really going to start doing the same PC self-censorship on our movies that the left does on theirs?
Oct '11
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
I'm going to see it at 8:10.
May '10
Re: Act of Valor = Act of Anti-Semitism
I don't call every movie with a corrupt bishop or a faithless priest or a drunk Irishman, or whatever, anti-Catholic.
Are there no criminal Jews in the world?
If a Jew is portrayed in an unflattering light, must it be motivated by antisemitism?
Edited on February 27, 2012 at 12:38am