- How politics shapr media.
We all crave real human stories (youtube,n.d.). Maybe that is why there are a lot of successful movies about politics these days. Darkest Hour is a typical example. In this movie, Winston Churchill is faced with a difficult decision, whether to enter a peace treaty with Hitler or stand and fight. This movie shows the separation between the general public, the people who are not affiliated with politics. And the people who have this incredible moral dilemma make all the decisions for everyone else (youtube,n.d.). It’s the heart of the film where he’s talking to the people; Winston Churchill asked the people hiding in bomb shelters, ‘What would you do for it? If you appear on those, those streets above’. Everyone answered ‘Fight’. The film described the human aspect of it through this scene. In this movie, the way politics shape media is through impressive stories and philosophical asking.
Thank you for Smoking Trailer use funny satire with sharp dialogue to tell us how the cigarette company ‘force’ the public to accept their product. The tobacco industry makes money like alcohol and firearms. Although it’s harmful to health, there’s always advocates as well as opposing forces. The reason for this could be traced back to the influence of the media. Even if you didn’t smoke, you could not escape those who did. Cigarettes were in the hands of trusted newsmen, beloved cartoon characters and cowboys in TV commercials (youtube,n.d.). And they made a video to promote their value of freedom, authenticity and master of destiny. Some people look at the advertisement and goes, pull it back a little bit. And John Oliver, a famous talk show host, said, ‘Cigarettes we’re talking about, not Jesus’. Not only that, countries can try to counteract the influence of that kind of marketing, but tobacco companies will put them through legal hell if they feel too threatened. In history, there has been a ridiculous lawsuit. Two tobacco companies sued Australia in its highest court to stop packaging law. The law makes total consumption of tobacco and cigarettes in Australia fall to record lows (youtube,n.d.). All these actual events are presented in the film through the realistic style of comedy.
2. Two possible topics of research for further design for animation based around politics.
Explore oblivious or enjoyable ways to incorporate political content into the film.
Use analogy to present the political content through a creative story in the movie.
Citation:
You know that scene | politics in film | s1 ep4 – youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvrsrEx4-_Y.
Tobacco: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UsHHOCH4q8.