Movies reflect culture through their narratives, characters and the way the movie makes us feel about contemporary issues. Learn about how films reflect cultures here.
Culture is a word we hear a lot, but what does it mean? Trying to pinpoint a definition of culture is not easy, and even academics have wrestled and debated the term for decades. Yet, one way of defining culture is by how we experience everyday life and society. What are the typical behaviors of the people we live with at home and in the wider community? Naturally, culture changes between nationalities and peoples, which also explains why it is said to be plural, and we have many cultures.
How Movies Relate to Culture
Movies are related to culture by showing us narratives, characters and predicaments that we recognize. One character in a film may be going through something that we have experienced and may have to face the same problems. Through a wider lens, the overall plot of the story may resemble the culture we know and its current issues from war, poverty, the class divide, racism, environmental issues and more.
Films that want to be classed as contemporary must touch on the topics that modern culture is concerned with. Therefore, a movie can relate to one or many cultures, but its relation to culture may lose strength over time as culture also changes and new trends emerge.
It is also possible that sub-cultures exist within one culture, which movies can try to tap into. For example, someone who likes online gambling and wants to read a guide for the best online casinos may also want to watch movies to do with real-life gambling stories, such as 21 which is based on the MIT Blackjack Team. Furthermore, someone who is into sports may want to watch films like Green Street or Goal, which look into the UK’s footballing (fan) culture.
But Do Only Realistic Films Relate to Culture?
There is a common misconception that only realistic films can relate to culture. For example, a science fiction movie may not be seen as a movie that can connect to culture because the storyline will be unfamiliar to our culture – unless you are secretly from Mars.
Despite this immediate problem, there is a chance that science fiction and unrealistic films can relate to culture. Although they may do it in subtler ways such as character predicaments and the feelings they have for other characters. After all, jealousy, love, hate and different emotions are all part of our culture too. These unrealistic films can relate to culture through their characters easier than their narratives.
Why These Movies Succeed
Movies that reflect our culture usually succeed when it comes to film reviews and box office figures. The reason for this is quite simple. Movies that relate to culture are relatable and resonate with us. We can connect with these films because we understand them and their messages easier. That doesn’t mean all films that reflect culture will succeed, but it does improve their chances.
5 Responses
Who wrote this article? Would like to cite it.
Your mom wrote it
it’s true, I was there
it’s true, i was with your parents
im your dad