I repeat, this is not a drill. This is the apocalypse. Please exit the hospital in an orderly fashion. Thank you. — Dogma (1999).
Earlier this week, it was revealed that my partner hasn’t seen the cinematic masterpiece that is the 1999 film Dogma. The news both shocked and delighted me, as it gave me an excuse to revisit a formative movie from my childhood with someone I love.
Between several failed attempts to get the voice control option on my remote to understand me, I excitedly told my partner how much I looked forward to discussing Dogma in the context of its 1999 release vs. current events. I was especially interested to hear his POV coming into the movie without the nostalgia factor I have toward Kevin Smith films.
Eventually giving up on my insubordinate-ass remote, I used my phone to search where the movie was streaming. Imagine my surprise to learn it’s unavailable for streaming basically anywhere thanks to sexual predator and gas station dumpster sludge Harvey Weinstein.
I truly didn’t see that one coming today. I guess I should’ve known, right? Another day, another power-abusing monster being somehow allowed to continue causing harm and exerting a disproportionate amount of control over others, despite having been exposed for his repulsive crimes.
No ticket: Critical thinking and media suppression
For those missing some of the cultural context to this injustice: Dogma is a satirical religious commentary wherein an abortion clinic employee is called upon to journey across the U.S. to stop fallen angels from bringing on the Apocalypse.
As you can imagine, the Catholic church had notes.
The movie drew enough controversy that Harvey Weinstein, whose company produced the movie, purchased the rights in 1999. It was licensed for release, but those deals pre-dated streaming and were allowed to lapse.
It’s been out of print since 2008, meaning access is limited to those lucky enough to own a functioning physical copy.
After Weinstein’s arrest in 2018, Smith tried to buy the rights to the film, but refused to bend to the exorbitant price Weinstein tried to extort from him. Smith claimed the movie was being held “hostage” as revenge for his open disgust and condemnation of Weinstein after learning the stories of the 80+ women accusing him of predatory behavior:
Rapists don’t openly act out in public. That’s something that you keep hidden.
— Kevin Smith, in reaction to news of Weinstein’s accusations
The suppression of Dogma isn’t just a Hollywood story, it’s an example of how power operates to silence critique. The parallels to current politics could practically draw themselves, but I’m happy to assist.
Under the current administration, the U.S. is being held hostage by an abuser who will do anything possible to exploit, silence, and manipulate others for his own gain. Just as Weinstein tried to bury a film that challenged religious norms and power dynamics, we’re seeing similar tactics play out on a national political stage.
Today, U.S. media is being heavily (and successfully) censored by conservatives in power, trying to write their sins out of history.
To the surprise of no one at this point, Donald Trump, accused sexual assailant of at least 27 women, actively covers up for and allows abusive behavior in others. He also apparently makes comments like this about them. →
I was so amazed that Harvey got schlonged; he got hit as hard as you can get.
— Donald Trump, in a recent reaction to news of Weinstein’s conviction. Ew.
An avid supporter of book bans and privatizing education, he’s currently doing his best to remove intersectionality from classrooms and workplaces. Most recently, he’s been targeting language related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; attempting to rip our humanity away from our own schools, jobs, and communities.
Another personal vendetta disguised as business. Another condescending insistence it’s for our own good. Anything he can do to withhold information and education from already underserved populations to manipulate and control them.
He makes threats against any media or individuals that express opposing views or paint him and his grimy buds in a negative (read: accurate) light. He’s been known to encourage and excuse violence to suppress dissent.
Much of this he does in the name of religion, though his actions rarely align with anything resembling actual religious values (loving ones neighbor, for instance).
What He [God] really hates is the shit that gets carried out in his name. Wars. Bigotry. Televangelism.
Meanwhile, religious zealots prove Dogma ‘s point about idolatry by gilding the man himself: multiply-convicted felon, sexual predator, and proud white supremacist Donald Trump into some deluded, wrathful idea of a God.
After all this time? (RIP Metatron)
When we talk about power — who wields it, who gets silenced — Trump and Weinstein aren’t separate narratives. They’re a damning look at the toxic network of male violence and institutional control. Both men have weaponized their platforms to punish those who dared to challenge them.
Whether blocking a film’s distribution or undermining press credibility, the goal is the same-silence dissent, punish resistance.
For those worrying that’d be the last you’d hear of Dogma: you obviously haven’t experienced enough of the Kevin Smith “View Askewniverse”.
Don’t worry, I’m a fan and yet I literally just learned that it was called that. Learning isn’t judged or gatekept here; it’s celebrated! Which is why I’m also excited to share that in Oct. 2024, after 15 full years of obstacles, Smith surprised fans with an announcement that Weinstein had finally sold the rights to Dogma.
A home video re-release and press tour for Dogma are likely to happen in 2025. Smith also teased that he’s been working on Dogma 2! I don’t know about you, but I’m highly looking forward to Dogma: Kevin’s Version.
Undoubtedly, he’ll have some thoughts on what’s taken so long.
Evil is an abstract: Fighting narcissistic rage with acts of community
Dogma was influential for me growing up, and not just because of a yet-unrealized attraction for Salma Hayek. I’ve always loved using humor to draw attention to serious issues in a way that makes it safe to ask questions and approach conversations about why things are the way they are.
Since regaining office this year (a nightmare I still hope to awaken from), Trump has made countless attempts to discredit, manipulate, and bully mainstream media into submission. These tactics have been alarmingly effective; which only making political satire and art more important and effective to a suppressed, fed up majority.
If we continue to allow this type of censorship, I worry for all our freedom of self-expression. The great news is that we can all take action against this type of silencing.
Abusers know they can’t stop us if we stay connected; that’s why they work so hard to sow divisiveness and keep information from us. As we’ve seen, the more of us who add our voices, the stronger and more difficult to ignore we become.
We’re already starting to see how communication and humor can be weapons for good, how effective they can be in building community while showing weakness of those exploiting their power.
Mockery is one of the only things Trump actually seems injured by; made obvious by his endless threats and public tantrums aimed at those who speak negatively (read: honestly) about him.
When he’s angry, he completely lets his mask down, which can be both a danger and an opportunity. In behaving like a toddler, he shows his entire ass to the world. Having dealt with a few narcissists in the past; knowing how much being mocked infuriates him only inspires me to watch, laugh, and engage more.
What becomes possible when we recognize and call out these patterns? When we refuse to let only the most powerful write the narrative?
The more fueled Trump is by his narcissistic rage, the more I actually believe we have to come out the other side of this soon. He’s getting too bold, showing his whole self, and it’s unsustainable.
While some of his Flying Monkeys will simply never believe a bad thing about him, I do think the more he shows his open disgust with the general public, the more followers (and thus, power) he’ll lose. It’s getting too hard to continue defending him.
How can you help break the U.S. free of this narrative? Seek out trustworthy media and art that makes you think critically about and question your beliefs. Don’t comply with illegal and immoral orders to remove inclusive language from your communications; in fact, lean into inclusivity. Love your neighbors harder as an act of defiance. Speak out publicly if you can, or find ways to show support in other ways if you can’t.
And for the love of Alanis Morrisette God specifically, keep laughing at Trump.
