Irony? Karma? Inevitable? Film Championing Communist Crushed By Piracy
by Big Hollywood
Director Steven Soderbergh blames piracy for the box office failure of ”Che,” which made less than half of its budget back:
“We got crushed in South America. We came out in Spain in September of last year and it was everywhere within a matter of days. It killed it.”
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138 Comments
Hee hee!
This is their desired result, if they like communism! Its the PEOPLE's Che Movie! Viva la Revolucion!!! (not sure of the spelling since I don't ever use this phrase!)
I am sure I received and email from Bush & Cheney with the link for the pirated version of the film.
I don't wanna go meta- here, but "It's like meeting the girl of your dreams, and finding out she's five."
/I miss 90s MTV
They Pirated the movie Che' and cheated a corporation out of their capitialist profits?
Viva la Revolution….
This reminds me of when Rage Against the Machine released their album Battle of Los Angeles, and soon discovered that their 15 to 25 year old demographic had an affinity for downloading the album without paying for it. They had to pretend that they didn't mind, since that would go against their Marxist principles. I'm sure it was painful to lose all that money and then pretend you didn't care.
It was a right wing conspiracy to keep the nobel "El Che's" story supressed!!
This reminds me of when Rage Against the Machine released their album Battle of Los Angeles, and soon discovered that their 15 to 25 year old target market had an affinity for downloading the album without paying for it. They had to pretend that they didn't mind, since that would go against their Marxist principles. I'm sure it was painful to lose all that money and then pretend you didn't care.
This reminds me of when Rage Against the Machine released their album Battle of Los Angeles, and soon discovered that their 15 to 25 year old target market had an affinity for downloading the album without paying for it. They had to pretend that they didn't mind in order to uphold their Marxist principles. I'm sure it was painful to lose all that money just to avoid admitting that your ideas are wrong.
This reminds me of when Rage Against the Machine released their album Battle of Los Angeles, and soon discovered that their 15 to 25 year old target market had an affinity for downloading the album without paying for it. The band had to pretend that they didn't mind in order to uphold their Marxist principles. I'm sure it was painful to lose all that money just to avoid admitting that your ideas are wrong.
Maybe the movie failed because it was a lousy movie about a lousy subject with a lousy running-time and a lousy spokesman (Benicio del Toro). Can't the workers' paradise of Cuba save it? After all, it's about one of their heroes. Oh, well, they'll still make a profit off the tee-shirts.
the true marxist loves losing money
Ben and Jerry
and Gillette
they would rather lose money than sell out to the capitalist empire!!!
I am sure I received an email from Bush & Cheney with the link for the pirated version of the film.
So the man who made a movie about a communist thug is angry that 1) people are violating his intellectual property rights and 2) he didn't make enough money. Har! You really can't ask for richer irony than that.
Let me see if I have this straight. A movie glorifying a Communist murderer, made by a capitalist with the intent of making MILLIONS of $$$$, a movie that COST MILLIONS of $$$$ to produce, when introduced into the FREE capitalist market, LAYS an OSTRICH SIZE EGG, i.e. BOMBS at the box office, LOSES LOTS of $$$$$$ and the CAPITALIST is blaming people for STEALING the movie….Cool..that makes me smile!
I already saw a thing about him on Biography…or E! True Hollywood Story…Che'…Benicio, patato, potato.
That's why Hanoi Jane was wearing her shirt the other day, trying to make a profit. Good catch Lawhawk.
How true! For all of their calling of "comrade" this and that, they sure do cannibalize each other much more bitterly than we "greedy capitalists" do, don't they? They're like Sith! (With apologies to Sith everywhere.)
Ya, Ben & Jerry believe in income redistribution…very noble of them. Even the cows get a "living wage" in "The People Republic of Vermont".
Costumes were drab too. Not much color in a communist movie.
I thought just the L.A. and Frisco box office alone would really move this flick to the top! Kinda like "We're were hoping mid terms would really pump up our GPA!"
I guess the same ruthless scum who pirated this fine movie decided NOT to pirate Pixar's "UP" or "Taken" or the latest Harry Potter film…all of which are making huge profits.
Get a life! If somebody GAVE me a pirated disc of this movie about the life of a murdering scumbag, I would trash it.
animals have rights too!
they deserve the right to vote and social security benefits. They work like 7 days a week
Dear Steven,
Do films get abortions?
If I dropped a turd, I would be looking to blame it on someone too.
Perhaps, the movie simply was awful/
I just find it amazing that anyone other than premiere attending celebrities and elitist critics had any interest in seeing this movie. Glad to hear it tanked.
Any large budget movie shot in Spanish and opening only in Spanish speaking countries is a big risk. That's why even a well known liberal director seeking financial backing from communist sympathizers in Hollywood couldn't find any.
Also consider, with a far left leaning government and the associated dampers on the economy, the Spanish couldn't afford to spend big money going to the show. In South America, Che was a big time revolutionary, but the majority of the people in South America, having long ago thrown off the yoke of colonialism, long for free market and free government opportunities. In other words -THEY DON'T LIKE COMMUNISM
It didn't matter how many liberal socialist (with your tax dollars, not theirs) communist sympathizers from Hollywood and elsewhere told Soderbergh there was no money in this, he believed he couldn't lose.
Just like Obama and his economic team.
you dare deny the wisdom of the Hollywood actor? They are informed, unlike you, anonymous internet person.
Okay, Stevie, let's review the bidding here. You expected to make a bundle in the Spanish-speaking world because it's a built-in audience, right? Like JRR Tolkien fans, but with hotter women, no? Except one little detail you overlooked, amigo-
Your built-in audience are all COMMIES, you twit! OF COURSE they'll take it without paying for it!!!!!!
Serves you right.
I would no sooner watch this movie than I would watch that cheesey World Report with Dan Rather "news" program on Direct TV with the oh so nauseating promo they are currently running. These guys keep making movies that suck and offend most Americans and wonder why they tank? I mean, really, what can they be thinking? Watching "Che" would be the same to me as pumping the loud rock music into Noriega's compound was to him. Nobody will watch it, but it will no doubt get oscar buzz (benicio gives the most powerful performance by a male lead since algore.)
it is amazing how much money the communists can make in a capitalist economy
Not many people know that Vladimir Lenin was actually Darth Maul in a past life.
Normally, I'm against pirating films, but in a case like this…hmmm…
I don't mean to change the subject, but here's some news that will make more than a few BH-res smile. CNN has chosen NOT to renew the contract of Susan Roesgen that supefyingly unprofessional "reporter" bimbolina who was attacking all the Tea-Partiers on air this past spring. It appears there actually is a bottom on CNN's barrel.
By comparing this film to a turd, you insult fine turds everywhere.
Saw it. Its called Karma!
I heard the Transformers movie was pirated too. Look how badly that did.
Oh well, time for Steven to fall back on the "it not about the money, it's about the art" cliche.
This just in…Merriam-Webster has recently defined Che
Function noun
Date 2009
Origin Hollywood, Washington DC
1 a multimillion dollar excrement that nobody wants to be associated with or any credit after making usually a film or tv show
2 a multi-billion or trillion dollar piece of legislation that consists of multiple pages that are never read before called for a vote that have widespread effect on the population
The pungency is known to be life threatening, and all sorts of colloquial references are appearing. Soderbergh dropped the cHe bomb on himself and destroyed his career in the process. Obama's Health Care Che destroyed the US in one fell p(sw)oop.
As I have said before, some things are just beyond irony. This is certainly one of them. I mean, honestly, did Soderbergh really expect anyone to rush out to their local first-run and plank down twelve bucks to see THIS? Doesn't sound like he's expecting much from the DVD after-release market. I'd like to think that Hugo Chavez scored a bootleg copy off the streets of Caracas within an hour after the film's release.
Ben & Jerry sold their company to UNILEVER.
I'm crying a river for Steven Soderbergh that he got talked into Che by Guevarra super-fan Benicio Del Toro.
If all it takes is a a few conversations to get Soderbergh to take on a half-baked project, maybe he's not the braniac everyone makes him out to be.
ARRRRR Avast,.. tis a fine day fer pilferin and pillaging ain't it Mr. errrrr.. what be yer name again laddie?
What self spectin buccaneer could resist the fine oppurtunity presented here afore me fine vessel. Che'' Che'' don't remember his name at the bounty gatherin, .. eee sure looks like one of us fine sea going brethren though, he must be, Ye can tell by the close set eyes, the ruthless set of his jaw, ye know he'd pleased and proud to hoist the Jolly Roger over the smolderin ruin of these rich Holly wooded gentlmen, scalywags, one and all they be too.
Set sail me lads,.. this booty be of special worth,. some feller named Kim would fetch op a pretty price to show this to his latest kidnapped concubines.. but may chance.. Raul would pay a higher bounty?
off me lads. off with ye.
….
…
what?
look, I'm disabled, and sometimes the meds are really effective. or, blame my damaged sense of humor, either way, you have to adore the irony with an atomic weight this heavy, like the core of the sun.
I thought it lost money because it sucked. Also I got a news for Mr. Soderbergh. His film was a flop on torrent sites and usenet. Very few wanted to waste their bandwidth on his communist loving opus.
While we can all revel in this rebuke of disproven ideas, perhaps we should arrange an outreach. Someone send him a bouquet of cookies
Or since this is Hollywood, a basket of couscous and cocaine.
Who knows, it just might be the first step towards getting some decent, mainstream movies celebrating what's good in America, like the fact that we aren't a banana republic… yet…
I am sorry the movie tanked. Doesnt help me any. I am still dead.
Oh, now I get it. You're a parody.
why would you watch it? you know how it ends
Did you hear about the pirate who walked into a bar with the steering wheel over his groin? The bartender asked "Mate, what's that for and does it bother you?" Pirate says" Aaarrggghhh, it's driving me nuts!!!"
…Still less than what An American Carol took back. When will that turd be be released on Betamax anyway?
My finger is sore from passing out all the "thumb-ups". What they said ^. I have nothing else to add.
From each according to their ability. To each according to their need.
Heh.
damn you man, that HURT,…
never make a broken down old pirate laugh his nuts off like that,.. oooooww man, my ribs hurt,..
I needed the laugh though, thanks lad.
Couldn't have been because the movie was a propaganda piece that Leni Riefenstahl would have scoffed at, could it? Couldn't have been because it …sucked…could it? Soderburgh give me a break. Make a film about George Washington, a good one, or Thomas Jefferson and the Barbary Pirates….but that would be patriotic. MUSTN"T DO THAT OMG! Ok my moment to wax sarcastic is complete..
Can't we wallow in his disillusioment just a little bit longer?
Pwease?
Seriously though, will any of them learn? Or will they just chalk it up to having to double down on the re-education camps when the revolution comes, (they hope). In my experince, one admitted communist college age type, they consider most every non communist an ignorant dolt to be kept like sheep anyway, I doubt they expected much, but hoped a good PR drive would indoctrinate a few more.
What does anyone expect? This is the first major motion picture based entirely on a t-shirt.
Yeah! Presley O'Bannon and Stephen Decatur, giving African pirates the what-for! I'd see that!
He should have opened in Hollywood, all of che's fans live there, now.
Ron Reale
realetybytes@yahoo.com
realetybytes.townhall.com
Oh, yeah, WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE? and Bush did it.
I wonder how the 1969 Jack Palance, Omar Sharif film Che! did at the box office. I've never seen it, but it's in either the Golden Turkey Awards or The 50 Worst Films of All Time books by the Medved brothers.
Go to a 'Ben and Jerry's' store and ask them for a free cone. You'll see them become capitalistic pigs faster than you can say 'Bill Gates'.
The Only thing Sane People want to know about Communists is that they're Dead
I knew a guy from Ecuador whose wealthy family shipped him to the USA for his education. When I confronted him about how he shouldn't brag about the hours he spent downloading pirated content, he gave me the excuse that "all" of Latin America's citizens steal movies and music on the Internet because, in his words, "Americans make too much money and we have nothing."
Poor little rich boy… had to pretend he gave a damn about us proles, hated America, and still had to buy everyone drinks just to get some respect.
Hey, Che is about Communism, right? The people's movie, right?
Oh, that's right, Marxism's a bitch when you have something called a budget.
Piracy ????….Give me a break !!!
It was a steaming pile of failure…..that's why it bombed….
Movie pirates sticking it to "The Man." Power to the people!
Piracy can't take all the blame. After all, Soderberg made his "Che" movies available on demand through cable system distributors. It's likely anybody who has a DVD burner hooked to their cable box could burn a copy of the movie onto DVD and freely distribute it in the black market or online. This isn't rocket science.
Well, how many, outside of Berkeley and Cambridge, would have been interested in the subject matter? Still, I am amazed at the rationale so many use to pirate intellectual property – surely if it was their labor and creation being stolen they would undoubtedly have a different outlook on the issue…
I remember seeing it on the marquee of our local "artsy" theater but never had the desire to pay my $5 (matinee) to see it…
Soderbergh is depressed. I read that he is ready to quit the biz and take up plumbing. Usually a lib turns to the light when they take it up the financial bum. I expect Steve to be a contributor here at BH in a few scant months. There's nothing like a dose of reality and a four hour crapfest to wake one up. He whined that he was rushed to make this opus and Benicio badgered him into making it his way. Bwaaaa
Congrats man, you made me spray my monitor with cappuccino…it's not my fault. The only pirates that are commines are butt pirates. BTW…the chinks only charge a buck for a DVD?…damn…I was paying 2 marks 50 in Kosovo.
I think distribution – or lack of it – is a big factor in whether a movie makes money or not. A lot odf good movies hardly see the light of day because of poor distribution.
Then too movies that do get good distribution – if they "suck balls" still flop
I read somewhere that many studios will spend the amount in production costs just in advertising for the movie.
I think distribution – or lack of it – is a big factor in whether a movie makes money or not. A lot of good movies hardly see the light of day because of poor distribution.
Then too movies that do get good distribution – if they "suck balls" still flop
I read somewhere that many studios will spend the amount in production costs just in advertising for the movie.
I had a similar thought! The movies a big hit on the parts of the planet with no money! Go figure……….
Everyone put on your pirate hats.
Calling yourself bombthrower is usually a hint.
LOL
So…
If American's don't go to see anti-American Iraq-war movies, it's because Americans are upset about Iraq.
If they don't go see "Che", it's because of piracy.
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Oh, man! Your post brings tears to my eyes!
I forgot about torrent sites! Three cheers for freedom-loving capitalist pigs!
They now quilfy for stimulous,and Huusein Obama will give them billions.
The movie will be required Curriculum in all schools public and private
You're welcome. My work here is done.
couldn't have happened to the most deserving people for pushing the lies and BS on us. Will do not need to see and hear about that creep and his losers that worship his dead ass..
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar;
sometimes a movie bombs because its just not a good film
I have relatives in South America and they also echo what you say, and I have spent time there. They feel as is they deserve everything free because we in the USA have everything and it isn't fair. They also feel they have the right to come get everything they can even if they have to sneak in to take it..
They said they have lots of people on the streets selling bootlegg copies of everything..
we don't go to anti-Iraq war movies because they are BS and the people that made them hate America. We don't want tpo see a crappy Che movie because it's BS Too! That guy doesn't deserve movies about him, he was evil… and we have other evil a-holes we can see all the damned time…
The Only Thing Sane Freedom Loving People want to know about Communists is that they're Dead
I like the excuse that his audience was limited due to the Spanish language dialogue in the movie. I seem to remember a recent movie that used mostly Aramaic that performed quite a bit better at the box office. Do you think the subject matter might have had something to do with the discrepancy between the success of those two films?
Maybe this will help her better understand people who are "anti-CNN."
I'm not sure how they know it was "crushed" by piracy. There isn't a pirate gauge on any network I've ever seen. Ratio's went out in the late 80's, early 90's. If you don't know what that means, don't feel bad. If you do, then just smile and act like you're clueless.
Che and every other movie has been pirated since the beginning of time. The only difference is that Che sucks balls. He sucks balls and this movie about him sucks balls. There is no way around the ball sucking when you are trying to make a commi dirtbag a hero.
I've never known any "pirate's" that are communists. The real pirate's code is to buy it if it's good. Not to take everything because it's yours.
The latter group are chinese jagoff's printing dvd's and selling it to you joker's for a buck a piece in Shanghai. Not that it matter's to the people that think they're "losing" money that they never would have gotten in the first place. While it's a cute title, I'm sorry- but good movies make money and bad one's don't- and all of them are pirated. ALL OF THEM. So figure it out on your own if I'm not making any sense to you.
Yea, the fact that the movie glorified evil and payed homage to a man who killed the innocent for pleasure had nothing to do with its lack of popularity. Che wasn't about freedom and fighting the system. Che and those he represented were about oppression and the system consuming the individual.
How about blaming the fact that no one wanted to see it? That's why it failed. Get real, Soderbergh.
Maybe she can find work at MSNBC.
Does that mean you can get me Elvis's autograph, Che?
…purchased by some guy who taped the movie with a video camera he snuck into some art house movie theater in San Francisco (guerilla capitalism!).
Thanks so much for opening my morning with a hearty laugh!
/I miss 80s MTV where they played, I don't know, popular music videos.
"It's like rain….on a rainy day!"
you mean MSDNC…
hey Che- from one T-shirt to another: "Sh!t Happens."
"Very few wanted to waste their bandwidth on his communist loving opus." – a FOUR-HOUR Communist-loving opus!
How can it be piracy, Spielberg? I mean aren't you for "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need"? Well, you have the ability to make propaganda films, Che del Toro Mierda has the ability to act in propaganda films, so why shouldn't those who NEED to see the movies not have the right to TAKE them. After all, you support politicians in America who openly TAKE from taxpayers to GIVE to non-taxpayers who NEED the support.
How can it be piracy, Spielberg? I mean aren't you for "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need"? Well, you have the ABILITY to MAKE propaganda films, Che del Toro Mierda has the ability to act in propaganda films, so why shouldn't those who NEED to see the movies not have the right to TAKE them? After all, you support politicians in America who openly TAKE from taxpayers to GIVE to non-taxpayers who NEED the support. What's the difference?
Yet another example of personal non-responsibility.
come on, if you do or make something that sucks, stop blaming someone else.
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