Cultural Philistia

So today in English we were discussing our new book, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, which is based on African-American folktales. My teacher (a big discussion/personal experience fan) opened up a class discussion about myths and folktales in our personal experience. Anyway, we were talking about movies (as sources of cultural folktales, I suppose), and my teacher is like, "Oh, this is kind of off-topic, but I just saw this film that is a great example of characterization. It's called Napoleon Dynamite."

I probably do some kind of spasm of excitement at this moment: (in my high-pitched Mafia voice) "I LOVE that movie!"

Blank stares around the class (no I'm not kidding, people).

Mr. Carlier: "It's about these kids in . . . where is it, Idaho, or somewhere like that . . . they're kind of nerdy, they don't really do anything, just sit around . . ."

A student in my class ( I am NOT MAKING THIS UP): "Well, if the characters don't do anything, how can the movie be any good? What's the point?"

(Mr. Carlier attempts to explain the purpose of Napoleon Dynamite - the class remains relatively nonplussed)

Mr. Carlier: "So, if we have a chance, I'd really like to show it in class."
*whimper of joy from me*
*everybody else looks like they'd rather watch Apocalypse Now*

OK, maybe I'm mis-characterizing this a little; you can't really blame these Europeans for not appreciating the masterpiece of our time, because the movie never showed in Europe (although there were two Americans in the class - treason!). Nevertheless, as an unapologetic, die-hard Napoleon Dynamite junkie (perhaps I have an "unhealthy obsession" for the movie), I am appalled! So much for Europe as the artistic capital of the world (if a continent was ever a capital in the first place).

Sam