Bizarre film trailer created by White House for Kim Jong-un is totally Trumpian
Before the press conference, before the shaking of hands by Trump and Kim Jong-un, the president played a video on an iPad for the North Korean leader.
Haven’t seen this before: Before POTUS comes out for press conference, WH shows a Michael Bay-esque video showing Trump and Kim, military weapons, bombs
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) June 12, 2018
Its mood can be described as cheesy Hollywood, with swelling music, a dramatic voiceover, Sylvester Stallone, a speedboat, and the words, “Destiny Pictures presents: A story of opportunity.” It is also totally in line with the reality show star’s approach to dramatic gestures and propagandizing.
Screen Capture, "A Story of Opportunity".
In other words, it’s very Trumpian.
Just one quote from the video will give you a bit of the flavor: “History is always evolving, and there comes a time when only a few are called upon to make a difference. But the question is—what difference will the few make? The past doesn’t have to be the future. Out of the darkness can come the light, and the light of hope can burn bright.”
The focus is very much on two possible worlds: one in which missiles are launched, lights go out, and the other promising that North Korea can have all of what people supposedly have in the United States, including “medical breakthroughs, an abundance of resources, innovative technology, and new discoveries,” as the voiceover says. The latter also features material things such as speedboats, skyscrapers, and white horses running on the beach.
Screen Capture, "A Story of Opportunity"
Because the video was shown to journalists before the meeting, it’s not quite clear who the intended audience is: the North Korean leader or Trump's fans and supporters. It's an extremely non-traditional diplomatic move, but one that perhaps has some merit (maybe) when you consider Kim Jong-un likely grew up under his father's love of Hollywood films. It also embraces one of North Korea's strategic pillars: propaganda.
The New York Daily News reports that Kim Jong-un seemed to like the video, stating that it seemed like a “science fiction movie.”
Other media companies, such as Vox, Gizmodo, and The Guardian, also had their takes on it.
I’ll leave it to you to decide what this is really all about. The transcript is below.
(And ... funny thing — up until late last year there actually was someone who billed himself as founder/producer of Destiny Pictures. I wonder if that guy is suddenly going to come into some cash.)
Transcript:
Seven billion people inhabit planet Earth. Of those alive today, only a small number will leave a lasting impact. And only the very few will make decisions or take actions that renew their homeland and change the course of history.
History may appear to repeat itself for generations—cycles that never seem to end. There have been times of relative peace and times of great tension. While this cycle repeats, the light of prosperity and innovation have burned bright for much of the world. History is always evolving, and there comes a time when only a few are called upon to make a difference. But the question is, what difference will the few make? The past doesn’t have to be the future. Out of the darkness can come the light. And the light of hope can burn bright.
What if... a people that share a common and rich heritage can find a common future? Their story is well known but what will be their sequel?
Destiny Pictures presents a story of opportunity. A new story, a new beginning. One of peace. Two men, two leaders, one destiny. A story about a special moment in time, when a man is presented with one chance which may never be repeated. What will he choose? To show vision and leadership? Or not?
There can only be two results. One of moving back. Or one of moving forward. A new world can begin today. One of friendship, respect, and goodwill. Be part of that world, where the doors of opportunity are ready to be opened—investment from around the world, where you can have medical breakthroughs, an abundance of resources, innovative technology, and new discoveries.
What if? Can history be changed? Will the world embrace this change? And when can this moment in history begin? It comes down to a choice. On this day. In this time. At this moment. The world will be watching, listening, anticipating, hoping. Will this leader choose to advance his country and be part of a new world? Be the hero of his people? Will he shake the hand of peace and enjoy prosperity like he has never seen? A great life or more isolation? Which path will be chosen?
Featuring President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un.... in a meeting to remake history. To shine in the sun. One moment, one choice, what if? The future remains to be written.
