Home Does film influence society or does society influence film?
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You know the does art imitate life or life imitate art age-old debate? That is taken in an entirely new form here. However, rather than a one or the other argument, like the previous question, the question I pose is: does film influence society or vice-versa? Here, the two are intertwined together, like a river connecting two reservoirs. So the answer is film and society both influence each other greatly, but so much so that neither one influences each other more.
“Good movies communicate the culture, values, hopes, dreams, successes and failures of our societies, both to us as Americans and to the rest of the world.Today, every developed country and many developing nations are producing noteworthy movies and through the power of global distribution such movies are being enjoyed by audiences worldwide.” Movies are one of the best art forms for artists to create, simple because it is the epitome of many art forms put together. “Combining as they do, sound and pictures, music and artistic cinematography, acting and dialog, movies convey ideas, emotions, and artistic expressions with greater power and range than any other form of entertainment.” But this all comes from the filmmakers. Movies are created by the filmmakers who want to express something (a theme for example) in a visual medium. This can be done through their own experience as an artist and their own ability to create, or by other people’s experiences, cultures and events. In this sense, society influences movies. Society contains many themes, ideas, stories and events for movies to portray onscreen. If the filmmaker uses the substance well, they are able to tap into the emotions the influences do and leave the audience with a powerful emotional message.
This is where film influences society. Due to the powerful messages and ideas society has to offer and the prevalence of movies in our world, movies are a ubiquitous way to share those messages. “Last year worldwide box office revenues for American films reached a record high of $26 billion, with almost $10 billion coming from the U.S. alone. Add to this the retail value generated by films on DVD and TV you quickly arrive at revenues in excess of $100 billion. This puts the film industry almost on par with the U.S. airlines industry.These statistics are impressive in view of the proliferation of mass media that compete with movies for our time, attention and our information and entertainment needs.” So the film industry is very profitable and very mainstream in all of the world. As such, most people have or will be exposed to movies and the issues/messages it will offer. “People of most walks of life experience movies, from the working class to the super-rich, and it provides a common experience for society to talk about issues with a bit of ‘safety net'”. When this is done, the general public can have greater awareness of an issue that was unknown at the time. This can inspire people to make changes in society or inspire them to make movies about issues they care about.
We have now come full circle. As I have just shown, the influences of society and film are both connected and seek to serve each other. Do not be fooled into thinking into one or the other, as both can have powerful effects on the other.
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February 16, 2018 3:05 pm
I think there is a difference between a film and a movie. A movie is something that serves to entertain an audience, for example The Avengers (2012) lacks artistic concepts. But, the movie is extremely entertaining. Whereas, a film is art, it has a purpose and message. For example the film The Lobster (2015) has a deeper message and reflects societies dull idea of love. So, a movie is influenced by society to be entertaining and has the sole purpose to make as much money as possible. Thus, they target as many people ass possible. But, a film influences society, and is influenced by society at the same time. They take concepts from our everyday life and turn them into something beautiful with a message and tries to influence you into believing something. Great paper.
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February 16, 2018 2:48 pm
I think society influences film, and film influences society. They go hand and hand some things aren’t even thought about until it is seen in a film. That is why it is important to make certain films that make people aware of what is happening around them. It is like giving a person a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes in a sense.
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As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the intersection of film and society, I find the debate on whether film influences society or vice versa to be a fascinating and complex one. The interconnected relationship between these two realms, akin to a river connecting reservoirs, is a dynamic interplay that shapes our cultural landscape.
The argument presented in the article resonates with my own understanding of the profound impact that movies have on societies worldwide. The assertion that "good movies communicate the culture, values, hopes, dreams, successes and failures of our societies" underscores the pivotal role that films play as a reflection of the collective human experience.
From a filmmaker's perspective, I concur with the idea that movies are a powerful amalgamation of various art forms, combining sound, pictures, music, cinematography, acting, and dialogue to convey ideas and emotions with unparalleled potency. Having delved into the intricacies of film production, I recognize the immense responsibility that filmmakers bear in shaping narratives that resonate with societal themes, ideas, and events.
The article accurately points out that society influences movies by providing a rich tapestry of themes, ideas, stories, and events for filmmakers to portray onscreen. Filmmakers, drawing from their own experiences and cultural backgrounds, tap into the collective consciousness of society to craft narratives that resonate with audiences on a profound level.
Conversely, the influence of film on society is undeniable. The ubiquity of movies in our globalized world, coupled with the staggering box office revenues and the film industry's mainstream status, ensures that films are a pervasive medium for sharing messages. The statistic highlighting the record-high worldwide box office revenues for American films, coupled with the influence of films on DVD and TV, underscores the significant reach and impact of the film industry.
The notion that movies provide a common experience for society to discuss issues with a 'safety net' aligns with my observation that films serve as a catalyst for public discourse. The shared experience of watching a film allows for a collective understanding of societal issues, fostering awareness that can inspire individuals to instigate positive changes or create films that address pertinent concerns.
In the comments section, the distinction between a "movie" and a "film" further enriches the discourse. The idea that a movie serves primarily to entertain, while a film is a form of art with a deeper message, resonates with the dual nature of the film-society relationship. Both entertaining movies and artistic films play distinct roles in influencing and reflecting societal values.
In conclusion, the intricate web of influence between film and society is a dynamic and reciprocal relationship, with each shaping and responding to the other. This nuanced understanding aligns with my own expertise and experiences in exploring the profound impact of cinema on the cultural fabric of societies worldwide.
