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Constructing Political Reality

Constructing Political Reality. Politics in Film Braunwarth. The Message. Producer Sam Goldwyn once said, “Messages are for Western Union.” What did he mean? Was he right? Do fictional movies offer a message? Messages Occur at Various Levels Cultural/Proto-Political level

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Constructing Political Reality

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  1. Constructing Political Reality Politics in Film Braunwarth

  2. The Message • Producer Sam Goldwyn once said, “Messages are for Western Union.” • What did he mean? Was he right? • Do fictional movies offer a message? • Messages Occur at Various Levels • Cultural/Proto-Political level • More Intentional/Overt Level

  3. The Make-Believe media • The entertainment media make us believe • Filled with prefabricated images and themes • Often have real ideological/political content • And discourage critical perception of society

  4. Cultural Messages • Films Naturally reflect certain aspects of our Political (and Social) Culture • Send a “Proto-Political” message • Not purely political • Not purely entertainment • But political entertainment • Entertainment format is more insidious • Beliefs are assumed, not preached

  5. Proto-Political Messages • What do you see? • How does it compare to families you know? • What impression of family life does this connote?

  6. Proto-Political Messages • What do you see? • How do you feel for the people in this photo? • What effect might it have on the American public?

  7. Proto-Political Messages • Describe this woman • Does anything look out of the ordinary? • How does this image make you feel? • Why?

  8. Proto-Political Messages • What do you see? • How does this image compare with your idea of a typical African-American family? • If you saw the same image of a Caucasian family would you have the same impression?

  9. Proto-Political Messages • What type of cultural messages are commonly reinforced? • For Instance, A Belief in Individualism • Heroes always save the day • Other Cultural Values? • Consumerism, • Whites > Non-Whites, • First-World > Third-World, • The system is good, but individuals may be corrupt • Many of the films we will see will challenge and thus accentuate these assumptions

  10. Structural Message • Content and form are dictated by the need to make money • Need to Maximize the Audience, How? • Sex • Sex Sells • Women should be thin, young, and passive • Men should be macho and stoic • Violence • Honorable way of settling disputes • These messages have an impact

  11. Intentional Message Some films provide an explicitly political message. • Success depends on what the message is, how it is presented, and who delivers it Most Reinforce the Dominant Political View • Safer to reflect politics rather than shape • Reinforce the Status Quo • Easier to draw an audience

  12. Intentional Message Others Criticize the Dominant Political View • Critiques necessarily provide more information • If just offering heroes, don’t deal with larger socio-political issues • Greater Opportunity for Learning • Often, simply more politically interesting • Art is often a popular avenue for critique

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