“La casa de papel” — Money heist: Something must be wrong with us!
By: Ashraf Akintola
Tags: Hollywood, Empathy, Money Heist, Society, Bella Ciao

Monologue

It used to be a thing of the past when fictional characters and plots in movies stay in the movie. Apart from those that depict historical recollections and real-life scenarios, we live in a world where pure fictions are now being brought to life. From sci-fi to comedy; fantasy to adventure; romance to crime; — plots, characters, and depictions of what we watch on screen are now realities that abound. As much as movies breathe life into what was not imminent in the society, it can also be argued that what is being depicted is a true reflection of what the society dictates since inspirations for movies come from real life. Apart from this tangle of the egg and chicken story with regards to which comes first, Sci-fi movies where hints are given, of what may happen in the future, technology wise (Star Wars, X-men, Batman, Matrix, Fringe e.tc. are classical examples) is another frontier to be explored.

Without doubt, movies have evolved over the years from a mere tool of amusement and entertainment to a strong cultural movement that can influence the way the society dress, think, love, react, speak and its eventual overall morality. In Nigeria for example, Indian Bollywood holds the ace since the early 80’s and in the last decade we have witnessed a Korean cultural explosion with K-Drama. Thousands of people in Nigeria speak fragments of Indi and Korean and their only interaction with these cultures are the movies they watch. I need not start with how actors like Lee Min Ho are worshipped in Nigeria especially by ladies as you would be amazed at how deep rooted the influence is. As a multi-billion-dollar franchise, the movie industry holds such a power that is as explosive as a nuclear bomb and at the same time the ability to creep with amazing subtlety into our subconscious and like a knee jerk, pretty much of our existence becomes what the big men of Hollywood dictates. If you do not know, WW3 is not about nuclear weapons, it is a competition of influence and ideas. And we are the pawns; No! The war is against us!

Premise

“La casa de papel” — Money heist is an award-winning Spanish TV show brought to live by Netflix after its initial decline in December 2017. Set in Madrid, the show features a complicated group of criminals led by a mysterious man known as “The Professor” with an ambitious plan that involves entering the Royal Mint of Spain, and escaping with €2.4 billion and later on in the fourth season and second heist the bank of Spain. Members of the syndicate go by cities as code names and they are portrayed as the heroes and heroines of the series. Their operations involve taking hostages while dealing with elite police forces.

Bella ciao — “Goodbye beautiful”

The series gifted the fans across the globe three symbols: an anthem, a shield, and a colour. In return, they were rewarded with being one of the most viewed series overall on Netflix. The success of the franchise is a testament that people needed a symbol that is very easy to recreate, repeat and one in which people can adapt to their own needs. Alvaro Morte- the man that played professor said in the movie “people are going to see us as the damn heroes” and that my friends happened to be true.

Bello ciao- a song of freedom and resistance against fascism during WW2 became the hymn of protests that swept across Europe and America, fight for social justice in Lebanon, Iraq, France and Chile and a shout of victory among immigrants saved by UN rescue teams crossing into Spain. The Dali mask became the tool to conceal faces during robberies in different countries across the globe and the red jumpsuits became a fashion statement with a redefined use and meaning. Massive banners with Bella ciao being the theme rented the air across the world even in Saudi Arabia as well as in Mexico, Columbia, Brazil and even football stars like Neymar and Benzema being a staunch follower with the former acting a scene. More than 4000 people wait at filming locations to cast a glance at their favourite actors and overnight, they became idols. In fact, there was a man who tattooed the face of Ursula Corbero (Tokyo) on his body. Their following on social media rose astronomically and though previously unknown, they now require bodyguards whenever they travel overseas or go out at home. Well, it is a good thing for the franchise, but it must be said that this a huge sign of doom for the society.

When asked how he felt about the “love attack” they got from the fans, and what he feels about being constantly among in the top three loved character in polls, Pedro Alonso (Berlin) said, “It is hard to believe, but that is how it is” and he continued, “People need to get their heads checked because I am sure he is not the character you would want your daughter to marry”. On the same question, one of the series Directors replied, “It is like holding a mirror up to the society………”. These true assertions were what inspired this write-up.

As a fan of the franchise myself, I have not seen anyone who has not rooted for this gang of criminals to win. We were all cheering these disruptors of societal law and order on and this sadly is a true reflection of what the society grapples with. The series was written in such a way that the viewers preconceptions of villainy is broken down and as expected, the police characters were written dumber when necessary. This brings to mind the Nazi style of propaganda- about the use of a lie so “colossal” that no one would believe that someone “could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously”. Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth. For how long does it take for villainy to become heroism? Well in our case, I guess it did not take more than a season film.

Empathy and Emotions

As said earlier, movies are a depiction of the society and they are integral in influencing societal values. Alex Pina, the creator of the series explained that “People had a connection with the series that went beyond entertainment- it was almost a philosophical connection”. And Miguel Amoedo — the Director of Photography added, “It was reaffirming to us…. we weren’t crazy, we were doing something cool” These statements and the results it produced are testaments to both earlier stated theories. “You don’t connect with an unbelievable robbery, nor with the professor’s intelligence, even if you admire it, but you connect with the fact that he is scared”, said Esther Martinez Lobato (Series writer).

As can be seen in our everyday lives, viewers of the series were emotionally duped into feeling empathy for the wrong party because of the sides of the characters they were exposed to and made to see. Professor is a criminal, but he was depicted as shy especially in front of women, intelligent, scared, unassuming middle-aged man. Berlin as a hostile character but with a people person character and domineering leadership that confers the feeling of safety. Nairobi as a mother figure that wants the best for her son and got sacrificed for that and Arturo who is the true representation of human desires and wants was depicted as mean. The hatred for the character shows how bad we feel when what we are ashamed of is pointed out to us. In fact, according to Alex Pina, “nothing is better than a villain we can empathize with”

How evil overcomes good

When Esther Acebo (Stockholm) fell in love with Jaime Lorente (Denver) and joined the group, I believe no one among the fans of the franchise batted an eyelid. Rather, it was though iconic to the sequence of the plot, but it seemed little like a passing moment. To the greatest shock of the show’s audience, when the character of Inspector Raquel Murillo, the main character after the criminal gang played by Itziar Ituno started having issues with the Police force, the least viewers can expect is for her to join the forces she was hunting. But it was a cause of an uproar and an excitement, suspense, and thrill to the series when she transmogrified into Lisbon in the 3rd season. Big calamities do not just happen in a day, it takes a series of steps. When we finally realize we are in big trouble, it is usually always too late.

No one suspected that plot twist but signs of it happening was staring right in our faces right from the time Stockholm switched to the other side and she decided to take active part in the second heist. If you do not support her joining at first, I salute your courage and if your heart was broken when inspector Raquel joined the gang, then I congratulate you. You are immune to being emotionally engineered to hate what you are supposed to love and love what you are supposed to hate. For those who could not hold back tears when Nairobi was shot and killed or probably even cursed the gallant César Gandía who killed her and caused havoc for the group, it is time to have a rethink at what is best for yourself as an individual, and the society as a whole.

The conception of evil as smart and genius and good as dumb and backward remains a tool in the hand of those who wish to destroy any peaceful coexistence among humans. The reason we have all the wars and pestilence, famine and economic meltdowns are as a result of the greed of some quarters among men and the injustice that prevail among members of the upper class. Those who are being cheated are shown and told lies repeatedly that it become hard not to believe and whosoever goes against the status quo becomes an enemy of the society.

If this writeup does not change the way you perceive movies again, then, believe me, you are already a trophy won by your enemies.