is cinema a public danger?

[rebekko]

Dear members of this forum,

I was entering this forum with the purpose of hearing what others think on the matter "cinema". (Or movie, as it is said in America).

My idea is that cinema is dangerous because it "creates" opinions in an explicit but also in a hidden way. I am trying to find

more (or better expressed) arguments to carry on this idea.

What is your opinion?

[Roll Right]

No I don't believe cinema or movies are a public danger. The danger lies in imagery and monopolies on information - i.e. creating imagery to disseminate false information or trying to masquerade false images as the truth. This is postmodernism at its finest.

[rebekko]

Thank you for your opinion. Unfortunately is the only one. I had hoped to hear more of them.

[heathenist]

If you are arguing that cinema is a public danger then you could use the same reasoning to argue that any art form is a public danger. Pierre Bourdieu would probably argue that the ruling class could use cinema to impose a false reality on the public. For example, by creating images of minorities who are viewed as villains, the public may start to believe that minorities are more likely to be "bad". By creating this mindset they are increasing their "symbolic capital" because the ruling class is made of mostly non-minorities. But no, I don't believe cinema is a public danger, however, I do believe that the corporations who impose these ideas can be a public danger.

I suggest reading works written Pierre Bourdieu.

[Doctor Jimmy]

I think cinema just as often advances new and/or good ideas as "planting" dangerous ones. It could be seen as a public good as much or more than a danger. But you can definitely argue it either way.

[joops]

I would consider propaganda of most kinds to be dangerous. However, it seems that modern cinema, especially in the US, is quite positive. I think this is further true for television. Actually, one of the reasons why I like TV so much is because I consider it a barometer for cultural ideas and opinions.

This is especially true for taking the stigma off of gay relationships. When I watch Modern Family, for example, it makes me hope that people watch it and realize that gay parents are fully able to raise happy, healthy children. I imagine it's also helpful for gay teens who watch shows like Glee to realize that they are not alone.

So, in short, I believe that cinema is more a force for good than bad.

[Roll Right]

Also, you should consult "Simulacra and Simulation" by Jean Baudrillard. He discusses the power of image extensively - how simulated reality has replaced real to such an extreme that "real" no longer exists.

PDF online for free: http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/theory/Baudrillard-Simulacra_and_Simulation.pdf

[rebekko]

Thank you for your statements; I see that all are "for" and not "against" cinema. I think that this depends mostly from the idea that everyone consider himself able to understand if a "message" is good or bad; in fact able to have the control. Of course we have the control of our feelings and we are able to judge if a message is positive or not, but we are not always aware of that and we are not always "alerted" about what we are watching.

Why is advertising so succesful? Short advertising films are great art works; they go directly to one's feelings, to one's emotions. In fact, the economic movement (philosophic school?) which fights for the idea of Degrowth,

says that advertising should be banned: prohibited.

I see cinema as a softened avertising; therefore dangerous.

[maximus82]

What about free speech? Is that dangerous then?

[rebekko]

What about free speech? Is that dangerous then?

Such a question means only one thing; I was not able to express my view.

I will try again

[maximus82]

Such a question means only one thing; I was not able to express my view.

I will try again

you expressed your views alright, I just wanted to get your opinion on free speech.

[Roll Right]

Cinema is only a vehicle for messages. Symbols make up messages. It really depends on the message, the audience, and the quality of the symbols in the message. You can't say cinema in particular is a dangerous thing. What about books and artistic works? Books have inspired and driven people to do incredible and terrible things. Media in general is simply the mass communication of thoughts, perspectives and fact. You've got an argument to make here, but don't limit it to cinema.

[rebekko]

Cinema is only a vehicle for messages. Symbols make up messages. It really depends on the message, the audience, and the quality of the symbols in the message. You can't say cinema in particular is a dangerous thing. What about books and artistic works? Books have inspired and driven people to do incredible and terrible things. Media in general is simply the mass communication of thoughts, perspectives and fact. You've got an argument to make here, but don't limit it to cinema.

You are right about books, but a book is only a piece of paper and you must be willing to read it and you have to do some work with your imagination. Also cinema must be willingly be watched, but cinema works on several

approaches; pictures, sound, words, volume, atmosphere and expecially a combination of all these elements. Just like advertising does. Here I see the "danger".

[maximus82]

You are right about books, but a book is only a piece of paper and you must be willing to read it and you have to do some work with your imagination. Also cinema must be willingly be watched, but cinema works on several

approaches; pictures, sound, words, volume, atmosphere and expecially a combination of all these elements. Just like advertising does. Here I see the "danger".

Can you give me an example, with specific films if possible, of how cinema is a public danger?

[barilicious]

I don't believe that the cinema is a public danger, in general, but The Birth of a Nation is the first film that popped in my mind when this thread first began.

[Roll Right]

Can you give me an example, with specific films if possible, of how cinema is a public danger?

Triumph of the Will.