When discussing how film has changed throughout the years, it is imperative to discuss two of the pillars on which film culture stands: technology and social acceptability. The date that a film was released will undoubtedly be affected by the technology available at the time of its creation and the sociocultural norms of the era. One of the works being called upon as an example for this discussion is Rosemary’s Baby. Scenes combining religious and sexual themes made some viewers uneasy, as it was a taboo combination of topics to be filmed and broadcasted during the late 1960’s. In a somewhat similar category of film that takes on controversial topics is Ingmar Bergman’s Through a Glass Darkly. The movie discusses a plethora of subjects considered taboo at the time; deteriorating mental health, adultery, etc.
Much of both Through a Glass Darkly and Rosemary’s Baby negative critical reception stemmed from one of two issues – the topic being covered or the way the topic was covered. Not only did Bergman create a discussion around religion and the role it plays in the lives of a multitude of individuals, he portrayed God as both good and evil. Though God comes to Karin in a form that is menacing and frightening, by the end of the movie the family seems complacent in her state and their relationship with God. The juxtaposition of a film based upon God including largely sexualized scenes contributes to the “frontrunner” status Berman maintained. Ingmar Bergman was adamant throughout his career that although he identified as a liberal, he did not attempt to create film that portrayed his own personal views. It is commonly argued that he did not do the best job, as his films are typically centered around existentialism, faith, loneliness and mortality. While this draws in certain viewers, it can ostracize others.
In the case of Polanski, the film is considered a frontrunner for modern horror, and maintains a large worldwide fanbase. Much of this admiration stems from Roman Polanski’s willingness to “offend” the audiences in a manner that still allowed him to achieve commercial success. Rosemary’s Baby paved the way for modern-day horror films and contributed greatly to the style in which they are both told and shot. It features cast members from nearly all walks of adult life and withholds excessive gore or violence. The most “difficult to watch” scene of the film is still mild by today’s standards, with limited nudity and aggression as Satan’s child is conceived. Critics acclaim the film’s ability to stay so close to the original plot played out within the novel, with whole narratives being derived directly from the book’s text. Following the release of Rosemary’s Baby, a string of other films surrounding Satanic worship were released. None achieved the same fame, but similarities can be found. At the time, a newfound ratings system had been put in place to provide strict guidelines for filmmakers depending upon the intended audience; this absolutely changed filmmaking changed forever and in the case of Rosemary’s Baby – for the better. The ratings system is a concept many of us have never known the film industry to be without. One could argue that this economic decision altered the way we view media forever – and simultaneously allowed filmmakers to line their pockets regardless of the content of their film.
A massive hurdle facing many directors is how to spark a conversation surrounding controversial issues while still releasing a product capable of success among the masses. While the ratings system did assist in relieving some of the burden of this issue, it didn’t fix everything. Sure, now you can release a horror film specifically meant for a particular audience. If your film contains racy themes, gear it entirely towards an adult audience. Movies such as Insidious still generate plenty in the box office, but a blockbuster film can generate incomprehensible amounts of revenue. To understand how one truly achieves this, you need look no farther than Star Wars: A New Hope. This movie is regarded as one of the very first blockbusters, and manages to combine adult themes, political commentary and family fun all on one screen. The film quickly became a culture phenomenon and continues to astound men and women around the world with its undying legacy. Within a society that moves so quickly and hesitates so little to lose interest in the latest fad, a movie series capable of entertaining individuals across generations is particularly impressive. Upon delving further into the reasons why that may potentially be, a few things become increasingly evident:
From a historical standpoint, Star Wars has been interwoven through world history in the oddest of ways. In the early 80’s, when the second film was released, the US and Soviet Union were in the midst of a Cold War. Comparisons have been drawn between fictional characters and real political leaders, but perhaps the most blatant comparison was made by Reagan himself when he referred to the Soviet Union as an evil empire, similarly to the way that the phrasing “evil Galactic empire” is utilized throughout each of the films. Vincent Watson wrote about Star Wars: A New Hope from a fascinating political viewpoint: “What catches my eye the most was Georges association of Richard Nixon and the Vietnam war to the movie. In the return of the Jedi George Lucas was asked if emperor valentine was a Jedi and George responds with “No, he was a politician. Richard M. Nixon was his name. He subverted the senate and finally took over and became an imperial guy and he was really evil. But he pretended to be a really nice guy.” He also goes on to detail the way that Darth Vader was said to have a helmet meant to resemble that of a German soldier’s during World War II.
George Lucas was also a pioneer in the realm of CGI and the use of robotics. Though both had been used to some extent before, a storyline that was set entirely in outer space and demanded high technological content as well as the promise of moments sure to wow the audience. The result? Intergalactic space battles that are impressive some 30 years later, robots such as R2D2 that can still be found in toy form of the nightstand of children world, and an innumerable number of memorable moments for generations to come. It does not come as a surprise that George Lucas made billions of dollars following the original prequel series.
Katherine Hyde does a wonderful job of detailing how another blockbuster, Alien, was an unorthodox success because so many viewers felt uncomfortable and yet still enjoyed the film. Present day, the film is shocking but a relatively easy watch. Mylikha Ditto-Campo also delved into blockbusters and their booming success when she discusses how both technology and budgeting had an effect on Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
The final film that will be called into discussion is The Breakfast Club. Though entirely different form the aforementioned films in content, the sheer success of a film based upon coming of age themes lends itself to the purpose of this blog – drawing attention to the effect social norms carry on the content of films. The Breakfast Club is known by generations old and new, and one could argue that its overwhelming popularity at least partially stems from the relatability of the issues faced by the stars of the movie – the teenagers. Within The Breakfast Club, the dynamics between young adults (teenagers) and their authoritative superiors is scrutinized. Each teen represents various difficulties experienced by the masses within Western culture and places emphasis on the negative presence of Mr. Vernon, who is meant to represent adults in general and the way that they sometimes choose to communicate with those they feel should be subordinate to their wishes and demands. Sexual references, adult language, and recreational drug use all occur on screen, contributing to the film’s “R” rating. The ability to gear the film towards a particular audience using a rating for both the big screen and TV allowed for commercial success even when portraying controversial issues such as depression, abusive relationships, etc.
No matter your viewpoint on how and why certain films achieve success, and how film has evolved with the everchanging world around it, you cannot deny that the industry changes every year. As critical advancements are made in cameras, CGI, recording equipment, makeup and costumes, the fruit of their labor does as well. It is impossible for a society to constantly grow and redefine its values without that which is used for entertainment to grow and be redefined as well. Technology and socially acceptable cultural influences have had a lasting effect on the content of our movies. The world we live in continues to change depending on societies’ views of what is to be generally accepted versus not. It can be surprising how cultural values trickle down into entertainment. For example, it was not always common to see transgendered or openly gay actors/actresses on the big screen, and now we do not bat an eye. One thing is for certain, the film industry is nowhere near done changing yet – it never will be.
How Star Wars Changed the World
The Breakfast Club: Academic Article
Roger Ebert: The Breakfast Club
Roger Ebert: Through a Glass Darkly
Thomas Hibbs: Through a Glass Darkly
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