The iconic ’90s movie American Pie has not aged well, and it seems teens are voicing their concerns…
Now, we’ve all heard of cancel culture. Traditionally, the term “cancelled” means to “dismiss something”, or to “reject an individual or an idea”, as per Dictionary.
But it’s a controversial topic. Cancelling someone — whether it be rejecting them, ignoring them, publicly opposing their views or actions, or depriving them of time and attention – has become the go-to tactic for disgruntled and offended internet-goers.
Many have stood up in opposition to cancel culture. An open letter to Harper’s Magazine in July last year was signed by more than 150 prominent authors and journalists, including J.K Rowling, Salman Rushdie, and Margaret Atwood, decrying what they see as a loss of open debate and tolerance as a result of cancel-culture.
Another to speak out against the ideology is the man behind Blackadder and Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson. He has long advocated for free speech, as well as campaigning against legislation he believed would “stifle expression.”
“It’s important that we’re exposed to a wide spectrum of opinion,” Atkinson told the Radio Times.
“But what we have now is the digital equivalent of the medieval mob roaming the streets looking for someone to burn.”
But that doesn’t mean cancel culture is over. And the latest artefacts to come under fire are some of the most beloved movies of the ’90s.
Now, on July 9, 1999, a movie burst into movie theatres the likes of which the public had never before seen…
It was raunchy, obscene, hilarious – it featured a teenage boy doing unspeakably s*xual things to the most American of desserts, the apple pie.
It was called, quite appropriately, American Pie, and it was a monster hit among its teenage audience.
However, Gen Zers have been watching the classic movie, and finding it deeply problematic…
“Comedy has been ruined today. Only a handful of brave comedians left, like Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr and Joe Rogan. Satire comedy has been destroyed. I dare people today to watch Blazing Saddles They would probably have a heart attack!” one person wrote.
The teens had big problems with a whole host of movies, Vice reports.
“This whole movie is completely ridiculous, especially how the only thing the male characters care about is having s*x. They’re willing to say and do whatever just to convince the girls to have s*x with them. I don’t know if that was realistic when the film came out, but I think men treat women with a lot more respect and equality now,” Taylor, sixteen, said of American Pie.
“The part where Jim and the other male characters film the foreign exchange student in his room is deeply problematic. The film doesn’t even question the morality of doing this, it makes it seem like a joke and that the dudes are all ‘legends’ for getting the plan to work. It’s a huge violation of privacy and definitely a s*xual offense for Jim to film her, let alone to then share that with his friends. There’s no way a teen film made now would allow it,” Hannah, seventeen, agreed.
“It’s bordering on incel attitudes the way the guys in this film think that they deserve s*x, and how they seem to think that’s all women are good for rather than wanting a loving relationship with somebody they respect. I think if you were a teenage boy watching this you’d basically feel entitled to behave however you wanted to towards women,” Olivia, eighteen, concluded.
Where do you stand on the issue?
