Study Notes on Political Film Theory

Overview: Good Morning Vietnam is characterized as an oddity among Vietnam war films (Kunz 2002, p.230).
- Focus on personnel behind the front lines rather than soldiers in combat.
- The film is a comedy with poignant political messages.
**Contrasting Perspectives:
- Kunz's Observation:** The juxtaposition of the humorous elements with the underlying tensions in song melodies and screen images illustrates the conflict between official and unofficial narratives of the Vietnam War (Fellers 2002, p.232).
Ideological Mechanisms:
- The film comments on the roles of ideology and propaganda, particularly through the medium of radio.
- Yet, it may also support dominant American ideologies:
- Giroux (1995) argues it presents a “Disney-inspired slapstick version” of the war, criticizing its sexist, racist, and colonialist representations (pp.51-56).
Multiple Readings: Films can provoke diverse interpretations, revealing agendas sometimes opposed to their intended messages.

Background: Loosely based on Joseph Conrad's Hearts of Darkness, it explores themes of colonialism, atrocity, and war crimes, representing America’s only lost war.
Problematic Political Film Description:
- While the film seemingly advocates an anti-war stance, its portrayal is criticized:
- Sison (2006) states the film fetishizes Western invasion fantasies, ignoring the interests and perspectives of the South Vietnamese (p.28).
- Critics note the absence of Vietnamese characters; it mainly narrates an American-centric story.
Hollywood Style and Ideology:
- The film's use of Hollywood techniques and star power contributes to promoting an ideological form consistent with American perspectives (Wayne 2001).
- Classified as ‘First Cinema,’ which typically prioritizes entertainment and profit over critical political messages.

Film Screening Details:
- Title: La Haine
- Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
- Setting: French suburbs (banlieues), often associated with poverty and immigrant populations.
Inspiration and Real Events:
- The film was inspired by true incidents, particularly concerning police custody deaths of minorities. Actors and crew lived in the banlieue during filmmaking, incorporating real-life events and riots into the narrative.
**Cinematic Technique:
- Filming Style:**
- Although shot in color, it is presented in black and white to heighten its emotional impact and social commentary.
Critical Reception:
- La Haine gained critical acclaim, winning Best Director at Cannes Film Festival (1995) and garnering attention from government officials, despite its critique of police violence.

Framework:
- This week focuses on understanding political cinema through ideology, Marxist theory, and various interpretations of political films.
Definitions of Political Films:
- Wayne (2001) asserts all films carry political weight but vary by how politically explicit they are.
- Scott (2000) posits not all films are political but all are ideological.
Definition of Political Film:
- For this study, Political Films are defined as those addressing:
  - Inequality
  - Legitimacy
  - Social hierarchies
  - Dominant ideologies (Wayne 2001, Baudry & Cohen 2004).

Understanding Ideology:
- Ideology encompasses shared beliefs and practices that dominate society, often reflecting the interests of the ruling class.
- Marx posited that dominant ideology works to obscure truths to control perception and maintain class structures.
- Example: The Hays Code in Hollywood reinforced patriarchal ideologies, shaping societal norms surrounding gender roles.
Hollywood's Ideological Impact:
- Scott emphasizes that Hollywood films historically embodied conservative, patriarchal values reflective of broader societal ideologies, often through non-political narratives.

Historical Context:
- Film used for ideological influence began shortly after the inception of cinema, viewed as a means for political messages (Dickinson 2014).
- Propaganda films evolved during the inter-war period, particularly against the rise of fascism and communism.
Notable Examples of Propaganda:
- Triumph of the Will (1935, Riefenstahl) is renowned for promoting Nazi ideology.
- Soviet films were often suppressed due to their political dangers.
Role of Subtlety in Film:
- Films can subtly promote ideologies through narrative techniques, influencing viewers' thought processes without overt propaganda.

Definition and Characteristics:
- Third Cinema represents political cinema defined by its anti-colonial, Marxist politics, and rejection of mainstream capitalist practices.
- Typically employs documentary styles aimed at raising awareness of sociopolitical issues and injustices.
Historical Developments:
- Emerged mainly from Third World countries in the 1960s and early 1970s, focusing on resistance against oppressive regimes and societal issues.
- Noteworthy filmmaker: Melvin Van Peebles, known for creating impactful works that highlight civil rights struggles.

Marx's Analysis of Consciousness:
- Marx and Engels illustrated how societal structures influence consciousness, arguing that ruling classes fabricate a ‘False Consciousness’ that distorts reality for the masses.
Impact on Film:
- Hollywood’s ideologies perpetuate false beliefs about class and social hierarchies, shaping viewers' perceptions and expectations of life.
Althusser's Contributions:
- Althusser emphasized how culture serves as a medium for ideological control, with films acting as instruments of influence on societal beliefs.

First Cinema:
- Represents mainstream Hollywood, characterized by entertainment-focused filmmaking without challenging dominant ideologies.
Second Cinema:
- Art cinema or auteur-driven narratives that offer personal visions often straddling the line between commerciality and artistic expression.
Third Cinema:
- Films classified as Third Cinema convey Marxist and anti-colonialist themes, employing tactical filmmaking techniques to challenge social injustices.