Theme of Focus

Past Themes

Last year I focused on the themes of Invention and Fantasy, Politics and the Social Order, and Looking Outward. Ultimately the goal of all my films was to entertain the audience to some degree. In exploring these themes I found that I am most drawn to relationships between the characters of a story. I like watching them transform, change their perspectives, change the perspectives of others, and much more. However, I find it truly interesting to watch the characters change the perspective of the audience. To see the audience be transformed by a piece is the most satisfying conclusion to any work of art. I find that a story that has elements that require introspection are the greatest gift. However, that's not to say there is not a need for pure entertainment. I find a need to balance the themes and bring new topics to be discussed. At it's most basic, themes are just a broad topic of discussion. From these themes I've discussed and the insights I've gained, I find that Politics and the Social Order is the theme I will choose.

Politics and the Social Order in My Work

My film Common Betrayal was a film about two hitmen where one was ordered to kill the other. It turns out that it was all a ruse and their boss was simply trying to get rid of both of them. The ideas that this film discusses are the ideas of trust, loyalty, and hierarchy. The boss was the one in charge. It is because of this reason that Mike carried out the orders to kill Tim. Here the audience can ask the question ''What would I do in Mike's position?''. If the audience chooses to ask this than there is the potential for reflection into one's own life. The audience can question their own loyalty or maybe think about a time they did in fact betray a friend. Obviously most people are never going to be in a stand off with their friend but the heightened stakes add to the entertainment quality of the film. The audience is much more in gauged when the stakes are noteworthy. The hierarchy is present in the gang and this is where the connection is between Common Betrayal and Politics and the Social Order.

Politics and the Social Order in Three Outlaw Samurai

I enjoy films that act as a warning for a society that doesn't speak out or can't speak out. One film I recently watched was called Three Outlaw Samurai. In the film the peasants are being heavily taxed by a greedy governor. They create a petition to lower taxes which is to be given to the governor. However, the three peasants who wrote the petition and risked their lives for the cause are killed. Once they are dead none of the other peasants have the guts to follow through, leaving the death of many peasants in vain. The film has much more going on, but this particular point acts as a serious warning to those who fear taking action. It stresses the significance of stepping forward. If just a single peasant would have followed through than the deaths of those before would have been for a reason.

Why I Chose Politics and the Social Order

I have always enjoyed work that questions society. I find it healthy to have a society that allows for reflection and questioning of the way things are run. My reason for choosing Politics and the Social Order as my theme to focus on is simple. My favorite films all involve a question aimed towards society. Whether the focus be on a rebellion against the cruelty of the government, or a single man doing what he sees needs to be done. It just happens to be the cinema that I enjoy the most. As soon as you involve a society you involve people and their relationships with each other. It is the relationships between people and the people themselves which draw a connection to the audience. In my films this year I may involve other themes such as Looking Inward or Looking Outward or Invention and Fantasy, however, all of my films will still include a connection to Politics and the Social Order.