In the pantheon of genre directors, no one is more celebrated than John Carpenter. A former USC film student whose thesis film Dark Star evolved into a feature length grind-house film, Carpenter has gone on to become one of the most successful director of the Horror and science fiction genres. Most of Carpenter's films have garnered a substantial cult following (Most notably Halloween and his 1982 remake The Thing). Not surprisingly, many of Carpenter's films have hidden or subtle social and political commentary. No film better exemplifies this than his 1988 low budget science fiction thriller They Live. The film, like it's alien antagonists, hides its true intentions from the viewer initially. Because behind its pulp sci-fi coverings lies a sly, deeply subversive commentary on commercialism, oligarchy, right-wing political ideology and advertising. Ironically, this film was so inventive in its critique of commercialism, it inspired graphic designer Shepard Fairey (An Idyllwild Arts graduate) to create a series of graphic posters and clothing line that have become extremely popular. within the mainstream
John Carpenter with actor Roddy Piper on the set of They Live
The film follows an unnamed drifter (played expertly by former WWF wrestler Roddy piper) who stumbles upon a box full of sunglasses which when worn unveil subliminal messages imbedded into everything we read, view or watch on tv. Messages like "This is your god" on our currency and "Do not question authority." are planted into the subconscious of the populace. Materialism and complacency become the new weapon of choice of these Reagan era xenomorphs (who resemble the creatures from the Topps cards "Mars Attacks" series).
Shepard Fairey's famous "Obey" graphic inspired by "They Live"
Artist Shepard Fairey was inspired by the film "They Live"
The film is a wonderful jab a modern conservatism, politics and our endless need for commercialism. Hopefully one day Carpenter will be appreciated for his sometimes complex and subtle nuances within a genre that goes often unappreciated as an art form.
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