Other than that awesome ass-to-ass scene, I always thought of Requiem for a Dream as sort of a gimmicky, extended, anti-drug PSA. Requiem director Darren Aronofsky went on to redeem himself tenfold with The Wrestler and Black Swan, but recently he directed some actual anti-drug PSAs for the Meth Project, which you can watch below. Sadly, there’s nary an ass-to-ass scene to be found. They’re big on disturbing imagery and sad kids looking directly into the camera, but I’ve watched them all three or four times each, and I’m still trying to figure out what the hell the voiceovers mean. See if you can help.
“If I had asked, if I try meth will I become an addict? But can you really lose it on meth? Or if I had asked, will meth become the only thing I care about… I wouldn’t be asking.”
“If I had asked, will I lose control on meth? Will meth really make you violent? Or, if I had asked, will meth make me steal from my own family? I wouldn’t be asking my brother.”
…Huh? Did anyone follow that? “If I had asked … I wouldn’t be asking.”
Maybe I’m just dumb, but I think if I was trying to reach that susceptible-to-meth-addiction-but-capable-of-being-swayed-by-a-commercial crowd, I’d probably make my voiceover a little simpler to understand than three rhetorical questions with a dangling modifier. Maybe next time, just go with “meth made me scabby.”
See also: David Lynch’s anti-littering PSA.
[mediabistro via Towelroad]
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*injects self with epinephrine, runs around crazy like Chev Chellios*
I CAN’T WAIT TO TELL ALL MY FRIENDS…FUCK THAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG!
Are anti-meth PSA’s really necessary while Lindsay Lohan exists? Seems kind of redundant.
The “I wouldn’t be asking” ties directly into what the character says next, i.e. “If I had asked, will I lose control on meth? Will meth really make you violent? Or, if I had asked, will meth make me steal from my own family? I wouldn’t be asking my brother…” “WHERE IS YOUR MONEY!?”
Still confusing with the cadence they use, since they sound like they’re finishing a thought, but it’s definitely meant to tie in to the next line of dialogue.
I think the presentation isn’t great, but all three meth-addicts ask a question in the footage after the voiceover says, “I wouldn’t be asking:”. I was confused at first. I blame poor inflection!
“If I’d have asked whether Wu Tang Clan ain’t nothin’ to fuck with, my brother wouldn’t be asking me to bring da motherfuckin’ ruckus.”
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT METHOD MAN?
The Mighty Feklahr is simply impressed that the M&Ms “Hungry Eyes Guy” keeps finding work! (last vid)
“Hey Methrproject.org! Your PSAs are obnoxious, overbearing, confusing, and demeaning to the intelligence of your intended audience. Who taught you how to do this stuff?”
“You Dad. I learned it by watching you.”
Banner pic: WAIT A KAHLESS KRUNCHING KRUELLERS SECOND! Meth helps you beat up little Romulan kids???
*injects self with epinephrine, runs around crazy like Chev Chellios*
Where’s that sleazy dude in the hotel room??? BLARGHGARBLE!
If I had asked, “Is there a Wayans in this?” I wouldn’t be watching Requiem for a Dream.
The voice over implies: If I had asked this question THEN, I wouldn’t be asking this question now NOW : cut to real time where someone asks another question examples : “What did you do?” “where’s is your money?” “Who is your daddy and what does he do?”
hoped this helped.
I think a traditional “The More You Know” set-up that ends with Keith David gingerly tapping a double dildo against his palm would be much more effective.
Add a laugh track and shoot me a text, dog
Boy, meth really does mess up your brain. Before meth, that last kid knew to negotiate price *before* getting a room.
The Fountain, now that was a freakishly long anti-drug PSA. Soured me on hallucinogens forever after.
My band, The Arizona Meth Project, are definitely suing!
I heard Aronofsky was going to film a sequel to one of his early movies, but make it a progressive/transgressive musical, called HAIR PI.
Pssh… whatever. I do what I want.
*Pulls out pack of X-Men candy cigarettes and starts humming The Dog the Bounty Hunter theme.
Anti-drug ads with no toke-n black guys?
I wonder if these white kids were meth-od actors?
And what’s next in Darren’s pipe-line?
I think the author just doesn’t understand English, the voice over made complete sense.
“If i would have asked, does meth make me hear voices? Can meth really change your personality? My mom wouldn’t be asking..”
mom from the clip: “OMG WTF DID YOU DO? WTF DID YOU DO?”
How could anyone be confused by this?