Pavsek

I was hoping to show a short video of mine "The One and All", about
patriotism and religiosity in the US since September 11. (running time:
7 minutes)  I could also talk before or after the film about strategies
for alternative representation in film/video of the current situation.



The film is a highly layered montage of found footage, stills, found
audio and some original footage that attempts to create a form of
immanent criticism of the representation of American patriotism in the
contemporary media.  The title, "The One and All", comes from the
famous quote from Adorno: "no universal history leads from savagery to
humanitarianism, but there is one from the slingshot to the megaton
bomb. The One and All that keeps rolling on to this day--with
occasional breathing spells--would teleologically be the absolute of
suffering."  The mythical narrative of liberation inherent in US
rhetoric--the protection of civilization from barbarism, the defense of
freedom against terror/tyranny, etc.--finds its truth content in the
religious rhetoric of sacrifice that accompanies it at every turn: in
the same breath, the President speaks of defeating the medievalist
regime of the taliban while celebrating the willingness of children to
offer their fathers' lives for the cause of human liberty, etc. etc.


The title also refers to the tendency of patriotic rhetoric to infuse
every aspect of our daily lives, from the highest levels of political
machination to the most minute aspects of our interpersonal
relationships and private consumption.  All of it today is to be
informed by this "one and all" of our patriotism: we shop for the
victims of 9-11; we pray for our victory; we travel to Disney World to
show our unity, and so on.



If it's not too late to submit, I can send you a formal submission with
whatever materials you require.


Thanks for your consideration,



Christopher Pavsek

Assistant Professor of German

Haverford College