So I got the film Freaks and couldn't watch it

[jpgray]

Even though in the plot the real "freaks" are the "normal" people, it just seemed a bit too exploitative.

[redqueen]

1. What about "Crippled Masters"?

Is that exploitative?

[seemunkee]

15. I bought that

It was in the 9.99 bin

[enigmatic]

2. Watch it

It's a great film, and it's just about ended Tod Browning's career..

[jpgray]

4. Maybe I'll give it another chance

It was just really hard for me to watch.

[China_cat]

5. It was not exploitative.

I traveled with a carnival in the last years of the sideshows to carry 'freaks'. They were outraged with the cries of 'exploitation' and closing of their source of income. These were people who had never taken a dime of welfare or other government handouts, owned homes, vehicles and paid for help for the things they couldn't do for themselves. They saw themselves as educators as well as entertainers...teaching people that their differences weren't as much as their similarities.

Without the income, most of them ended up losing almost all they had. That was the exploitation...pandering to those who couldn't stand to see those with serious deformities making money from their conditions.

[jpgray]

7. Maybe exploitative isn't the right word, but watching it made me uncomfortable

[asthmaticeog]

8. I think sussing out why it made you uncomfortable might be key here.

It deserves its cult-classic status, I hope you give it another chance.

[jpgray]

9. As China-cat pointed out, it might stem from some prejudice of mine

Either way I'll have to figure out what it is. Everyone says the film is great, so I want to watch it. :(

[edbermac]

3. I didn't think it was exploitive.

I thought the freaks were the heroes of the story and were portrayed very sympathetically.

[RandomKoolzip]

6. It's a great film.

But I could only watch it once.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

10. I think you should watch it

it's not at all that way........

[Connie_Corleone]

11. I have that movie. It's great!

Give it another try.

[MonkeyFunk]

12. I have it on disc

and haven't watched it yet. I saw it in college and it's quite disturbing.

Some night I'll be in the mood.

[LynneSin]

13. That has to be one of the best endings and best revenges ever in a movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQkYGhmdMig

[swag]

14. Is that also why you don't listen to the Ramones?