Why Emmerich's work is relevant

I...don't see how Cinco de Mayo having more of an appeal in the US over September 16th means anything, quite frankly? Cinco de Mayo isn't a big deal inside of Mexico anyways. Hell if you do try to make it into a theme about a last ditch stand like the real life Battle of Puebla, the metaphor doesn't work. We won one battle against the odds and yet Napoleon III still conquered us and installed an Austrian as emperor.

And hell, the reason why Mexico has it on September 16th is because that's when the priest Miguel Hidalgo gave the Cry of Dolores and rallied people to fight for Mexico's independence. There's your parallel with the film Independence Day, big speech to rally people for the fight ahead.

Considering how the film Independence Day was made to appeal to the US audience (which is what Emmerich was going for) it made since for the movie to go with the holiday most familiar with said audience. In regards to both Mexican holidays, while the actual Independence Day there is the valid use most people here in the states are more familiar with Cinco De Mayo and its importance in regards for underdog battle which is what the final act was going for. Its kind of like how people often look at the Battle at the Alamo as a major event in the whole Texas Revolution for the whole Heroic Valor of the Texans, even though a) it was a fucking massacre and b) a lot of the figures of said battle aren't that pure.

Basically the whole thing with the dates is choosing one that can reach a larger audience for the sake of appeal, which is why, I guess, the director chose July the Fourth as it is more commonly known worldwide and often emulated by other countries (Franch).

edited 20th Dec '17 12:16:11 AM by BigK1337

There is also this little fact that most people know that the Americans celebrate independence day. I am not even aware of Mexican celebrations outside Dias de Muerto.

Isn't it quite ironic that what might be the two most "independence day" movie have both been directed by a German? Or is there another one which is typical "Independence Day"? Is there even specific holiday programming for this day? I kind of assume there is, but I admit, I don't know. I know that at Thanksgiving most people watch sports..(the football play offs??? I admit, I am not even sure about that one), and Halloween is naturally for horror movies.

edited 20th Dec '17 3:34:36 AM by Swanpride

Any movie with a patriotic theme can be Independance day programming.

Sure, but there are certainly movies or shows which are shown no matter what, right? Just like the US watched "It's a beautiful world" during Christmas while Germany really has a thing for "Drei Nüsse für Aschenbrödel".

You mean It's a Wonderful Life, right?

Oh....right. Sorry....it is not exactly a Christmas classic over here. It is usually shown somewhere, but the Christmas programming in Germany is all about Fairy Tales, Astrid Lindgreen and Loriot.