Film Topics: Ideology Mr. Skaar ALHS Film Studies

The history of all human society, past and present, has been the history of class struggle. Karl Marx

Introduction Ideology is usually defined as a body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or culture.

Topics of Discussion Degrees of Didacticism The Left - Center - Right Model Culture, Religion, and Ethnicity Feminism Gay Liberation Tone

Degrees of Didacticism Double Function of Art: To teach and to provide pleasure (Didactic/Entertaining) Degrees of Didacticism: Neutral (Honey, I shrunk the Kids) Implicit (Splash, Pretty Woman) Explicit (Alexandar Nyvsky, The Grapes of Wrath, Boyz N the Hood)

Degrees of Didacticism Vast majority of American films are Implicit Star system often provides clues Personality Stars (John Wayne): clear Actor Stars (Tom Cruise, Alan Rickman): unclear Good looks, sex appeal contribute to positive image Tom Cruise (Top Gun, Born on 4 th of July) Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman) Other methods which enlist our sympathies: Underdogs Emotionally Vulnerable Funny, Charming, Intelligent soften Negatively drawn character traits

Degrees of Didacticism Analysis of ideological values difficult Character usually a fusion of conflicting traits Character’s values not necessarily those of film maker Ideology another language system in film with many forms of expression—dialect, editing styles (montage,e.g.), costumes, sound, space, camera angles

The Left - Center - Right Model Ideology Spectrum –Left Communist Socialist Liberal/Radical –Center Liberal Centrist Conservative –Right Conservative/Reactionary Monarchist/Theocratic Fascist

The Left - Center - Right Model Ideological Institutions and Values –Democratic vs. Hierarchical –Environment vs. Heredity –Relative vs. Absolute –Secular vs. Religious –Future vs. Past –Cooperation vs. Competition –Outsiders vs. Insiders –International vs. Nationalistic –Sexual Freedom vs. Marital Monogamy

Culture, Religion, and Ethnicity Different cultures have different values. –Homogenous –Heterogeneous Different times have different values. Religious values vary from culture to culture, and time to time. Some cultures contain a variety of ethnic groups with distinct values.

Feminism—Women’s Liberation Product of the ’60s Prior to ’60s women second class –Screenwriting, editing, etc. –Lesser billing as stars (no “old” female stars) –Stereotyped roles Outside North America and Europe, sexism still dominant Many filmmakers champion the cause of women’s rights.

Gay Liberation Also a product of the ’60s Arts and entertainment fields tend to be understanding and accepting. Homophobia (fear of homosexuality), like racism and sexism, widespread in film until recently –Never appeared overtly –Implicit (Maltese Falcon, Rebel Without a Cause)

Tone Manner of Presentation General Atmosphere Determining Factors –Acting Styles –Genre –Voice-over narrator –Music

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