The role of the
movie has changed dramatically with time and the social climate. Movies began as a method of storytelling and
not much else. Their purpose was to tell
stories in a new and innovative manner, little more. But as the world has changed and the movie
industry has progressed and expanded the purpose of the movie has changed. My thesis is that movies began as vehicles to
tell stories and as such reflected the views of the time, but as the popularity
of movies increased movies became vehicles for change, a way to get people to
question their preconceived notions and views.
There is without a
doubt some substance in earlier films but the views portrayed in these earlier
films reflect only the popular views of the time. Later films showcase other views and
ideas. These were views and ideas that
were often not the cultural norm. These
ideas often challenged the notions of the time rather than confirm them as previous
movies had. These movies made you think
about the world you lived in. They brought
up uncomfortable ideas and movements, they challenged viewers to not be passive
and get up and make a change. For
example preproduction for the newer Ben Hur began in 1957, which is also the
year that Joseph McCarthy died, many Americans had felt targeted by McCarthy his
hunt to find communists in America and a very similar form of targeting can be
seen in the way Messala urges Judah to give up Jewish dissenters in Judea. Another
example of a movement portrayed in the movies is the women’s movement in
Cleopatra. Never before had a woman been
portrayed as so strong or independent.
This correlates directly with the surge of women demanding better jobs
in the work place.
If we look at the more
modern eras in our history we will no doubt find movies that challenge our
views and reflect the movements of the time.
Movements that often challenged society’s current order. Looking at our history there is one thing
that can be seen clearly across all cultures, countries, and times: we as
humans don’t like change.
I think you could go over the earlier movies more, though you no doubt intend to. Also, haven't movies, and in fact all stories, been a vehicle for change, such as Battleship Potemkin or even the Iliad, stories designed to boost the confidence, unity, and resolve of nations, or even Aesop and the Bible, which suggest morals to make ones life better? How is Cleopatra's relationship to the women's rights movement of the sixties any more reflecting of the views of its time than Cabiria's message of support for the growing Italian empire and its attempt at gaining new colonies in old Roman footholds in its time?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bryce; movies that are made in a certain time period often reflect the society of that time. I also think you need more concrete evidence in regards to your thesis. Talking about the impact those movies had on their audience and society's reaction to them would be a great way to do so.
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