Marxism and Pluralism: Within a Contemporary Film

Overall : What is Marxism?

Marx regarded people as both the producers and the products of society. Given the priority Marx assigns to economic factors, an end to alienation involves a radical change in the economic infrastructure. The relationship between classes is one of antagonism and conflict. Throughout history, opposing classes have stood in " constant opposition to one another , carried on an uninterrupted , now hidden , now open fight that each time ended in a revolutionary reconstruction of society at large. "

Marxists sees society split into two classes: the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat. The ruling class ( Bourgeoisie ) owes its dominance and power to its ownership and control of the means of production. The subject class ( proletariat) are the lower class or the two as they are being exploited from the lack of ownership and therefore lack of control of the means of production. The classes stand opposed as exploiter and exploited, oppressor and oppressed.

xX Marxism and the Media Xx

Media producers produce media texts that contribute to maintain this so called satus quo in society between the division of social classes. Texts are primarily there to generate mass audiences because of the profit motive , that consequently results to the dumbing down of their output. Althusser ( Marxist) distinguishes between 2 apparatuses ; the ideological state apparatus and the repressive state apparatus.

The repressive state apparatuses ( RSAs) maintain the rule of the bourgeoisie by force or the threat of it. This includes the police, courts and army. This can result with these organisations to use physical force to repress the working class ( proletariat)

The ideological state apparatuses ( ISAs) maintain the rule of the bourgeoisie by controlling peoples ideas, values and beliefs. This includes religion, mass media and the educational system.

This therefore makes the audience believe that these ideologies are correct. Another Marxist (Gramsci) came up with the concept hegemony - that is the dominance of these ideologies of the ruling class, along with their beliefs and values. By this being evident in the media , the ruling class retain hegemonic control.

.x Pluralism In The Media x.

Compared to the Marxist perspective, pluralism can be seen as the complete opposite. Pluralists identifies that societies different groups are competing groups none of them more dominant than the other. Compared to the Marxists theory that audiences are passive, taken in by the ideologies being drip feed to them by the media, pluralists see the audience in a position to even manipulate the media that determines the output of texts. They also reject the concept of a mass culture unlike the Marxists. In society there is now high culture that reaches wide audiences , meaning that as an individual we have the freedom to make choices about what we consume and don't. The media is not portrayed to be all negative as it acts in the public interest by keeping them to grips with institutions such as politicians, legal system and the church. By the audience being in control over would is produced and consumed , being an active part within the media, it is less likely to be legitimising class inequality as Marxists would say as the media now operates in the audiences interests.

This leads onto the media as a fourth estate. The first three estates that are a combination of the church , government and legal system all have power within society. The media being the forth has the role to inform the public about the other three. This is evident with the Public Service Broadcast as its main role is to inform the public,

however this has been questioned as there are debates concerning whether this should be the case as the Hutton report sparked some controversy about the exposure of Dr David Kelly and whether or not this lead to his death. Therefore this shows the limitations if this and the relationship between the government and the media and just how much exposure should they be allowed to have.

.x Analysis of The Pursuit Of Happiness x.

The Pursuit of Happiness is a 2006 American biographical drama film, directed by Gabriele Muccino and based on the true story of Chris Gardner. The film stars Will Smith as Gardner, an on-and-off-homeless salesman-turned stockbroker.

The films overall plot is about a working class black American man and his struggle to obtain a job within a competitive society. Forced to live out in the streets with his son, Gardner becomes desperate to find a steady job; he takes on a job as a stockbroker, but before he can receive pay, he needs to go through 6 months of training. Along the way he loses his wife but through his commitment to his son he tries desperately to restore any normality to their lives with his big dream of becoming successful is what also keeps his determination in tact. Marxism is present within the film, as it portrays the capitalist state as a system of inequality as there are great contrasts between the working class struggle ( Proletariat) compared to the power and success fullness of white middle class men ( Bourgeoisie) showing that that inequalities and power only benefits the ruling class. Touching on what Marx says himself, the working class are therefore the reserve army of labour for the upper classes as Will Smith presents this as he is constantly

Pluralism is shown within the film as its popularity indicates that this particular type of storyline is popular amongst the audience. Firstly the success of the film could have something to do with the fact that it can be seen as a cultural break through , something that many black Americans would want to see. This is because the film is a way of raising awareness of this inequality that may still be present in society today and by the main protagonist ( Will Smith) going through his troubling times , in the end he breaks the racial and class barrier as he gets the job as a stockbroker.

Not only this but the popularity and the demands of this type of film to be made could come from the current economic situation , as people are finding it increasingly hard to find a job resulting in many people homeless , that faults the system in a convert way highlighting the flaws within it. Due to the difference in the way some live their lives ( upper class) compared to the working classes situation making society seem more polarised and therefore something that an audience wants to see within a film. Therefore in relation to the pluralist theory, it places the audience in a position to manipulate the media that consequently determines the overall outcome by the media institutions.

Representations

How represention is constructed in ( Jess) in Bend It Like Beckham and (Jodies Fosters) flight plan

Post feminism –Post- feminism has developed from the initial feminist movement in the late 19th and early 20th century. Since then from the equal opportunities legislation has led to role reversals within the media. Things such as Mulvey s “male gaze” showing women being primarily for the male audience as “eye candy” has been reversed as men are increasingly being shown for women’s pleasures. Both the films I have chosen can be called post- feminist , however it can be argued that they have not quite made it as there are elements of patriarchy.

Flight plan is seen as a post feminist film as it is portrayed through the protagonist Jodie Foster. She is represented being a strong dominant woman, able to stand without her husband. This particular role reversal is shown through her costume as she wears conventionally male clothes such as shirts, round neck jumpers and in trousers. The props as well such as her briefcase connotes her being a business minded person that is not stereotypically a woman’s trait. Her occupation is an engineer for planes. This is usually a male dominated profession.

Due to the historical matter that until the Equal pay act in the 70s this has changed making it easier for women to earn as much as men. Her mother role shows the social increase of single mothers, reinforcing the feminist view that women are capable of being on their own. However this also shows her nurturing / emotional side that is stereotypically a woman’s thing.

Her other qualities such as her being the hero of the film as she finds her daughter, emphasises the “new woman” and to contrast with the male roles e.g. security man she is seen to be more physically and mentally strong. Another part within the film that there are role reversals is that alongside the man, a woman is a villain that challenges the norms of conventional films.



Similarly, Bend it like Beckham shows elements of post- feminism as the protagonist ( Jess) challenges not only gender stereotypes but cultural ones as well. Jess being an Asian girl has the obsession with football, wanting to become one as her career despite her parents’ wishes for her to become a doctor. Socially football is a male dominated profession as the media fails to show woman’s football on T.V. The role reversal within the text comes from the women’s football being shown throughout the film instead of typically men’s. Through the process of jess becoming a footballer , women are represented being far more talented and driven when it comes to football. This is evident when Jess and Jules join in with boys playing football but win the game against them. Therefore women are shown to be more powerful in that sense compared to men.


However their football coach “Joe” is the one in control over what they do, that consequently gives a sense of patriarchy within the film. At the end of the film it shows Beckham briefly in the airport. Because the girls look up to him it connotes the idea that they have not achieved the status of Beckham, showing males dominance and control over the industry. Economically woman footballers are paid considerably less than men. The BBC have reported that England women's footballers have criticised the Football Association after getting just £40 a day for the five weeks at the World Cup in China compared to the men’s football club ( Chelsea) earning a reportedly 1.784 million each.

Immigration BBC News

BBC News

UK immigrant amnesty 'worth £3bn'



It would cost the UK £4.7bn to deport all illegal immigrants
Granting amnesty to long-term illegal immigrants in the UK, could add up to £3bn to the economy, a report has said.
The London School of Economics report said the move would not lead to a rise in migration but would raise spending on welfare services and housing.
About 618,000 people are illegally in the UK, of which 442,000 are in London.
London Mayor Boris Johnson commissioned the study and said it proved immigrants were "far from a financial burden" and had highlighted "long-overdue facts".
This new report has introduced some long overdue facts, hard evidence and academic rigour into a debate which has far too often been dominated by myth, anecdote and hearsay
Boris Johnson
The study found that if a five-year residency plan was introduced 67% of illegal immigrants would be eligible to live in the UK.
Mr Johnson said: "This new report has introduced some long-overdue facts, hard evidence and academic rigour into a debate which has far too often been dominated by myth, anecdote and hearsay.
"So, far from a financial burden, as some suggest, this new research has found an amnesty could be worth up to £3bn a year to the country's economy.
"The study also demolishes the argument that an amnesty would inevitably lead to increased migration to the UK and identifies effective border controls as the vital factor in controlling and deterring illegal immigration."
Mayoral policy director Anthony Browne says the amnesty's cost could be contained
London Assembly chairman Darren Johnson welcomed the report's publication.
He said: "This report lends further economic weight to the argument in favour of regularising the status of hundreds of thousands of Londoners who are already making a significant contribution to the capital's wealth."
Previously, Immigration Minister Phil Woolas had said the mayor's call for amnesty was "naive" and would lead to more trafficking of people.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "The policy on an amnesty for illegal immigrants remains unchanged and is very clear - there will be no amnesty, those here illegally should go home.
"We have a proud tradition of offering sanctuary to those who truly need our help, but to grant an amnesty would create a significant pull factor to the UK and would undermine the asylum system as a whole."
According to the National Audit Office, the deportation of all illegal immigrants would cost the UK £4.7bn.
Since 1998, 111,265 illegal entrants have been deported, at the cost to the UK of £11,000 per person.









Make immigrants legal - Cardinal

Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said migrants can be 'easily exploited'
Long-term immigrants should be given British citizenship, according to the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor spoke out after Mayor of London Boris Johnson mooted an amnesty for immigrants.
The cardinal told BBC Radio 4's Sunday programme many newcomers to the country were "vulnerable" and needed support.
However, Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch UK, said talk of an amnesty was "frankly irresponsible".
"The experience of other countries like Italy and Spain is that amnesties simply produce yet more applicants every time," he said.
Migrationwatch estimates an amnesty would cost the taxpayer at least £500 million in extra benefit payments but supporters of such a move say it would boost the economy.
But Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said there was a responsibility for the country to welcome immigrants to "appreciate the gifts that they bring and also make sure that in some way they are supported".
He continued: "A lot of the people who come are quite vulnerable and can easily be threatened and exploited.
"But I think also there is a point here about some migrants who come here and are here for years and they are undocumented.
"After a certain time a way should be given for them to receive citizenship here and so get the benefits of that."
Last week, Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced advisers were studying the potential benefits of an amnesty for the UK's estimated 700,000 illegal immigrants.
He said allowing long-term illegal immigrants to earn the right to stay in Britain would see "hugely increased" tax revenues, setting him against Conservative leader David Cameron.
However, immigration minister Phil Woolas has said any amnesty could lead to more people being exploited by traffickers.
He has previously suggested the UK population could be limited to 70 million.

Catherine Tate

Catherine Tate show

The Catherine Tate Show is an award-winning British television sketch comedy written by Catherine Tate who stars in all of the show's sketches, which feature a wide range of characters.

Various Characters featured in the Show:

Representations:

Lauren Cooper- She is represented to be a typical argumentative teenager that repeats the phrase " Am i bothered". This is a stereotype of teenagers especially in the present situation with teenagers attitudes against school and communities as a whole. Whether or not this is a fair representation of teenagers is dependant on whom answers this as teenagers would argue against this stigmatised perception of them , whereas adults may agree with what the show portrays.

Joannie 'Nan' Taylor- Represents the older age group , however not stereotypically as her constant use of swear words " What a fucking liberty" and general hatred towards other people leaves this character with an unusual perceptive of old people. Not only this but she is also represented being homophobic and racist at times. This could be a fair representation of old people as her traditional ideologies and actions are those associated with the older English people. However this representation is not completely accurate because the show is a comedy therefore it plays on stereotypes making them worse than it actually is to get response from the audience.

The Aga Saga Woman- She represents an upper middle class mother who is constantly fretted about apparent "dangers" that might harm her children because it may involve mixing with the working class. (For example the tottenham clip)This representation stereotypes upper class Caucasian mothers that isn't a completely accurate , however certain parts to do with the class differences may have some truth behind it.

Derek Faye- He is represented to be a gay man but is in denial about his sexuality. And becomes very offended by people assuming he is gay. " How very dare you". This could be accurate with people still showing the signs of being gay but not comfortable with everyone knowing, however because society is more acceptable of it this isn't a very fair representation.

Janice and Ray- They are represented to be a typical traditional white couple that is constantly commenting about the increase of multi-culturalism in their British circle. Particularly when they have gone to a restaurant that food is from a different country they comment by saying " Those dirty bastards". This could be a fair representation considering people who live in a white area and their reactions to different cultures, whereas for the minority that live in a different surrounding this isnt completely true.

Narrative:

The narrative is non- linear with different parts of the sketch comedy show shown at various times. The techniques of identification within the text comes from the audience being able to identify with some characters from the show whether it being their personality trates or the circumstances and situations that some characters are faced with. For example a teenager may identify themselves with Lauren Cooper from her attitude and her appearance.

Some of the themes that comes from the show are

class

ethnicity

rebellion

denial

Media Institutions :

The institutional source of the text is BBC 2.It is aimed at a wide range of subject matter and interests, and because of it being a public service broadcast it has to cater for the audiences needs. The text has been influenced by the institution as there are certain regulations that have to be followed also the type of audience that the BBC has will determine the content of the show as it isnt a commercial institution that has produced it.

Media Audiences:

To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience?

As the text has a number of different sketches each one individually address different audiences. Such as the Lauran Cooper sketch address mainly teenagers also the Aga Saga women middle class white mothers. Therefore the target audience of the text are adults/ young adults men or female working class. But mainly women as the text on a whole has more than men.
The text is aired at 9pm this results from the water shed as some scenes are not suitable for younger children.

The size of the audience weekly is 4.00 to 4.92 million making it one of the most successful comedy shows in Britain today. And the show has had considerably amount of success in the USA as well.

As an audience member I evaluate and read the text as a comedy therefore not taking all the racist and stereotypes too seriously. This is influenced by my age because some adults may take offense to some values within the text.


How do you, as an audience member, read and evaluate the text? To what extent is your reading and evaluation influenced by your age, gender, background etc?

Reviews :

Catherine Tate, one of Britain's hottest comedy talents is back with a U.S. premiere season of her award-winning sketch show. Winner of a Banff Rockie award and nominated for an International Emmy®, The Catherine Tate Show has become a huge hit in the UK, with catchphrases, "Am I bovvered?" and "How very dare you?!", influencing popular culture and every day speech in Britain. The 'Queen of Catchphrase' morphs through ages, sexes, accents and wigs to introduce a collection of toe-curling new characters in Season Three. Parodied to the extreme, the new personalities include Laura Powers – a bungled spy, called in to assist the U.S. Government in a spoof of 24; Ma Willow – the overbearing owner of a rooming house in the '50s who appears in a parody of Life on Mars; Helen 'I can do that' Marsh – who's eager to please, but hopeless at everything; and Kathleen Leary – a chain smoking, hard faced Northern Irish woman who's fiercely proud of her gay son. They join old favorites Lauren - the "Am I bovvered?" teenage nightmare who would rather be right than happy; Cockney Nan - the opinionated, hard-to-please grandmother who's a mine of misinformation; and Derek Faye - who gets furious if anyone suggests he's gay and coined the phrases "Who, dear? Me, dear? Gay, dear? No, dear" and "How very dare you?!" As well as program awards, Catherine Tate has won numerous awards for her own performance including a British Comedy Award for Best Comedy Newcomer and two Royal Television Society awards for Best Network Newcomer and Best Comedy Performance. She is currently filming Season Four of Doctor Who in which she appears as the doctor's newest companion, Donna Noble.

Catherine Tate 'bovvered' by Bard

I never thought for a moment that children would pick up on it - but I didn't want her to be a bad child
Catherine Tate on Lauren the teenager
Doctor Who assistant Catherine Tate has gone back in time again to discuss her love of Shakespeare.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) - where she spent a year before her comedy career - invited her to speak to a younger audience at the Hay Festival.
But Tate admitted at the Powys literary festival that she struggled to enjoy the Bard's comedies at times.
"It's got to strike a chord with us. We can't write Shakespeare off but wearing bells on knees isn't going to work."
But she said she had impersonated Sir Ian McKellen in the way he delivered a Shakespearean scene on stage, which helped her finally pass her drama school audition at 21 after a few attempts.
Tate was speaking as part of the RSC's Shakespeare and Me series, as Doctor Who star David Tennant is preparing to play the lead in Hamlet for the company from next month.
About her TV sketch show characters, Tate said she doubted she would bring back teenager Lauren, who was supposedly killed off in a Christmas special - "although they still haven't found a body."
She said Lauren, with the "Am I bovvered?" catchphrase, only came about because she liked to try out and improvise her characters in front of a live audience first - and she got a reaction.