Coming to an awareness of language by malcolm x

In the last few weeks we have discussed the film industry as producing an industrial commodity and a cultural artifact. For example, we saw how the desire to attract certain audiences had bearing upon the types of narratives that filmmakers decided to produce. We have also discussed how the rise of celebrity and the issue of race in early U.S. cinema reflected broader cultural issues in American Society. In the case of celebrity, it reflected the tension between Victorian conservatism and the rise of consumer society in which film stars were also presented as commodities who lived lavish lifestyles. The representation of race reflected, in part, a desire to re-assert and maintain long entrenched racial hierarchies in American society.

Pick one U.S. film currently released, or released within the last year. In 2 pages, analyze it as both a cultural object and an economic commodity. That is to say, what, in your opinion, were the cultural and economic considerations that went into making the film? For example, what audience was it aiming for and how did this impact the film’s narrative? How did celebrity influence the film’s production? Were the director, actors or actresses “stars”? Does the director have a style that is significant to the film? What genre is the film? Is it a sequel, a franchise or a brand, and if so how does this play into the production? What broader social or cultural issues does it address? What values are portrayed in this film? How was it marketed? How much did it cost to produce? How did it do, or how is it expected to do, at the box office?

Be sure to properly cite sources and include a works cited page.