1. How does one construct an identity and what is the film's message about this construction?
Identity is constructed through self-realization; however, is often influenced by stereotypes. A person can find his/her true identity through the mistakes that he/she has and the experiences he/she has had. These cause the person to analyze personal morals and way of living life. A person can construct an identity by learning from the mistakes another person has made. Unfortunately, the influence of society can overcome the identity a person has constructed for himself/herself. The views of other people can cause a person to reanalyze his/her life and change the way a person identifies himself/herself. The stereotypes of society provide a mold for people of a certain race, gender, or class to grow up into. This mold often causes people to identify someone from the second they see that person. When people grow up in this situation they are unable to grow beyond the ideas others have of them.
2. What cultural systems are in place in this film and how do they influence the characters? Think of race, gender, class, power.
The movie takes place in a city in which there are many cultural systems regarding race, gender, class, and power that have great influence on the lives of the characters. All of these come together to allow certain people to flourish in society, while others perish. Each cultural system favors certain people and the more favored by society a person is the more successful he/she is.
Anthony is confused and angry because he is placed in a lower position in society due to his race, class, and lack of power. He feels lost because he is unable to change any of these things and they may serve as his motivation to steal cars.
3. What is the relationship between narrative structure and thematic development?
In the movie each character has his/her own crash and they intertwine to reinforce the movie's messages. These crashes come together both physically and metaphorically. Every character interacts with the other characters and they all suffer from individual crashes. These crashes open the eyes of the characters involved to allow them to see the truth beneath the stereotypes. While watching the movie one can learn all of the lessons and gain the insight that each of the characters in the movie gains to apply to his/her own life.
4. How does the film represent blame and guilt throughout the film? What is the film's message surrounding these topics?
Blame and guilt form an amphipathic bond. This means that blame and guilt are closely related and fuel each other. Those that blame other people for their problems often feel guilty at some point later on. For example, in the movie the Persian man that owns the shop blames the Hispanic worker after his store is vandalized. As a result of this blame, he goes to the home of the Hispanic man ready to shoot him. Instead he shoots the daughter and causes himself to experience immense guilt.
Guilt fuels blame in Crash through the character of Detective Graham Waters. He feels guilty about letting his brother fall into the stereotypes of black people in LA. This lead him to blame society for the stereotypes that have been created.
It is possible that this cycle will also be demonstrated by Officer Tom Hansen. Officer Hansen feels guilty about shooting Peter Waters in the car. It is possible that in response to this event he will blame society for the stereotypes that caused him to assume that Peter Waters would have a gun.
The vicious cycle that is created by blame and guilt is seen through the character of Anthony. Anthony starts the movie by stealing cars from innocent people. He blames society for the stereotype that allows people to predict that he will harm them. After he attempts to carjack Cameron Thayer he begins to feel guilty. After an encounter with the police, Cameron Thayer tells Anthony that he is an embarrassment. Anthony realizes that he is an embarrassment and people like him help to fuel the stereotype of black people. This guilt may cause Anthony to further blame the people around him and society for the poor influence on his life.
Friday, April 1, 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment