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NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Would banning the Nazis have really changed history?
Editor-in-chief Jürgen Elsässer holds a copy of far-right magazine Compact. Photo / Getty Images If you could go back in time and ban the Nazi party, would you? Especially given all you now know about the misery the German political party would cause before and during a world war. It sounds like a rather thrilling premise. Back to the Future 4: Marty McFly versus Adolf and his evil henchmen! But in fact, it's a question far less adventurous German politicians, lawyers, journalists and judges have been debating for almost a year now. Things escalated last month, when one of the country's domestic intelligence agencies classified a local political party, the Alternative for Germany or AfD, as 'right-wing extremist'. It's seen as a possible first step towards an outright ban. Because of Germany's history, local law can be used to outlaw political parties that seek to undermine or abolish democracy. But it's actually very difficult to make those bans stick. The AfD took court action which led to the designation being suspended until judges could review the spy agency's 1100-page report, something that might take a while. This month, another similar incident around an AfD-supporting publication called Compact also returned to court. In July last year, the Ministry of the Interior banned Compact for acting 'militantly and aggressively' against German democratic values, and for saying racist, nonsensical, inflammatory crap like – just one ugly example – immigrants were turning all of Germany into a big 'rape zone'. The magazine's circulation is around 40,000 but an accompanying YouTube channel gets around half a million views. The Compact ban hadn't really worked though. The magazine mounted a legal challenge and the ban was suspended. A final decision will be made in court imminently. Legal observers say the outcome, which should come by the end of the month, is uncertain. So, too, is the plan to simply ban people, parties and publications you don't like. Yes, the Germans like rules. But can a ban stop people from being racist, nonsensical or inflammatory? The AfD is currently the second most popular party in the country and one imagines Compact is only gaining more readers with all this free publicity. Some local experts argue that such bans are the correct response, given Germany's history. But as other analysts and politicians, including the country's new leader Friedrich Merz, have argued, they can also backfire. If the AfD is banned when one in five voters supports it, the party looks like the victim of undemocratic forces, they say. And as Compact's editor-in-chief Jürgen Elsässer has said, stopping his noble efforts to just, you know, make stuff up, contradicts freedom of expression. 'In a democracy, you can't ban a magazine like Compact,' he insisted outside a courtroom before a hearing. A ban is no magic wand. Far-right ideologies and the tawdry publications that make money from them will still be with us even if the AfD and Compact are outlawed. Recently, a German acquaintance, shocked by some younger family members supporting the AfD, angrily asked them why they'd do such a thing. Interestingly, apart from their desire for an 'alternative', the 20-somethings couldn't really explain their worrying new political preferences. They have jobs and money, they don't hate migrants or democracy, they don't think Germany is a 'rape zone'. So maybe that's the most important thing about this ongoing debate around bans, press freedom and politics. We're being forced to interrogate all this. Should we have banned the Nazis? Would that have changed history? Or was something else – ignorance, racism, the shape of our relationships with our neighbours and our communities, maybe just good old human nature – to blame for the horrors that came next?
Perth Now
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Back to the Future 4 will ‘never' happen, writer Bob Gale insists
Screenwriter Bob Gale has once again insisted a fourth 'Back to the Future' movie will 'never' happen. The 73-year-old scribe - who created the beloved sci-fi trilogy with director Robert Zemeckis, 72 - has long stressed the 'Back to the Future' series is over, and has now emphasised that neither a prequel nor sequel will ever go ahead. Speaking at Universal Fan Fest Nights about a possible fourth film, Gale said: 'I don't know why they keep talking about that! I mean, do they think that if they say it enough times, we're going to actually do it? 'I mean, it's like they know in every interview people say, 'Oh Bob, when is there going to be a 'Back to the Future 4'?' Never. 'When is there going to be a prequel?' Never. 'When is there going to be a spinoff?' Never. 'It's just fine the way it is. It's not perfect, but as Bob Zemeckis used to say, 'It's perfect enough.'' Gale added it would involve some serious convincing from studio higher-ups for him and Zemeckis to budge on a fourth 'Back to the Future' movie, though was thankful that Steven Spielberg 'totally respects' their decision to leave the franchise be. The writer joked: 'If the juggernaut of corporate America or corporate international mishigas says, 'If you don't agree to this, we're going to kill your children', alright, well, no, we don't want our children killed. 'But Steven Spielberg, of course, he's got to sign off on it, too. And Steven, just like Steven won't allow another 'E.T.', he totally respects the fact that we don't want any more 'Back to the Future'. 'He gets it and always stood behind that. And thank you, Steven.' While 'Back to the Future's time on the screen may have come to an end, Gale added the franchise was still alive and well on the theatre stage with the musical adaptation of the first film. He said: 'We've made 'Back to the Future: The Musical,' which is still playing in London, it's on a U.S. tour. 'We just opened it in Tokyo in Japanese, and they're just as crazy, or crazier, over there about that whole 'Back to the Future' as anywhere else. 'So, I mean, I'm humbled and blown away by the fact that Bob and I came up with something that has this much staying power.' Looking back at the franchise as it celebrates its 40th anniversary, Gale said he was proud to have created such a beloved film series that remains popular to this day. He reflected: 'What's so great is seeing the next generation of kids that are being touched by this and [say], 'Gee, my parents were once kids.' 'That's why I think it keeps on going, because every kid comes to that realization at some point, and we made a movie about that. So I love the fact that people are newly discovering it.' 'Back to the Future' - which starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson - follows Marty McFly who accidentally travels back to 1955 in a time machine built by eccentric scientist Dr. 'Doc' Emmett Brown, and must ensure his parents fall in love to avoid erasing his own existence. The 1985 movie was followed by 'Back to the Future: Part II' in 1989, with the trilogy concluding a year later with 'Back to the Future: Part III'.
Mint
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
'Never, its just fine the way it is': Bob Gale on return of Back To The Future television series
Washington DC [US], April 29 (ANI): Screenwriter Bob Gale has quashed any possible speculations of the creation of 'Back To The Future' television show after the successful run of the sci-fi trilogy, reported People. At a recent Universal Fan Fest Night, Bob Gale opened up about the possibility of a 'Back To The Future' television show and said that they are not looking forward to any sequel, prequel or spin-off to the movie. "I mean, it's like they know in every interview people say, 'Oh Bob, when is there going to be a Back to the Future 4?' Never," said Bob Gale. "'When is there going to be a prequel?' Never. 'When is there going to be a spinoff?' Never. It's just fine the way it is. It's not perfect, but as Bob Zemeckis used to say, 'It's perfect enough.'" added Gale. The creators of the movie are adamant about not returning with any other instalments of the 'Back To The Future' film. However, the screenwriter jokingly added that a life-threatening situation can change his thoughts on developing another instalment of the film. "If the juggernaut of corporate America or corporate international mishigas says, 'If you don't agree to this, we're going to kill your children,' alright, well, no, we don't want our children killed,'" he joked. Gale also expressed gratitude to director and producer Steven Spielberg for respecting their wish to have no more 'Back To the Future' movies. "But [executive producer] Steven Spielberg, of course, he's got to sign off on it too. And Steven, just like Steven won't allow another E.T., he totally respects the fact that we don't want any more Back to the Future. He gets it and always stood behind that. And thank you, Steven," added Gale. The 'Back To The Future' franchise starred Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd in the lead roles. The screenplay of the trilogy was written by Bob Gale and was directed by Robert Zemeckis. (ANI) First Published: 29 Apr 2025, 09:23 AM IST
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Back to the Future screenwriter has a very blunt response for those asking for a fourth movie: "F*** you"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Back to the Future screenwriter Bob Gale has given a very frank answer to whether we'll ever see a fourquel in the iconic franchise. Gale penned all three Back to the Future movies alongside director Robert Zemeckis. At the Saturn Awards, he poured water over any hopes for more movies (via Collider). "People always say when are you guys going to do Back to the Future 4?" Gale commented. "And we say fuck you." If you were in any doubt, Gale is pretty firm on his answer, too. "And you can quote me on this," he added. Alongside the three movies, there is also a musical playing on Broadway and the West End. The musical adapts the first movie, retelling the classic story with the addition of original songs. While Gale is clearly opposed to more, franchise star Christopher Lloyd has been more open to the idea of a fourquel in the past. "I would love to do a sequel, but I think [director] Bob Zemeckis and [producer Steven] Spielberg felt that they told the story in the three episodes," he told Variety in 2023. "But if somebody has a brilliant idea that would justify a fourth film, it might happen." Michael J. Fox, though, was more ambivalent towards the idea of a reboot without the original cast. "I'm not fanatical," he said. "Do what you want. It's your movie. I got paid already." "I don't think it needs to be," he added. "I think Bob and Bob [Gale and Zemeckis] have been really smart about that. I don't think it needs rebooting because are you going to clarify something? You're going to find a better way to tell the story? I doubt it." You can fill out your watchlist with our guide to this year's most exciting upcoming movies.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael J. Fox is writing a book about his ‘Back to the Future' days, screenwriter reveals: 'I don't know if I'm supposed to say that'
Michael J. Fox appears to be heading back to the future — at least when it comes to putting his memories of the popular film trilogy on paper. After taking home the George Pal Memorial Award at the Saturn Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, Bob Gale, co-writer-producer on Back to the Future, let slip that the actor is writing a book called Future Boy about his experience on the films, the first of which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. 'I don't know if I'm supposed to say that,' Gale said in the press room, alongside the films' stars Lea Thompson and Christopher Lloyd. 'But …' See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'You did,' Thompson added. 'You said the F-word, too.' A representative for Fox did not immediately respond to Yahoo Entertainment's request for comment. Nelle Fortenberry, a television producer who serves on the board of directors of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, wrote on her LinkedIn page that she is writing the book with Fox. 'I am currently writing a book with Michael J. Fox about his experiences filming his two most famous roles simultaneously in 1985,' Fortenberry's LinkedIn said. 'During those hectic months, he filmed Family Ties during the day and Back to the Future at night. The book will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the release of Back to the Future.' Fortenberry has not responded to Yahoo's request for comment. Gale, who co-wrote the three scripts with the film's director Robert Zemeckis, also responded directly when asked if there would be a Back to the Future 4. The second film opened in 1989, followed by the third and, so far, final installment in 1990. 'People always say, 'When are you going to do Back to the Future 4, and we say, 'F*** you.'' The movies tell the story of a 1980s high school student, Marty McFly (Fox), who travels back in time to 1955 with the help of his scientist friend Doc Brown (Lloyd) and a tricked-out DeLorean, and fatefully connects with his parents. It has also been adapted for the stage, as a globally touring musical and a production that will be mounted on a cruise ship, for Royal Caribbean Cruises, Gale said. 'So, my God, Back to the Future, I'm going to be doing it for the rest of my life,' he added. Accepting the award along with Gale and Thompson, Lloyd said that so many kids have told him how important the films were to them. Thompson added that Back to the Future was a 'substitute' for what they weren't getting anywhere else. 'The future is yours to make,' Lloyd said, riffing on a line from the film. 'Make it a good one.' For a screenplay that Gale said had been rejected 42 times before it finally landed at Universal Pictures, the subsequent trilogy has had a lasting impact on generations of audiences. The Saturn Award recipients shared reminiscences of the film's impact on their own work. 'It's not really horror or Alien' that influenced Alien: Romulus, the movie's co-writer and director Fede Alvarez told Yahoo Entertainment at the event. 'It was more like Back to the Future and fantasy films.' 'I can't believe I saw Bob Gale out there," Alvarez added. "I'm truly excited. The DeLorean and Lea Thompson [were] out there. Still can't believe it.' Fox himself told a Rhode Island Comic Con audience in November, 'I didn't know what the hell I was getting into," before calling the first film 'one of the few perfect movies." Thompson appeared equally surprised at the films' reception. 'We never expected this to happen,' she told Yahoo Entertainment of the impact the films have had on new generations of fans. 'It's shocking, because when we do Comic Cons and see the audience, over half of the people weren't born when the movie was made. What a gift is that?'
