Shoot the Freak could be subtitled: F_ _ _ you all, This is how I live, Think about it for yourself. Shoot the Freak is an intriguing film that gets you into the head of those marginalized by society. This narrative has a strong documentary feel in that the filmmaker puts into words what this "freak" would have come up with, if his brain were not fried. Yes from alcohol, yes from drugs but also from the effects of society. A society where the good guys are "rich a _ _ holes" who "clean up" Coney Island by closing down the popular attraction "Shoot the Freak". If you're looking for profound thoughts from the target (the freak), don't spend much time on it. But from a sociological perspective the gestalt of his life is a profound statement. He directs his internal rage through the physically assaulting paint ball game. He senses power over the shooters. The film transitions from real life violence (paint ball aimed at a willing target) by a slow pan of the wires to a TV monitor of a video games: cyber assaulting. Now try closing down video games. No need to idolize him and you won't really ever understand his life. But civil libertarians would protect his right to live how he chooses as long as he is not hurting others. Who should watch this? Each of these groups will hear the freak tell them his message: -to the un-jaded youth and political progressives: don't emulate me, don't try to protect me, mind your own business. -to the cynical, politically social conservatives: don't judge me, don't try to convert me, mind your own business. The flickering visuals and slowed speech help capture the audience to watch this unsightly person. By putting himself as a target, he avoids getting numb to life, makes him appreciate life's moments. By getting attacked, a calmness comes over him that gives him a gods-eye perspective. But he lives a life of appreciating moments of life. He voices that there is "so much sh _ _ " (excrement) and he wants "everything to die". Yet there is more spiritual appreciation of life in this guy than in most humanists or religionist. Ya' gotta love this guy: he air-humps the ocean! Three tenets of his life: - His words say that he wants everything to die (especially to burn the flags), that things looked better all f_ _ _'ed up. - He thinks that brand new is not as good as all the stuff out there "to be got". - He sees god (the infinite) everywhere. In this we see a person who is a nihilist, an anti-nationalist (anti-war), a greenie and a spiritualist. Now that freak has to be stopped. The dictionary states that nihilism includes the rejection of institutions, skepticism and destructiveness in order to transform society. Psychology explains nihilism in terms of the inner conflict in one's mind and depression. Shoot the Freak redefines nihilism in terms of: F_ _ _ you all, This is how I live, Think about it for yourself. That is if he could put his thoughts in words. Instead this important filmmaker brings together the presumed polar opposites of nihilism and gracious spirituality. Be sure to re run the film by listening only and watching only. You'll see what I mean when his prolonged staring at the flickering light of the dancer's butt transforms to the infinite of the ocean and sky.
