Kim Jong-un is apparently upset about an a forthcoming Hollywood blockbuster which attempts to make an assassination attempt on him the stuff of comedy. The Times recently reported on the uproar in Pyongyang surrounding the film, The Interview, starring James Franco and Seth Rogen ("North Korea Warns U.S. Over Film Mocking Its Leader," 6/25/14). The Times reported on the fact that this isn't the first time the North Korean royal family have been the subject of parody. Team America: World Police took a shot at Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un's father. And if the North Koreans really want to stay at the top of their game of huffing and puffing they'd best be advised that the genesis of this kind of comedy actually emanates from two sources: The Great Dictator, with the famous scene where a Hitler look-a-like played by Charlie Chaplin bounces his globe around like a ball and the character of Oddjob (Harold Sakata) from Goldfinger, who actually bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Jong-un. But when talking about retaliation one wonders if the North Koreans wouldn't do well to drag some of America's most acerbic critics out of the woodwork. Dale Peck, for instance, is more known for his literary than film criticism, but he's capable of eviscerating writers in the way that a good butcher can extract the innards from a cow or pig. Peck is like a pit bull. He'd be a great attack dog to set on a pair of rowdy filmmakers. The North Koreans should start by setting him on Franco and Rogen, who also directed. When he is done with them he can go after Columbia Pictures which is releasing the film, Sony who own Columbia and American audiences who devour this kind of comedy.
{This was originally posted to The Screaming Pope, Francis Levy's blog of rants and reactions to contemporary politics, art and culture}