The Role Movies Play in Our Society

Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said “Film is a reflection of society, both present, and past.” It’s safe to say that movies have an immense impact on us as a society. They influence what we wear, how we speak and have become a huge part of our pop culture. With all of the media that is out there today, what is it about movies that intrigue us so much? Since movies affect people differently, they can have a personal impact or a mass impact. The personal impact of a film is up to you, but the mass impact can be seen everywhere. Movies are more than just a form of entertainment. The films we view have shaped our society and continue to do so today.

Why do We Watch Movies in the First Place?

Movies have always been a means of entertainment. We watch films for many reasons, but the main reason we watch them is escapism. Sherak says “Movies are about sitting in a theatre, watching something- watching a story unfold with people I don’t know-…I don’t have to worry about what is going on outside. I lose myself in what I’m watching.” Watching movies allows us to step outside of our everyday lives and watch a story unravel before our eyes. Movies also give us the chance to express our emotions in ways that may not be considered appropriate in other situations. We laugh at comedies, cry at dramas, and cheer during action films. These are emotions that if expressed in a normal situation would seem odd, but during a movie, they’re completely appropriate. 

The Influence of Modern Technology on Movies 

It’s safe to say that social media has become a new form of mass communication. Due to this shift from traditional media such as newspapers, to the digital age, the film industry has had to change its approach to marketing movies. Sherak says “In today’s world if a movie is going to reach an audience- they have to realize that their audience, particularly younger people, spend up to 18 hrs a day connected to the internet. This means that comments about the movie get onto sites straight away.” He goes on to say that internet posts about movies go up immediately and stay there permanently. This means that a movie’s chances at success can be destroyed before it even gets a chance to try. Professionals in the film industry cannot ignore to influence of the digital age on our society if they want to successfully market their movies.   

How do the Films We Watch Affect our Behavior

As I stated earlier, movies can affect people on a personal or mass scale. Let’s look at a few movies and the effect they had on society. 

Blackfish(2013)

This 2013 film is a documentary about the controversial captivity of killer whales. After the film’s release, the company Sea World ended its orca breeding program and changed the way the animals performed for the public. 

Bambi(1942)

This touching Disney film follows a young deer, forced to grow up in the forest after the death of his mother. Shortly after the film was released, there was a serious shortage of deer hunting in the U.S. 

Super Size Me(2004)

This film is about Morgan Spurlock, a man who ate nothing but McDonald’s food for a month. A few months after the release of the film, the company McDonald’s removed its “super-size” option from its menu. 

After looking at these examples, it’s clear movies are more than just a form of entertainment. They can have a massive impact in a variety of ways. We watch films for escapism, but they can also change our outlook on the world. With the way that technology is advancing, the film industry will have to adapt if they want movies to continue to have an influence. So, whatever the reason you watch movies, never forget the impact they have on everyone in the world.

Happy Viewing Filmsters! 

Sources

IMDB 

The Role of Film in Society-https://thoughteconomics.com/the-role-of-film-in-society/

How Do Movies Affect Society?- https://www.ourmovielife.com/2017/01/15/how-do-movies-affect-society/

Film and Society: How Films Impact Society and Popular Culture-https://platt.edu/blog/film-society-films-impact-society-popular-culture/