Produced by Carl Christman, “Freedom Fries and Other Stupidity We’ll Have to Explain to Our Grandchildren”, explores the phenomenon of “hollow patriotism” that has been occurring for some time in the U.S. As the French Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, Dominique de Villepin, explicitly opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq following the attacks of 9/11 many, including Congress, took their own twist on sticking it to France for their “anti-American” behavior. Changing the name of a non-French dish, French Fries were renamed “Freedom Fries” on many menus including the Congressional cafeteria. Further, some decided that purchasing French wine and spilling it out in the gutter was another way to really make France sorry for their “anti-American” behavior.
The film takes a comical viewpoint on the media coverage and acts of individuals, for if we do not laugh the only thing left to do is cry at the stupidity that has purposely been programmed into a major part of the American people. Those pouring out the French wine thought they were the modern day Boston Tea Party, however, they forgot one little detail the tea was stolen. Purchasing French wine in order to pour it out, is not quite the same. Additionally, renaming a food product that is not French to begin with probably simply got some laughs out of the French. The fact that the U.S. Government showed support for such ridiculous acts only adds insult to injury, therefore a comical approach is really the only approach to take in regards to this “patriotism”.
The film goes on to show us the real agenda of the post 9/11 propaganda fed to Americans by mainstream media and even the President himself, asking Americans to shop in order to show the “terrorists” that they were not successful. Consumerism and patriotism fueling the stupidity of the American ignorant and promoting displays of ignorance. As the title suggests, how will we explain this to our grandchildren?
