Recently a point was brought up in conversation about Aeon Flux by a friend of mine. 'Ever watch Aeon with someone not into it and get a blank stare? Then realize that no matter how blatantly you point out the 'ideas' laced into the storyline, they can't seem to grasp them, or are unable to 'see' them at all'? She mentioned also, "it's as if all they see is the action, or the skimpy outfits on Aeon, they can't see beyond that..." Like the invisible Matrix, the core of this show hides itself from some people, the guys at MTV were a good example of this, uhm, phenomenon. Anyone else run into this?

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), November 06, 2000

Answers

I've had similar problems with esoteric anime... Just recently, I was discussing the Utena movie with a friend. He found it cheesy and pointless, and couldn't see why it appealed to so many people. On the other hand, he loves Aeon Flux.

In my opinion, some people just don't get it, and that's OK (if a little maddening at times). Sitting back and being entertained is one thing, but "shifting your consciousness", as Chung put it, is quite another. And if they're not willing to take that step, then no amount of explaining will help them... they have to find out on their own.

-- Paul (gilbreathfamily@worldnet.att.net), November 07, 2000.

Actually, I think is has to do with a conflict of sex-appeal versus intellectualism. Within western culture, these two things are mutually exclusive. How often have you heard sexuality dealt with in as little thought as humanly possible? How many people get 'turned off' by any sign of intelligence? When I first saw Aeon Flux, I was amazed that you had so much obvious sex appeal with so much psychological depth. I wondered how these desparate elements could possibly work because, on one hand all this clear sexual imagery would drive away your 'eggheads', and all the cyptic plot elements would drive away your 'unwashed masses'. And, I supposed if you want to be honest, this might be why Aeon Flux had such a battle since it only met with approval from people who find depth of thought erotic.

-- Greenmuse (greenmuse@hotmail.com), November 07, 2000.

I once forced two of my friends to watch the first few episodes of the first tape. All they could seem to focus on was, well, her ass. Not out of sexual attraction, mind you... they actually thought it was silly and wierd and stupid, from what I gather. Aeon's skimpiness and angularity seemed to be the most noticeable aspects to them, and it's the only thing that they can pick up on, apparently. They, like many people I think, tend to think of animation as mere "cartoons" that have no potential redeeming value. Incidentally, I've also watched much of David Lynch's work with these two friends. One of them likes Twin Peaks for its wierdness, but thinks his films are bizarre to the point of being unviewable. The other won't even begin to try to interpret it because of the outer shell of unusual presentation. Ironically enough, I think depicting unusual things is the strength of film, a thing that can expand minds. None of my friends seem to think so, unfortunately.

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), November 07, 2000.

"Forced" your friends to watch, I love it. I have forced friends over the years to watch certain movies too. I'm sure that even though it doesn't seem like it, it causes them to face the fact that there is something else going on out there. Depth of thought as eroticism, oooh yes. But to one with no depth of thought...

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), November 07, 2000.

I have had similar experiences. People that have watched it can't get past her body. A discussion of the show with them would not get past 'but she is anorexic' stage. I think people relate it to real life.

-- William (stateofflux@yahoo.com), November 08, 2000.

You're right, Barb... partly because of my media revelations to my friends, I have always been "the wierd, artsy one" in my little social group. But I like it. :)

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), November 08, 2000.

Yes,i too have had similar problems, trying to explain Aeon Flux to my friends. I sit there make them watch it and they just give me this look like i'm physco or something. It seems to me that more people these days would rather have the idea placed into their laps, than to go out and find it themsleves. People have no imagination beyond where aeon gets her outfits or how she does her hair. Alot of people i know just sit there and are like oooooooook. sort of humoring me when a sexual scene comes on, like the hidden compartment in the tooth(trevor and aeon kissing). It seems no matter how hard i try it goes in one ear and out the other. Some people just don't want to have to sit there and think about it. "because it hurts to much" (my sisters words). unbelieveable!

-- Lady Morgan (AeonFluxFan1@aol.com), November 08, 2000.

Actually, William's comment regarding Aeon's sometimes anorexic look makes me wonder if it wasn't a sarcastic comment on the 'thinness' craze out there, instead of being slammed with the 'this is what beautiful is' art/camera work usually force fed audiences. The average viewer expects to see stereotyping of characters not the artists ideas. More reason to find this show baffling to these people. They're accustomed to being told what to think, even with graphics. Of course, then again sometimes Aeon is drawn beautifully, as well. Possible? or am I just way off.

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), November 09, 2000.

I wholeheartly agree. You placed the opinion in my lap. I was late to the discussion and now only have to pick up a few bits, here and there to make my opinion. I will not come up with anything original so don't make me try. I will never, never, think. Thats why I'm going into Political Science. Now if I can be seriousous a moment, I used to watch Aeon with a guy who didn't get it. he loved it wanted to see more, but just was to I don't know child like. He was as I was when I started watching, I was way to young to get it. But I sure thought it was neat that they went inside clavius. Maybe I didn't get end sinister until I read the disscussion here, but it did, get chronophasia

-- They call me NAdar (nadar@BigPoppaPump.zzn.com), November 11, 2000.

Rereading this, brought something funny to my brain, my sister refers to Aeon as "That porno Cartoon, your always watching." Makes me laugh, seems so true I don't like the cover so I won't read the book.

-- (nadar@BigPoppaPump.zzn.com), March 02, 2001.

I've only bothered to coerce one person. It was a friend of mine. We were in a conversation about the lamentable state of popular film and he said (and I quote) "You know what I wish? That there was a movie only twenty minutes long where the hero gets in a life-or-death stuggle and then just dies."

-- Frosty the Snow Chick (mbkrooks@bellsouth.net), March 04, 2001.

Frostbite, don't leave us hanging, I take it he then was treated to Fluxian Film Features, and?...

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), March 07, 2001.

Oh, naturally. I think it was like the beginning of a live-long love affair for him.

-- Frosty the Snow Chick (mbkrooks@bellsouth.net), March 08, 2001.

heheh.

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), March 08, 2001.