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From The Socialist newspaper, 12 January 2022
TV series: 'La Casa de Papel' or Money Heist
A Robin Hood tale set in modern-day capitalism
Money Heist, photo Netflix (Click to enlarge)
John Reid
This is a must-watch Spanish drama over five series, and now available to watch in its entirety on Netflix.
Its main theme is resistance. It focuses on a gang of thieves who carry out two huge heists against the Spanish state. It poses the question, 'who are the real outlaws and thieves, the gang or the state?' It is an allegory in the same tradition as Robin Hood.
The anti-fascist partisan song 'Bella Ciao' runs through the series. One of the main characters, 'the Professor', explains that his grandfather who fought the fascists taught him the song.
The characters in this drama are very strong men and women. It has you laughing, crying, and feeling solidarity with the gang members. It is joyous, uplifting, exciting and sexy. The plot is unpredictable and has more twists and turns than the mighty Thames.
It exposes the corruption, duplicity and violence of the state. It highlights the fragility of the financial system and the casino nature of the stock exchange. It declares that the state has given to the rich and robbed the poor.
The series says that the state has declared a 'filthy war and we have decided to stand up against it'.
The gang dress in Salvador Dali masks - the Dadaist/Surrealist school were anti-capitalist (although Dali moved away from this). The masses are shown on the sidelines but the statement is made: "Join the resistance then it is war".
The series ends with the caption: "Our legacy continues thanks to all of you the real resistance".
It is our task as socialists to build international resistance to capitalism and to build human solidarity and a socialist movement.
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In The Socialist 12 January 2022:
News
Super-rich get richer, while we can't make ends meet. Join the fightback!
Blow to establishment as jury backs Colston Four
Covid, stress and cutbacks fuel school staff shortages
Tories concede under cladding pressure but don't go far enough
Low pay, stress and Covid drive: NHS staff crisis
Shameless Johnson partied through lockdown
Energy price crisis: nationalise energy giants to save us from £600 hit
Energy bosses: 'Jump, cuddle and eat porridge while we raise prices'
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan: Working-class revolt only suppressed by massive mobilisation of troops
Solidarity with workers protesting in Kazakhstan
Campaigns news
Protests against BBC transphobia
Leeds People's Budget: We beat council cuts before, we will again
Communities fight back against Rio Tinto mine
North London NHS - "It's going to be us who saves it"
Southampton student vote for online exams must be accepted
Workplace news
Coventry bin workers' pay strike
10,000 tube workers vote to strike over jobs, terms and pension cuts
East Mids rail conductors force concessions, train managers' dispute continues
Carmarthenshire gritters take action as Plaid-led council reneges on agreement
Jobcentre Coronavirus outbreak leads to reps meeting call
South Yorkshire bus strikes spreading and getting stronger
Weetabix workers defeat 'fire and rehire' and ballot on improved pay offer
Invergordon Royal Mail mutiny wins
Reviews
Don't Look Up: An entertaining satire on corporate power and the US establishment
Anne: Hillsborough and the fight for justice
Money Heist: A Robin Hood tale set in modern-day capitalism
Readers' opinion
War criminal Tony Blair knighted
Bullying weighing room culture at the races
Free prescriptions? Maybe when you're older
Obituaries
Obituary - Ethan Bradley 1993-2021
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