KANGAROO REVIEWED
“Kangaroo” surprised me. As a college student, I was forced to study text after text about cultural impact of iconography. Now, I get to listen to Aussies complain about kangaroos. Coming from an area where horses are treated with godlike status, I feel this documentary. Nobody wants to have everything involving your cultural history tied to a dumb animal. I mean, Australia was able to move past Yahoo Serious, why not a Kangaroo?
While Abramorama spent most of last year killing it with their music documentaries, I was a little shocked to see them take on a film like this. Cultural studies and how people perceive icons only gets lightly tackled in our pop culture. Sure, there are books upon books upon books on the phenomenon, but people don’t read anymore. Yes, I understand the irony of those words I just type. But, let’s take a look at basic facts. Why don’t we examine the icons that we put on high?
The Catholic Church still regularly has the remains of Saints go on tour through various Cathedrals. The Coca Cola, Superman and Mickey Mouse symbols are among the most easily recognizes icons in the world. Yet, no one bothers to ask a specific culture how they feel about the imagery they give power. Australia doesn’t want to take power away from the Kangaroo as a cultural icon. They just want the world to realize that they are more than just that. After all, they’re mostly descended from British prisoners.
FILM STATS
- Not Rated
- 1 hr and 43 mins
- Abramorama