¶ … films, there are a series of genres and themes which are used to tell a larger story. It focuses on a number of different areas to include: romanticism, mystery, reality, sex and horror. This provides the audience with another avenue of entertainment that is different from the status quo. These views are challenging conventional practices by offering an alternative form of filmmaking. To fully understand how this shaped contemporary cinema requires focusing three different movies and tracing their influences. Together, these elements will underscore the effects this is having on modern day moviemaking.
Three Films and the Influences of French Nouvelle Vague, the British New Wave/Kitchen Sink Realism, the New German Cinema and the New Latin American Cinema
There are several different disciplines which are impacting the creation of films. The most notable include: French Nouvelle Vague, the British New Wave / Kitchen Sink Realism, New German Cinema and New Latin American Cinema. French Nouvelle Vague is using loosely structure plots, unconventional photographic techniques and characters. British New Wave / Kitchen Sink Realism are using social ideas to illustrate the issues effecting ordinary people. New German Cinema is concentrating on new ideas about contemporary society and the views of the individual. New Latin American Cinema is looking at social issues from a larger national context. In general, these films were utilized to question the status quo and the influence they are having on Latin American countries. This is accomplished using Hollywood techniques and integrating them to create a unique feel for different regions. [footnoteRef:2] [2: Nochimson, Martha. World on Film: An Introduction. (Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), 67 -- 114.]
The three films that will be examined include: The Wave, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry and the Internship. All of them are using various elements of the above disciplines. This enables each movie to tell a unique story using the latest techniques.
The Wave is the classic example of how group thinking can have an impact on political psychology. It is highlighting the way different personalities are able to change and accept the dynamics of the sub-society. This achieved through embracing some of the most common attributes. That influence how the person sees themselves and the way the group is able to fill a void in their lives. In the movie, there is a focus on influence on political psychology and group thinking (i.e. control). This can occur based upon a number of factors. The most notable include: a focus on specific issues, the political ideology of teachers / college professors / members of the group and the targeting of specific segments of society. [footnoteRef:3] [3: The Wave, directed by Dennis Gansel (2008; Berlin: Rat Pack Film Production, 2008) DVD.]
The plot is based upon how someone becomes susceptible to thinking which allows atrocities to occur. The professor encourages everyone to create their own sub-society as a way to see how this works. At first, this brings the class together and it encourages everyone to support the larger ideals of the group. To build upon these beliefs, college professors / teachers / other members of the group will influence how they look at themselves and those around them. This can further instill a sense of community and make the person to feel as if they are a part of something special. When this happens, the person will become more radicalized in their beliefs. Over the course of time, they will engage in actions to support the group and demonstrate how they are following various social norms. Moreover, control can more easily be exerted on those who are from specific segments of society (i.e. The young and social outcasts). This serves as a way for them to identify with everyone and to have a sense of family. It also enables them to build their self-confidence and address critical weaknesses in their lives. These areas will have an influence on individual psychology by changing how they see themselves and the basic issues they support. Once this occurs, is when they will do more for the group by having a sense of belonging and needing their support to feel stronger / more self-confident. However, as the film continues this creates racism and divisiveness. It eventually ends with the professor committing suicide, as he feels responsible for what happened. While the other members of the group are confused and do not know how they will go on without the shared identify and values. [footnoteRef:4] [4: The Wave, directed by Dennis Gansel (2008; Berlin: Rat Pack Film Production, 2008) DVD.]
This movie is embracing French...
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