For me, the capitalist critique of Paddington wins out: VisitBritain and its “Britain Through Paddington’s Eyes” campaign was launched in 2014, alongside the first film. “Paddington is GREAT Britain” was its cry. Paddington is completely over-exposed: 50 Paddington statues, stamps, merchandise; the part of Notting Hill not given to Julia Roberts, who is as unavailable as the bear is available; tea with Elizabeth II and, on her ending, a sort of death master of ceremonies ushering her towards the Styx. Paddington is another Elizabeth II, another Captain Tom, and they bespeak anxiety as much as power. They are myths. The authors are...
Monitoring Antisemitism Intel
