Philip Kraske discusses his new set-in-Morocco play How Far Casablanca. Unlike the Bogart-Bacall film, it is not romantic war propaganda set in an exotic location, but rather a black comedy involving outrageous media lies covering up horrendous crimes of state (a genre Kraske has mined more than once). The underlying theme involves naive America, psychopathic Israel, and long-suffering Palestine. It’s a tight, well-constructed effort. If I ever teach a college class on red-pilled literature—an ever-unlikelier prospect—I’ll put this one on the syllabus.
We’ll also talk about Phil’s articles on RFK Jr.’s prospects and perceptions of Putin and Russia.
Philip Kraske is an expatriate American novelist, playwright, poet, and language teacher.
Excerpt:
“Kevin, you and I always exaggerate the interest of Americans in foreign policy. Yes, people don't like the images on TV. Yes, people say, oh, this is awful, Israelis can't do this. But number one, the mainstream media gives them a very sanitized version of what's going on. And second, what goes on beyond American shores…I mean, Every time I go back to America, it's just the same. The moment I start talking, even with educated people—the moment I start talking about what's going on in Europe (I live in Spain), what's going on in Spain, what's going on in the world, what's going on with President Putin, about how I think he's somewhat vilified, there's just no interest. It's like something that happens on Mars. Very sad, but that's the reality.
“And I have a feeling that Kennedy looks at it the same way. Yeah, everybody hates what's going on with Gaza, but when it comes to voting, when it comes to really worrying about it, well, it's a lot of university students who are making a lot of trouble and things like that. I just don't think it registers with the general public. It has to be like pretty close to nuclear war or a 9-11 before people sort of wake up and say, ooh, God almighty…”
Philip Kraske on RFK Jr., Gaza, and His New Play “How Far Casablanca”