The Hidden Bad Brains Allusion in ‘Silver Circle’
July 11th, 2013
Now that a growing number of people have seen Silver Circle, either at our screening -->events --> in select cities or at home via online, cable, or satellite Video On Demand networks, we will begin posting blogs on occasion which point out some of the hidden Easter eggs that appear in the film. For those unfamiliar with the idiom, Wikipedia describes an Easter egg in media as “an intentional inside joke, hidden message, or feature in a work such as a computer program, movie, book, or crossword.” The movie is packed with such references.
In Silver Circle, the dome atop the US Capitol building is broken, which is both a metaphor for the deterioration of the government itself and an allusion to the cover of the punk band Bad Brains’ self-titled debut album, depicted above. Director Pasha Roberts also drew a correlation between the iconic album cover and the tarot card called The Tower. Jam the Bad Brains classic “Banned in DC” in the player below, and join us after the jump as we further explore the symbolism.
Symbolizing Wear and Tear on the US Government
In Silver Circle, the broken US Capitol top represents wear-and-tear on the structure of the government itself. The Bad Brains’ album cover served as the perfect source of inspiration, as it features lightning striking the Statue of Freedom on top of the Capitol dome. Bad Brains originally formed in Washington DC and, as such, would be considered local to the setting of the film.
The damage to the US Capitol dome in Silver Circle implies that past events have injured the cause of freedom that the architecture was originally designed to represent. It is also symbolic of the real-world corruption which accosts modern America. In truth, the American republic is no longer as free as it once was.
The Connection to the Tarot Card, The Tower
The Tower is a tarot card that represents sudden, unexpected catastrophes, particularly those that shatter a worldview built around one’s ego. The lightning represents an epiphany or disaster which exposes an uncomfortable truth. A cursory glance at the above-provided picture of The Tower shows deep similarities to the Bad Brains’ cover.
Economic crashes caused by the Federal Reserve in a way serve as catastrophes that wake people up from their ego-driven worldviews. It’s hard for most people to notice when society begins to crumble around them, at least until the underlying situation hits a true breaking point. Ultimately, the typical person has no interest in civic affairs until an economic disaster causes a lifestyle disruption.
As you’re watching Silver Circle, pay close attention to the US Capitol dome, and you’ll notice this particular Easter egg, a reference to both the iconic DC punk band Bad Brains and The Tower tarot card. Stay tuned to this blog for more hints and info about Easter eggs that can be found in the film.
Silver Circle is showing now on Video on Demand platforms! Check it out on our watch online page and find out about local theater showings of the film and other special events on our -->event page -->.
