How Movies Impact Our Societies | MultiLingual Insights (2024)


Audiovisual input and output devices are used in abundance these days. Now more than ever, everyone is watching videos. Because of this, the film industry is arguably one of the most influential sectors of modern society. Sitcoms and comedy shows make us laugh, psychological thrillers help us see the world from new perspectives, and historical films help us understand where we’ve come from as a people. Every video and every film can reflect society and transform opinions.

The undisputed raw power of movies

The power of audiovisuals has been manifested and exploited politically, socially, and economically throughout history. Leaders such as Adolf Hitler, for example, successfully used films as propaganda tools during World War II. Unfortunate facts like these show the raw power of film — an immense power that has even caused revolutions.

As technology keeps growing, political and economic leaders have utilized cinema in changing and shaping people’s outlooks either for their own benefit or for the benefit of the people. Quality translations are also readily available and extremely affordable for everyone these days, which makes it easy for filmmakers to reach their target audiences from all corners of the world in their mother tongue.

A good movie can entertain, educate, and inspire the viewer in many ways. Think of the impact that songs have on people, for example. They can make us think. They can make us compassionate. They can inspire us to help others and to do good to and for humanity.

Romantic movies, on the other hand, can remind us why love is important and why it is worth fighting for. They make us cry and laugh at our own romantic flaws. Crime and action TV shows also warn us about the dangers of criminal activities, terrorism, and war.

In some cases, movies can even awaken a sense of empathy in people who have never experienced war firsthand. They may help us feel responsible for our brothers and sisters living in war-torn countries even as much as we’ve never been there ourselves.

Of particular note for the localization industry, movies mirror culture.

Every movie is set and developed in a particular culture. Movies are an integral part of us; they mirror what we believe and how we coexist as people. It is easier to see our concerns, attitudes, flaws and strengths in films than it is to decipher them from our daily interactions. When our prevalent beliefs and ideologies are challenged in films, we are sometimes able to interrogate ourselves and embrace change.

And thanks to audiovisual translations, people from all over the world are able to watch movies and understand the cultures of faraway communities. Take Netflix, for example. Netflix is an online streaming provider that hosts a multitude of movies and programs for viewers from all around the world. Netflix streams movies in different languages, portraying different cultures and traditions that enable viewers from any place in the world to get acquainted with other nations’ cultures. In fact, according to Netflix viewing data, nine out of every ten people who watched the German TV series Dark lived outside of Germany. Also, further studies reveal that the top shows watched by people in India include Narcos, Stranger Things, 13 Reasons Why, Riverdale, Black Mirror and Chef’s Table, among others. Because of the effective localization strategies implemented by Netflix, audiences from different parts of the world are able to stream any movie they like with subtitles in a language of their choice or they can choose a dubbed version of the show or movie.

Given the recent events with the spread of the novel coronavirus and various governmental policies for national lockdown across the world, Netflix has experienced a spike in user demand for streaming. In fact, Netflix and other major streaming channels, have cut their bandwidth usage to prevent network congestion.

Besides mirroring our diverse cultures, the film has for a long time been shaping our beliefs and values. A good example is when people copy fashion trends from movie stars and musicians. It is also common these days to find societies using figures of speech that are inspired by the film industry. At the very least, film solidifies selected cultural beliefs and renders some redundant.

How Movies Impact Our Societies | MultiLingual Insights (2024)

FAQs

How does movies impact society? ›

Movies are essential to society because they reflect culture, change culture, and spur economic growth. Cinema is a reflection of its own society. Movies reflect a culture in so many ways. Think about the messages of your favorite movies and how those messages have influenced you.

How did movies impact American society and culture? ›

Movies shape cultural attitudes and customs, as audiences adopt the attitudes and styles of the characters they watch on screen. Filmmakers may use their movies to influence cultural attitudes toward certain social issues, as in Fahrenheit 9/11 and Super Size Me.

How movies affect the society and the current generation? ›

Movies Expand Our Knowledge of History and Values

Some films are based on real-life past events. Such movies aim at enlightening some cultures and inform the society on what to do. Sometimes when the culture is terrible, we can learn its adverse effects through movies.

What is the link between cinema and society? ›

Cinema aids in studying various aspects of society (such as caste, ethnicity, gender). Cinemas also have various cultural, economic, and political implications for the society. Similarly, the type of society also has influence on types of cinemas that are created.

What movies have affected society? ›

Here are some great examples of films that have changed our lives outside the theater in tangible ways.
  • Fight Club inspired fight clubs in real life. ...
  • The Thin Blue Line shook our faith in police. ...
  • The Day After Tomorrow brought global warming to life. ...
  • V For Vendetta inspires hacktivist group Anonymous.

How do movies help socially? ›

In addition to entertaining us, movies also teach us meaningful life lessons and influence our social skills. It is important not to exaggerate and not to go too far into fiction, but to know how to escape into imagination when we need it.

What are the positive impact of movies? ›

Engaging in activities you enjoy, such as watching movies, can be beneficial. It could boost your mental health, relieve stress, and foster relationships.

How do movies impact the youth? ›

Viewing movies with sex, violence, drug abuse, adult themes, and offensive language can have a negative effect on children and adolescents. Many movies are not appropriate for children. Older children and adolescents may copy risky and possibly dangerous things they see in movies.

How movies affect us psychologically? ›

Studies suggest that watching movies can increase our emotional intelligence and also help in improving social connectivity. A study conducted by psychologists at Oklahoma University studied the relation between fictional drama and emotions.

Are movies a reflection of society? ›

We see different worlds through the eyes of others, making us realise there is so much out there, so many distinct cultures, languages, and people, giving us an insight into how the world changes and how we are all connected by the world of cinema.

How movies change your life? ›

Films have the ability to change our lives. With stories that open up other experiences to us, and characters who navigate the forces that we also face in our own lives, the right film at the right time can be transformative.

Do movies influence people's behavior? ›

Watching films, we can escape our own problems for a little while. Also, sometime movies show positive ways to resolve problems we all face. While TV and movies shouldn't be a way to hide from life, sometimes they can help us cope. It is true that movies and television can influence our behavior negatively.

Why are movies significant to our economy? ›

A strong national economy depends on a strong creative economy—and it all starts with a story. The film and television industry supports 2.4 million jobs, pays out $186 billion in total wages, and comprises over 122,000 businesses.

Why are films the mirror of society? ›

"Cinema is an edited reality and a mirror of society. While society decides morality, films are desperate to connect with the audience and fulfil what the society fancies.

Who said cinema is a reflection of society? ›

Kirti Kulhari Quotes

Cinema is a reflection of society and, in most cases, has the ability to be a mirror and not just show the problems but also give solutions and help them reach a large number of people through faces and voices that matter.

Which movie influence your life the most? ›

5 Movies That Will Have A Profound Impact On Your Life
  • The Godfather. “Friendship is everything. ...
  • The Shawshank Redemption. “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” – Andy Dufresne. ...
  • Life of Pi. ...
  • The Pursuit of Happyness. ...
  • Mr. ...
  • 7 Best Exercises to Lose Weight and Burn Calories.
Apr 9, 2016

How do movies and TV influence people's behavior? ›

Watching too much movies or television makes us more violent, more passive and less imaginative. TV programs or movies inspire people to do something what they see. In a movie,we always the two kinds of characters the good one and the bad one. Each has his own of characteristics which symbolize for real people.

What movie had the biggest impact on film history? ›

Most movies follow the yellow brick road. The 1939 cinema classic “The Wizard of Oz” has been identified as the most influential film of all time in a new Italian study. Researchers at the University of Turin analyzed 47,000 films listed on IMDB, and calculated how often each one was referenced by subsequent movies.

What are the positive effects of cinema on society? ›

Advantages of Cinema

It is said to be a reflection of the society only. So, it helps us come face to face with the actuality of what's happening in our society. It portrays things as they are and helps in opening our eyes to issues we may have well ignored in the past. Similarly, it helps people socialize better.

How does film bring people together? ›

Topics galore. You can meet someone from anywhere in the country or world and most likely you've both viewed some of the same movies. Motion pictures equip you with the perfect conversation starter. Furthermore, when you gather with friends and family, nothing can inspire lively conversations quite like movies.

Why do movies motivate us? ›

Movies Can Also Inspire

For example, inspiring movies can cause you to think, have passion, and take action. Other forms of art like songs and poetry can have a similar effect. After watching an inspiring movie, you may feel like you want to improve yourself or humanity in a particular way.

What is impact value for movies? ›

A show's impact value is a proprietary metric used by Netflix to consider a property's respective economic contribution while factoring in subscriber costs and other additional revenues.

Why do movies make us happy? ›

Watching movies encourages emotional release

Even those who often have trouble expressing their emotions might find themselves laughing or crying during a film. This release of emotions can have a cathartic effect and also make it easier for a person to become more comfortable in expressing their emotions.

What effect do movies have on education? ›

Movies are great resource for visual learners because they enable them to understand concepts without the barriers that hinder learning. Just like books, movies allow students insight into the lives of different characters, how their perspective differs and how they handle certain situations.

What influence does cinema have on our society essay? ›

Cinema connects people, acts as a starter of a conversation. It enhances imagination and shows the entire world multiple perspectives and broaden our vision and thinking. Most importantly, it connects different cultures and introduces us to the various forms of art and adds unknown information and facts to our lives.

Is movie good or bad for society? ›

it exerts a tremendous effect on people's psychology. People are exposed to all kinds of emotions in cinema within a short span of 2 to 3 hours. Love, hatred, vengeance, savage violence, rape and many other undesirable activities are shown within such a short period of time.

Do movies have negative impact on society? ›

They can raise important social issues, start new trends and even change our attitudes towards certain things. But there is also a downside to all this – movies can also be responsible for promoting negative stereotypes, encouraging violence and causing other social problems.

Do movies change your perspective of reality? ›

A great example of this derives from movies like Jaws:

The way in which we perceive the fictional characters of movies has a direct impact on what we expect reality to be like. It changes our perspectives and as a result we have unrealistic or unreal expectations. Take the popular movie trilogy 'Batman' as an example.

What can movies teach us about life? ›

Movies teach us all sorts of things: how to aspire, who to fantasize about (all those princes will come), how to smoke, dress, walk into a room (always like Bette Davis). They teach us who to love and how, as well as the ostensible necessity of sacrificing love along with careers.

How does television reflect society? ›

Television reflects cultural values, and it also influences culture. One example of this is the polarization of cable TV news, which is no longer centrist but caters to individual political tastes.

How many people are influenced by films? ›

80 million international travellers influenced by films worldwide - TravelDailyNews International.

Why are movies important in education? ›

Movies are great resource for visual learners because they enable them to understand concepts without the barriers that hinder learning. Just like books, movies allow students insight into the lives of different characters, how their perspective differs and how they handle certain situations.

How do movies influence children's behavior? ›

Overall, the research showed that movies and television can have negative effects on children, spanning from negative health and development effects and language development issues in children under two, to links to obesity, tobacco use, and issues with aggression and attention in older children.

What is the good impact of movies? ›

Movies can provide several mental health benefits.
  • Boost mood. ...
  • Relaxation. ...
  • Motivation. ...
  • Improve relationships. ...
  • Reduce stress. ...
  • Inspire social and cultural reflection.
Feb 25, 2022

How do films inspire us? ›

Movies Can Also Inspire

For example, inspiring movies can cause you to think, have passion, and take action. Other forms of art like songs and poetry can have a similar effect. After watching an inspiring movie, you may feel like you want to improve yourself or humanity in a particular way.

What do movies do for us? ›

In a movie, you may feel various emotions without experiencing the adverse side effects in real life. Many people find it beneficial to relax, reduce anxiety, inspire motivation, and even provide energy for everyday activities.

Why movies are necessary? ›

Help you learn greater things

Movies inform us on various aspects of society. Watching movies can help us learn many things in life. Kids and young generation, learn about the shortcomings in life and various experiences that befall in real life through movies.

How do movies teach us lessons? ›

Movies teach us all sorts of things: how to aspire, who to fantasize about (all those princes will come), how to smoke, dress, walk into a room (always like Bette Davis). They teach us who to love and how, as well as the ostensible necessity of sacrificing love along with careers.

What are the benefits of watching movies studies? ›

Studies suggest that watching movies can increase our emotional intelligence and also help in improving social connectivity. A study conducted by psychologists at Oklahoma University studied the relation between fictional drama and emotions.

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