Introduction
The context in which a literary work, song, painting, or movie is created can reveal countless details about its message. It is vital to consider the setting that has generated the response to comprehend its depth. In this paper, three historical eras will be assessed: the Great Depression, the Cold War, and the climate change and inequality discussions prominent in the 21st century.
The Great Depression: The Wizard of Oz
The Great Depression lasted for one decade and ended before 1940, yet it left a lasting impact on American morale. As a result, the cinematographic industry focused on uplifting, musical, colorful, and joyful films that would create a sense of peace and resilience. The 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz” is an example of how cinema can transport audiences into a fantasy world (Fleming, 1939). The musical’s lightheartedness exemplified the desire to transport individuals into a new dimension where problems are forgotten.
The Cold War: Dr. Strangelove
One of the main characteristics of the Cold War was the fear of atomic bombs, as the media often conveyed the message of a potential nuclear attack. Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb” is a satire that satires the exploitation of the topic as well as the theme as a whole (Kubrick, 1964). On the one hand, it provides comedic relief; on the other, it is relevant in its messaging.
The 21st Century: Snowpiercer
The 21st century is marked by two primary topics at the forefront of political and social discussions: climate change and injustice. The 2013 film “Snowpiercer” portrays a future in which humanity is confined to a train because the earth is uninhabitable, and each wagon is designated for a specific class of people (Joon-ho, 2013). Needless to say, it is historically accurate, as it tackles social issues related to classism, economic inequality, and environmental damage.
Conclusion
A film’s historical context can reveal the influence of certain events, phenomena, and realities on art. The previous examples illustrate how the directors have chosen to immortalize the time and processes they have observed. In each instance, the movie is a photograph of the context in which it is made. Hence, to better understand the film, it can be helpful to explore the setting in which it was set.
References
Fleming, V. (1939). The Wizard of Oz. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Joon-ho, B. (2013). Snowpiercer. Moho Film
Kubrick, S. (1964). Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb. Hawk Films.