Film and Ideology

Films are structured according to systems of belief that describe the world but also shape it.

Ideologies are beliefs so are not always logical

Ideologies are influenced by family, cultural background, education and popular culture.

Ideologies are usually so commonsensical they are obvious--but they form a basis for individual and group decisions about the organization of society from economics to social norms to perceived sexual and racial differences.

There is disagreement about the precise way ideologies in films affect viewers. Some critics view popular films as a "culture industry," or as entertainment contaminated with repressive ideologies.  According to this view, films purvey the conservative values of the powerful interests that control the film corporations.  Past studies suggested that commercial cinema may seduce naive audiences into compliance because films perpetuate oppressive class divisions. But in the last 20 years, scholars have argued that popular films carry contradictory messages about class, gender, race, etc., and that viewers may not passively accept these views, but question them.

Since the 1920s, films have had an enormous cultural impact around the world.  Movies have been a major socializing force in American culture, influencing the way people looked talked and acted.  Hollywood's influence continues; now on a global scale.

Like all film critics, ideological critics evaluate films according to certain criteria.  One critic might argue that American popular film emphasizes an image that the US is a military powerhouse which only resorts to violence when necessary.  Another critic might agree, but argue that the films present masculinity as synonymous with physical dominance.  A third critic might look at the way male and female characters use violence to dominate others.

The analyses of ideological criticism in this chapter are about American popular films, partly because U.S. films dominate the global market, so the ideological thrust of American films carries a particular force in the world.   

I.    Ideolgies of Racial Difference

        A.    Historically in the US and Europe, there was a dominant, mistaken belief that there were several biologically distinct races, and that the white race was superior to all others.  This led to slavery, segregation and discrimination.  This was illustrated in The Birth of the Nation. That film depicts African-Americans as foolish, servile or menacing while the white characters are mostly noble and courageous.   The treatment of black people and its validation of Ku Klux Klan violence made it controversial in its day. Thee NAACP protested and DW Griffith sought to address the criticism in his next film, Intolerance.  But that film was about ancient cultures and made no reference to contemporary America.  Films such as Birth of the Nation and Gone with the Wind reinforce the idea of racial hierarchy.  The plotlines revolve around white characters because their lives are presumed to be appealing and universal.  Most Hollywood films before 1970 ignore the fact that African-American characters have lives independent from their white employers.

            1.    Misplaced Heroism in Mississippi Burning

                    a.    Based on actual incident involving killing of 3 civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964. The film deviated from actual events by creating two fictional characters, white FBI agents, who become the focal points of the action (Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe).

                    b.    Black characters are marginalized, treated as children rather than agents of social change. Although no overtly negative stereotypes are used, black characters are treated as a group, not as individuals.  The review in the chapter says the plot is over simplified because it has chosen to foreground two white characters while painting all others as victims or evildoers.

II.    Ideologies of Gender

        A.    Feminist Criticism and Alien Mothering

III.    Ideologies of Sexuality

        A.    Gay Male Sexuality and Mr. Ripley's Talent

IV.    Ideologies of Class

        A.    Class Mobility and Racial Conflict in Rocky

V.    Ideologies of National Identity

        A.    National Identity: Black Hawk Down