Movie

Passing Flickers

Name: Passing Flickers
Released: 1982

1982 • Unknown

Woke Score

1.4

out of 10

Plot

The main characters - the arrogant, harassed director, the sexy starlet, or naïve actors are familiar enough stereotypes. Along the way however, there is some fun to be had as more humorous incidents occur on the sound stage, together with dashes of nudity. Some of the events are presumably inspired by real life experiences, others have a distinct air of wishful fabrication. The over-the-top Kung Fu star, deserted by director and crew as he goes through his pointless extended routine, for instance. Or the action heroes, sweating in furs while they dutifully munch through their meal scene, 'snow' falling outside in studio land.

Overall Series Review

Passing Flickers is a 1982 Hong Kong comedy consisting of vignettes that satirize the inner workings, chaos, and personalities of a film studio. The story follows stereotypical figures like the arrogant and harassed director, the sexy starlet, naïve actors, a pointless Kung Fu star, and the crew, as they deal with the absurdities and vices of filmmaking. Plot points include humorous on-set incidents, dashes of nudity, and male crew members visiting a brothel. The film's critique is aimed solely at the egos and mechanics of the movie business, not at any broader societal or political structure. The content is rooted in 1980s studio cynicism and sexual humor, which is the antithesis of the modern 'woke' ideology.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

Characters are standard industry stereotypes defined by their roles and personal flaws, such as the arrogant director. The film is a universal satire of human folly in the movie business. There is no narrative focus on race, privilege, or systemic oppression, and no vilification of any specific group based on immutable characteristics.

Oikophobia2/10

The film satirizes the immediate, professional culture of the film studio and its personalities, which is not a deconstruction or demonization of the filmmaker's home culture, nation, or ancestors. The focus is on behind-the-scenes chaos and ego, not civilizational self-hatred.

Feminism3/10

The narrative features a 'sexy starlet' and male crewmen visiting a brothel with 'unglamourous working girls,' alongside 'dashes of nudity.' This content focuses on sexualized and stereotypical roles for women, which is the opposite of the 'Girl Boss' or anti-natalism tropes. The men are flawed but are not consistently emasculated for the purpose of promoting a perfect female lead.

LGBTQ+1/10

The plot contains no elements of centering alternative sexualities, deconstructing the nuclear family, or promoting gender ideology. The sexual dynamics presented are entirely traditional and transactional, typical of a cynical studio comedy from this era.

Anti-Theism1/10

The plot is entirely focused on the secular, ego-driven, and financial vices of the film industry. Traditional religion is not a factor in the narrative, and there is no hostility directed toward Christianity or any other faith. Morality is subjective due to the setting's cynicism, but it is not framed as a philosophical attack on objective truth.