Boycott CRASS @ MUFF 2004 : Melbourne Indymedia

When I learnt that MUFF was going to be screening two films -- Semi Detached & Christ: The Movie -- by the anarchist punk band Crass (1977-1984) I was curious: after all, according to the festival's neo-fascist Director, Richard Wolstencroft, 'real-life violence' is objectionable "not from any moral perspective" but because "real life violence is the ultimate in bad manners. It is rude." He also openly admits to admiring Hitler, Mussolini and Mao; seemingly on the basis that these are powerful historical figures, and Wolstencroft worships power.

Crass, on the other hand, are well-known for both their anarchism and their pacifism, and their objections to violence -- as expressed in both film and music -- are rooted in a deep moral commitment to egalitarian social change. Further, they are notorious for having lampooned other 'powerful' historical figures: Margaret Thatcher as The Mother of A Thousand Dead, among others.

So I wrote to one of the filmmaker's -- Gee Vaucher -- to ask how Crass felt about their films being screened at the Festival, and to ask them if they were aware that an appeal has been made to boycott the Festival on the basis of its alleged promotion of fascist ideology.

(For more details, see Simon Castles, 'Storm in a despot', The Bulletin, May 26, 2004: http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/eddesk.nsf/0/57C5A54B2AD9D127CA256E960082C728?open)

The reply I received from Gee stated that she had tried to email the Festival organisers <info@muff.com.au> but was unable to reach them, and requested that I try and contact them on her behalf.

Her statement reads as follows:

"Dear people who organise the festival, it has come to our attention that you are showing two films made by GEE VAUCHER and MICK DUFFIELD at this year's event. Due to your not asking or informing us of your intentions we would be grateful if you could remove them from your schedule which I believe is allocated for Tuesday 13th July. Apologise for the inconvenience but maybe another time. With respect. Gee and Mick"

I've also tried to contact MUFF but, like Gee, have been unable to reach them. (It appears that their mailbox is permanently overflowing.)

In any event, I think it unfair of MUFF to profit from the labour of independent filmmakers, especially when permission to do so has been neither sought nor granted. I therefore think it appropriate for those who genuinely care about underground filmmaking to not support those who would so cynically exploit it; by not attending the film screening tomorrow and by asking MUFF to explain their decision to screen these two films.

For more on Crass:

http://www.southern.com/southern/band/CRASS/

For more on MUFF:

http://www.muff.com.au

For details on the screening:

http://www.muff.com.au/film_info/apocalypse_crass.htm

On anarchism and the fight against fascism:

http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/anarchism/fight/fascism.html