This is a film about American soldiers stationed in combat zone in Afghanistan. This is the 2nd platoon of a battle group that is deployed in the Korengal Valley of Northeast of Afghanistan in the Nuristan area. The Korengal valley was at that time regarded as the deadliest place on Earth (Restrepo). This deployment was meant to clear the Taliban insurgence that is a gigantic menace to the civilians of this area.
The movie depicts the Korengal valley very desolate, having sparse vegetation, on the rock terrain. The Taliban insurgence cannot be seen since they mingle with the civilians. The Americans soldiers are ambushed 20 years old PFC Restrepo and PFC Vimoto were killed (Hetherington & Junger, 2010).
The leader of the Battle Company, Capt. Dan Kearney, focuses on establishing the outpost at a key point on Talibans battle routes (Hetherington & Junger, 2010). The battle company digs in to build fortifications and surprisingly they catch the enemy off-guard. They manage to overpower the insurgence and named the outpost after their first dead colleague Restrepo. Kearney and local elders hold weekly meetings.
The elders looked emaciated and aged a sign of acute poverty in the region. An old man complains about the loss of his cow. He is to be compensated with rice, beans and sugar but he completely refused insisting that he wants cash (Hetherington & Junger, 2010).
As the film comes to an end, the hostile mission Operation Rock Avalanche is shown. Some of its tragic outcomes which include dead civilians and soldiers as well as the emotional distress that the soldiers experienced after the war are clearly illustrated (Hetherington & Junger, 2010).
Relation to International Relations
There is an international threat to international security. The Taliban insurgence is attacking the American forces. The civilians in the hostile area are suffering from security threats of insurgence. Terrorism is rampant in the Korengal Valley of Northeast Afghanistan. Taliban terrorists are a threat to the well being of the civilians.
Many civilians were killed during the 15 months operation. This brings in mind the issue of human rights. The rights of the civilians were violated by engaging them in a hostile battle resulting to deaths. It is evident that there is international co-operation between the American and the Afghan government.
American troops risked their lives to free the populations of Afghans from the grip of the hostile Taliban insurgence. The American forces are very powerful since they carried out an operation that was very difficult (Goldstein & Jon, 2005).
According to Goldstein & Jon, 2005 engaging the internationally feared Taliban is a show of American power. It is not only the force of the troops that is depicted but also the financial capabilities of the United States. Being able to keep a troop in a battle field that requires sophisticated operation is quite expensive. However, the United States can independently sustain a troop as long as they want due to their financial power.
This movie reveals the super power nature of the United States. They choose on which operations to carry out without necessarily having the approval of the United Nation Security Council which is the largest organ of the United Nations.
There is need to assist the civilians of the Korengal Valley to overcome their desolate living. There is a clear illustration of the rampant poverty faced by Afghans. The elders looked emaciated aged and toothless. Therefore, it raises questions on how these people can be assisted to live better lives, engage in development as well as educating their children (Goldstein & Jon, 2005).
Conclusion
The essay has clearly examined the movie Restrepo as well as establishes association with international relation.
References
Goldstein, S., & Jon, C. (2005). International Relations. London: Longman Publishers.
Hetherington, T. & Junger, S. (Producers). (2010). Restrepo [DVD]. UK: National Geographic Entertainment Dogwoof Pictures.
The movie by the name Run Granny Run was produced by Marlo Poras in the year 2009. Run Granny Runs movie centers around a 94-year-old granny born by the name Doris Haddock in 1910 but later changed her middle name to Granny D through a court redress. Granny D was a political activist who emerged as the oldest candidate to contest for the U.S. Senate seat at the age of 94 years. She contested unsuccessfully for the New Hampshire U.S. Senate seat on a democratic ticket against a Republican Judd Gregg in the year 2004. She managed to drive her campaigns; despite the hurdles, she encountered like repressive government agencies a good example being the police.
In this movie, Granny D emerges as a strong lady who could not be deterred by her age to drive her message to the American population. Granny D could not sit back as a patriotic citizen to see the United States politics influenced by money during election campaigns instead of being based on ideologies and transparency where people should be allowed to elect a candidate of their choice without any influence. Granny D believed in the government of the people, by the people, and for the people (Poras, Run Granny run ). The Granny emerges as a pillar of hope and strength in this video where other citizens should learn from her determination and courage.
Granny D saw her advocacy for campaign finance reform as a success because she achieved it by creating awareness to the entire United States population where she got mass support. Her campaign also proved that money is not all that is needed to drive a message across the people, but its the strategy taken and determination that matters.
Works Cited
Poras, Marlo. Run Granny Run. Hulu Movies, 1999. Web.
The title of the film that I chose to watch is Primary Colors . It was written and directed by Mike Nichols and it was released during a turning point in our political history, March 20, 1998. The year when the American ideals and Kennedy optimism had once again taken over our country as Bill Clinton led the country out of recession and life began to boom once again.
The theme of the movie
The movie takes place during the Democratic Primary race for president. It mirrors the characters of then-president Bill Clinton (Gov. Stanton) and his wife, now Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (Susan Stanton), and their quest for the presidency in 1992. The movie borrowed some actual events and scandals from the Clinton campaign, though in a fictionalized manner. It discusses the political climate of that time, the problems the candidates were forced to address (which are still the same problems our politics faces today), and how politics is always a game of manipulation and deceit.
The manipulation, deceit, political posturing, and personal attacks that the candidates go through is so life-altering that it takes away the innocence and True Believer attitude of Henry, Burton, the campaign manager of Gov. Stanton. The movie shows us the true drama behind each political campaign and how lives are directly and indirectly affected by the quest for the White House.
Events shown in the movie related to the U.S. government and how it functions
Political game on the congressional and senate levels
One of the events show in the film that struck me as a realistic discussion of how the game of politics is played on the congressional and senate levels. I wondered how many in the government service were like Henry Burton, who was so jaded by the political game on the congressional, senate, and executive levels that he would push hard for his programs, knowing very well that it would end up in the dustbin either by lost votes or a presidential veto, just so he and the others who supported the program could celebrate a moral victory in the end. Forcing a veto does not help anybody except the politician who supported the bill and will surely use it as a future campaign platform for himself. There must be many like him in the offices of these senators and congressmen, the believers who keep trying to reach that political nirvana that we all know will never happen.
Gov. Stantons speech on the governments reality
I also particularly liked the speech that Gov. Stanton gave during the Democratic primary debate. In response to his opponents question of what it was that he did not like since he seemed to like everything, his response was truly a well thought out and written piece of reality in a government where all the political players seem t always be fighting for the spotlight and their five minutes of fame. He said something to the effect of political posturing, or preventing solutions from becoming a reality just because you were not the one who thought of it was what he disliked the most. And that is a reality in our current political system. We cannot even get the yearly budget passed because of constant filibustering between the Democrats and the Republicans.
Gov. Stanton on healthcare issues
And lastly, we have the healthcare and insurance problems of the country. Gov. Stanton voiced out his frustration about how healthcare should be affordable to everyone and yet everyone could not afford it. It frustrated him so that the government seemed to value the profits made by the insurance companies instead which got funneled into private accounts.
All the situations that were discussed and portrayed in the movie were realistic, but, being a parody of actual events and people, tended to be a bit on the exaggerated side, perhaps that was the producers way of driving home a point to the viewers.
The point of view of the movie about government
The movie, although it was not mentioned, was set in a fictional version of 1992. When the government was suffering under the Republican hand, having come from Reagan-economics and then the George Bush War in Kuwait. The makers of the film portrayed America as needing a savior. Somebody who had a feeling for and desire to help the country without thought of political backlash.
A Kennedy-esque type of man who could bring hope back to the downtrodden Americans. According to the film, we had a government that was more concerned with protecting big business interests than anything else. The belief that the government was ripe and in dire need of a change ineffective leadership, even if that leader is a somewhat flawed leader on the personal side, was truly evident as the main sentiment or point of view of the film.
Justification of the political views in the film
The political points depicted in the film were perhaps hot fodder of the time back in 1992. Which made most of the films content highly controversial. If there is a point I agree with in terms of political views portrayed in the film, it would have to be how politicians love to be the devils advocate of their causes.
They are the only people I know of who can support a cause, and be against the same cause at the same time. Why not? According to the film, and I strongly agree with this political view, American pop culture and the media insist on portraying them that way. the film depicts politicians as their makers and breakers, depending upon what political sentiment is popular among the voters at the time because for politicians that is what politics is all about. Staying in power by deceiving people into believing that they support this and that. Its just a game to them, but it is a living reality for us.
From Platos allegory of the cave to 21st-century movies, the concept of reality has continued to intrigue people. The world of The Matrix is one of the examples of the precarity of that, which may be called the real world as perceived by the beholder. Tying together the notions of the film with the philosophical issues presented by Rene Descartes permits further analyzing what people understand by existence.
The Matrix and the Philosophy of Rene Descartes
Distinguishing dreams from life-like circumstances and separating the simulation from the authentic is the core intention of both Descartess Meditations on First Philosophy and the 1999 action movie. Descartes raises the conception of mind without physique and vice versa, which is seen in The Matrix when the consciousness operates in virtual reality without affecting the actual body. Furthermore, Descartes raises the question of how could people identify an object, which is not by touch or perception, but through Gods help that grants understanding, which parallels with the unplugging from the matrix (Perry et al. 154). Thus, the intertwinement of these ideas comes together to stimulate further thought on the impact of human perception on existence.
Conclusion
Avoiding subjectivization of the observable object may be a task that is difficult to achieve, influencing our reality to differ from its actual existence. Questioning what we believe to be true through the application of non-variable criteria becomes an essential aspect of searching for the truth. Therefore, skepticism and critical thinking may be outlined as the key ideas that are propagated by both, Descartes and The Matrix.
Work Cited
Perry, John, et al. Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings. Oxford University Press, 2015.
There are several philosophers, but each approached the field different. Generally, philosophical problems were addressed through theories by philosophical scholars.
There are different scholars, for instance, David Hume and Kant. These scholars developed different theories to addressed different philosophical dilemmas, for example, moral dilemma in the movie has different perspectives from both Kant and David Hume. There are codes of conduct that are expected of people in the society to ensure peaceful coexistence and minimization of conflicts.
In a society, people tend to have different perspectives on moral behaviours leading to a dilemma. Similarly, this arose between Kant and David Hume in analyzing the moral dilemma in the movie boomerang. Moral dilemma arising from the movie is viewed differently by different philosophers among them David Hume and Kant. This paper highlights the different perspectives to the moral dilemma in the movie by David Hume and Kant.
Boomerang directed by Elia Kazan in 1947 is about a murder of a priest, Lambert that occurred in real life. The movie reveals that the murderer of the minister wore a dark coat and light hat, but after investigation the murderer was not certain. The murder leads to criticism of the government because even after intense investigation, the government is not able to find the murderer.
Moreover, the case had seven witnesses who witnessed the murder but the government could not still identify the killer of the minister. Attorney Henry Harvey later suggested that FBI should be brought into the case to assist in investigation after convincing Chief of Police not to resign from his position due to pressure (McCarthy 67).
Later, an ex-serviceman, Waldron matches the description of the murderer and is held by the police. His gun also matches the gun that shot the minister. He is forced to confess and sign and later denies before the attorney and judges that he was forced to confess.
Waldron had left town after breaking with a waitress and it was during that time that the minister was shot. After consideration of the witnesses evidence, and defense by Waldron, the attorney declares him innocent as charged, but several government officials especially in the judiciary opposes his decision (McCarthy 96).
There are different theories developed by Kant and David Hume and they have different perspectives in analyzing the movie Boomerang philosophically. Moral dilemma analysis of the movie Boomerang wholly revolves around murder of a minister, Lambert, which is unsolved because the killer has not been brought to justice.
In analyzing the moral dilemma in the movie, Boomerang, theory developed by David Hume, utilitarianism and Kantian ethics conflict in perspective. Philosophical, people constantly asks for the right decision while making choices. According to utilitarianism, means justify the ends; results are determined by actions, but not motives or intentions (McCarthy 103).
In the movie, Boomerang after declaring Waldron innocent, the attorney is faced with opposition from different people especially his party members. According to the attorney, the accused is innocent with regards to his defense and witnesses reports and statements. It appeared as if he was being implicated in the case. However, judge in the attorneys chamber reminds him that he hope his decision is not political despite being groomed for the governors position (McCarthy 132).
However, according to Harris who grooms him for the position, conviction of Waldron is essential for their party win, but Henry, the attorney insists on his ruling. Furthermore, Harris reminds him that he might end up loosing the election hence governorship position. Harris is mainly concerned with his business interest in selling a land to the government, which he suspects might not be purchased by the new government in case they loose the election.
Henry tries to make a call to report Harris, but he draws a gun and informs him of his wifes transaction on the same land. Later, Henry appeals on his decision and reverses his judgment on Waldron because he considered impact of the new government in case they lost the election and considered convicting Waldron to enable them win the elections (McCarthy 137).
According to utilitarianism theory, the means that have been used to win the election and form the next government is immoral. The attorney reverses his decision after declaring Waldron innocent so that his party can win election and protect interests of both his wife and party members.
It is good to succeed in undertakings, but the means used by the attorney to ensure his party wins the election is immoral because despite Waldrons innocence, he reverses his decision. Moreover, the waitress tries to implicate Waldron so that he can be convicted despite weak evidence (McCarthy 142).
On the other hand, Kantian ethics argues that end result does not rely or depends on the means, that is, outcome of an action is not important in determination of the end result whether it was just or not, but the most important aspect is the result obtained. Kantian ethics is mainly concerned with the result, but not how the results were achieved.
The most important aspect according to this theory is results and not actions that necessitated achievements of the respective results. According to Kant, motive was the most important aspect in judging an actions morality (McCarthy 151).
In the movie, Boomerang, it highlights about unsolved murder of a minister, Lambert. There are seven witnesses who try to implicate the accused unsuccessfully. However, since the attorney is being groomed for the governorship position, he is forced to change his decision and consider his wifes interests and party members.
His party fear rule by new government due to their selfish interests and gains. The attorney reverses his decision and considers formation of government by opponents, and his party wins the election. According to the Kantian ethics, end does not rely on the means.
Though the attorney uses immoral means to ensure his party wins the elections, according to Kantian ethics, it is moral because the ultimate goal, winning the election has been achieved. Moreover, the waitress tries to implicate Waldron to ensure that he is convicted because he left her. Though it is immoral, but according to Kantian ethics it is moral because the ultimate goal, conviction have been achieved (McCarthy 165).
Utilitarianism theory and Kantian ethics tend to oppose each other conceptually. Generally, these theories by David Hume and Kant contradict in analysis of the moral dilemma in the movie, Boomerang. According to analysis by Kantian ethics, morality of an action is determined by the motives of the respective action.
On the other hand, utilitarianism theory developed by David Hume disregards actions motives in determining its morality. Basically, according to the Kantian ethics, a moral action is one that is compelled by an obligation while utilitarianism considers action that benefit majority as moral (McCarthy 180).
Conclusion
Utilitarianism theory and Kantian ethics have different perspectives on similar moral dilemmas due to differentials in analysis concept. Though these theories are conflicting in analysis of moral dilemmas due to differentials in arguments, both are important in analysis of different moral dilemmas because either theories may effectively analyze a moral dilemma depending on its nature.
Kantian ethics and utilitarianism appear as opposite, but both seek virtuous life in the long run despite the conflict in concept. Utilitarianism may be the most appropriate theory for one situation, but not to all; while Kantian ethics may be best suited for another where utilitarianism is not effectively applicable.
Works Cited
McCarthy, Fabrice. The Worlds of Hume and Kant. Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1967. Print.
In the movie Shaun of the Dead, there is a conflict between David and Shaun about Barbara, Barbara who has already been dead. David assumes that Barbara is no longer Shauns mother after a zombie bit her (Shaun of the Dead). Whereas, Shaun insists on Barbaras still being his mother. According to the argument between these two characters, my opinion is Shauns assumption of Barbaras identity is most problematic.
Narrative Criterion
According to the conversation between David and Shaun, David considers that Zombie Barbara and the woman they used to know are not the same people. This point of view can be connected with the Narrative continuity criterion raised by Marya Schechtman (9). The philosopher believes that the Narrative criterion with self-consciousness, memory, and a recognition of the importance of being intelligible to myself is the part, which makes a person who he is (Schechtman 18). It also means that all these properties make a personality more humane. Due to this explanation, it is possible to describe the scene from the movie correctly.
According to David, Barbara has lost her self-consciousness and the intelligible to herself based on the plot immediately after this scene. It is quite difficult to claim if Barbara still has her memory or not because some of the scenes show that there are still some minds zombies can have. The proof of this conclusion can be seen in the situation when Shaun is holding a gun and aiming at Barbara. The expression of a womans face at this moment is complicated. Moreover, when Shaun and Ed call their roommate Peter by his name, he turns his face and reacts to them. However, only memory without self-awareness is not enough to call him a rational and sane being. Although zombies have a human experience they are no longer people and can not think like humans.
Besides, as Schechtman claims, a person needs to perceive himself as a thinking being to observe the actions taking place around him, to memorize and accumulate the experience gained (18). It is rather difficult to say whether the concepts of experience and observation can be applied to zombies. Such a creature is guided by instincts and acts not by logical reasoning but on the assumption of the simplest reflexes.
Bodily Criterion
In addition to the above-described method, Shaun is trying to prove that Barbara is still his mother by the Bodily Criterion. This approach assumes that a person remains the same when his or her body consists in retaining the same functional organization (Schechtman 18). It means that a person can be called a person if his or her body parts have not ceased to function and have retained their activity without changing the structure. Nevertheless, in the case of Barbara, this is unacceptable. She and other zombies do not care about personal identity and do not realize their inferiority from both the spiritual and the physical point of view. Thats why I assume that Shauns point is the most problematic one.
The idea of the Bodily Criterion notes that the personality is only a physically conditioned essence, and this essence is the only component that is required for a human to remain himself. If the existence of the physical body ceases, the life of the individual will cease too, and self-identification will become impossible. What concerns zombies, this approach is partly right because even though they have almost no consciousness, the parts of their bodies still function, albeit unconsciously. Anyway, a zombie does not have a soul as we are used to understanding it, and does not control parts of his body, and therefore can not be considered a thinking being.
Different Species
In this case, Zombie Barbaras body function doesnt remain the same as the body she had when she was a human. Every single cell in her body has changed, and now is turning her into a new species. For humans, many parts of the body need to be protected. Otherwise, the damage caused can lead to death. If a persons internal organs are damaged, it is the reason for dangerous and sometimes lethal consequences. What concerns zombies, things are different. The only way to kill them is to create enough damage to their brain or remove their head. Zombies also cannot feel pain like humans, the food for them is blood and flesh, and they also cannot control their instinctive reactions.
These factors show that zombies do not have the same functional organizations as the people. Shaun himself also knows that the reason he was trying to protect Zombie Barbara is that his emotions and affection do not let him admit that his mother has turned into a zombie. It is another point, which showed that zombies and humans are different species. Even at the stage of turning from a person into a zombie, they are aware of their actions because they still have some feelings and self-consciousness. Having transformed, they are totally under the control of their instinct of eating. Just like Philips, Shauns stepfather showed his love before he passed away, but attacked Shaun immediately after he had become a living dead.
Memory Criterion
Shaun not only tries to prove that Barbara is his mom by the Bodily Criterion, but also the Memory Criterion. After he holds the gun and aims at his mother, he is waiting that Barbara will show some reactions proving that she is still alive. Barbara looks at him in a complicated way, which makes Shaun feel that there is still hope for her to remember him. However, the reaction of Barbara finally destroys his expectations, when his mother is trying to attack the other group members. Shaun finally shoots at Barbara, throwing every effort to find an excuse, and focuses on protecting his friends and girlfriend. There is a Narrative Criterion here again, which looks rather appropriate and reasonable.
Thus, the most significant reason for Shauns assumption being problematic is that the argument he holds is based on his emotions and the fallacy of ignorance on Davids argument. Moreover, the misuse of the Body Criterion is also a big reason that makes his argument non-reasonable. When making a conclusion, it is possible to say that the Memory Criterion is not as reasonable as the Narrative Continuity Criterion that David holds for this case. The latter approach includes the memory idea in personal identity and improves it more on the self-consciousness part to make the assumption stronger. According to the reasons list above, based on the argument between David and Shaun, Davids point of view is much more reasonable than Shauns assumption.
Works Cited
Schechtman, Marya. Personal Identity and the Past. Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology, vol. 12, no. 1, 2005, pp. 9-22.
Shaun of the Dead. Directed by Edgar Wright, performance by Simon Pegg, Universal Picture, 2004.
People were always concerned about some aspects of their life. Since the birth of humanity, they have been looking for answers to such questions as a sense of human life, origins of knowledge, peoples interaction with this world, and a lot of others. Philosophy appeared as the science that was trying to answer these questions.
Philosophers developed different concepts and ideas to explain certain issues. However, there are no direct answers to philosophical questions; that is why they remain actual. Humans thrust for knowledge stimulates further development of philosophy and its reflection in different kinds of art, including cinema.
The movie The Truman Show is that sort of film which touches the problem of a persons realization of this world and his place in it. The main character Turman Burbank lives in an artificial world, which is made for entertaining the viewers. He does not know this fact, trying to live his life as far as it is possible in this world. The whole city centers around his life, and he remains satisfied with this fact until some crucial moment. Truman behaved himself not according to the scenario, and it became impossible to hide the truth.
Having overcome a lot of difficulties, he has managed to escape from this golden cage. The whole idea of the movie is immediately interconnected with the idea of Platos Cave. It states that man lives within a framework of his reality, which is compared with a cave. That is why it is difficult for him to see something except it, even sunlight he percepts through a small hole.
This movie transforms Platos metaphor into an existing world where Truman lives. His behavior perfectly demonstrates Platos idea. He could see nothing, being blind in his ignorance. However, some hard stress made him see the light. It is also a philosophic idea. People have to leave their zone of comfort in order to develop their personality and percept the world from another perspective.
Another movie that presents mans eternal thrust for knowledge and understanding his place in the world is Stranger Than Fiction. The main character Harold Crick is a usual man. He works as an agent for the Internal Revenue service. His life is very monotonous; he lives by his wristwatch. He knows exactly what to do and when to do. However, his life changes totally when he starts to hear a voice in his head, which comments his every action.
Having recognized the fact that this voice belongs to a famous writer and everything he made was according to her book, he faces the problem. He cannot decide whether to struggle or to obey, accepting his fate. The issue of the authentic individual is touched in the movie. In philosophy, this term is used to describe the degree to which personality is true to itself. Harold leads his life, but the viewer cannot be sure that there are his actions and that he acts on his own will.
Being doomed to die, he, however, managed to change his life. This is the main idea of the movie. It shows the viewer that only recognition of his own identity and life helps Harold to survive and obtain himself. The movie makes us think about being authentic individuals and living our own life.
The problem of fate has always been actual for humanity. From ancient times people have been trying to find out the forces which determine their life. The philosophical opposition of free will and determinism appeared. The main question to discuss is whether a man is the master of his own life or everything he does has already been predetermined. The movie Minority Report tries to investigate this issue. The system of justice is based on predictions of Precogs, in which they see a murderer and his victim.
It is based on the idea of the determinacy of peoples lives. However, the main character does not want to accept it. Being a policeman, John Anderton is predicted to commit a crime. He does not believe it. The whole movie is the story of his struggle with the system and this prediction. The final scene conveys the whole idea. Lamar, director of PreCrime, was predicted to kill John.
Now he has the choice of whether to obey his destiny, proving the efficiency of this system, or to let John go, becoming the owner of his fate. Lamar commits suicide, making his own unexpected decision. However, the movie does not give a definite answer to the question of fate. It is up for the viewers to decide what theory they adhere to.
The movie Being John Malkovich touches such a philosophical issues as subjectivism. Even from its title, the viewer can determine the philosophical orientation of this movie. The main movies idea is based on a persons perception of the world. The main character Craig Schwartz is an unemployed puppeteer. However, he finds a strange job on a level seven and a half. He controls John Malkovich. This is the moment that introduces the philosophical issue of subjectivism. Craig controls John, doing everything as Malkovich.
When he is inside him, he percepts the world in his way. The question of identity and subjectivism appeared. If he does everything, so he is John Malkovich at the moment, however, from another point of view, he could be taken as Craig Schwartz who is trying to work his will upon John Malkovich. Moreover, Johns feelings are also of double nature.
He can save his individuality, feeling someone controlling him and trying to struggle, or he can also perceive the world from Craigs point of view while being controlled. Everything is subjective and depends on the perspective. This fact reflects the main idea of subjectivism as someones perception of this world.
With the development of society, people starts to think more and more about their personality. Especially keen, this question was in the era of totalitarian states when the needs of people were subordinated to some common purpose, and everyone should be just a soulless part of a mechanism in the state machine. Peoples vulnerability to state and politicians was also a topic for discussion. Very often, it was impossible to find justice in such kind of a state. The movie A Clockwork Orange speculates on these issues.
The main character Alex DeLarge lives in futuristic England. He is a member of a very cruel gang, which commits disgusting crimes. However, he is caught and subjected to treatment. His further life is determined by it. The question of his identity rises. After all events, he recovered in hospital, obtaining his original character.
This film touches the problem by asking the question to the viewer whether it is possible to change someone or a persons identity is constant. Another important issue of justice and policy is raised. Having committed a great number of crimes, the main character does not swallow the medicine, remaining free because of the deal with a politician. Moreover, he becomes a politician himself. This ending underlines peoples interest and vulnerability to the state machines.
Another important philosophical issue is the question of time. It is the very arguable question which has been exciting for people for a long time. It is possible to speak about the cyclic nature of time. Philosophers often use this category, trying to discover it more precise. An important notion, which is connected with this issue and which also has been actual is time travel. There is a great discussion between scientists whether the paradox can appear because of someones interference in time.
The comedy movie Bill and Teds Awesome Adventure also touch this question. Made in the genre of comedy, this film, however, can be taken seriously. The main characters Bill and Ted, travel in time in order to gather eminent people for them to help to accomplish the task. The main characters managed to catch Napoleon, princess Elizabeth, Ludwig van Beethoven, Abraham Lincoln, and many other famous people. The movie presents it jokingly.
However, a serious question appears Such rude interference in history can totally change the image of our world. Napoleon was caught on the eve of his conquest of Austria. This fact could have influenced the development of our history. Filmmakers wanted to show the delicacy of such an issue as time and its still unknown nature.
In conclusion, it should be said that all these movies demonstrate humans thrust for knowledge and a great role philosophy plays in the process of its obtaining.
Bibliography
A Clockwork Orange Directed by Stanley Kubrick. 1971. Warner Bros. 1972. DVD
Being John Malkovich. Directed by Charlie Kauffman. 1999. USA films. 2001. DVD
Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure. Directed by Stephen Herek. 1989. Orion Pictures. 1991. DVD.
Minority Report. Directed by Steven Spielberg. 2002. 20th Century Fox. 2003. DVD
Stranger than Fiction. Directed by Mark Forster. 2006. Columbia Pictures, 2006. DVD
The Truman Show. Directed by Peter Weir.1998. Paramount Pictures, 2002. DVD
Jane Austen is one of the most famous English writers whose works became really popular in the twentieth century. It is but natural that these works have been interpreted differently at different times.
It can be interesting to trace differences and similarities between the authors novels written in terms of values of the nineteenth century and modern film versions which reveal modern interpretation of the ideas articulated by the famous author. Therefore, it is possible to analyze Emma (1815) and two versions of the film: the free version of the novel Clueless (1995) and another version which is closely based on the novel Emma (1996).
It is possible to focus on one of the most important extracts of the novel, i.e. the time when Emma understands her true feelings towards Mr. Knightley. The two film versions reveal this part quite differently. Admittedly, it is always rather difficult to depict characters feelings and reasoning in a film.
However, the films in questions reveal Emmas doubts and commitment quite well, though Clueless (1995) is still more precise. Apart from this, the two versions confirm that when it comes to peoples romantic relationships nothing has changed since the nineteenth century as only settings change whereas people always remain unchanged.
Admittedly, one of the most important extracts of the novel is the one when Emma understands that she does love Mr. Knightley. This is a very important passage for the novel as the author punishes her heroine for being so self-confident. Austen articulates a very important idea: no one can try to make people attached to each other as this mystery of God can never be revealed. The author also stipulates that those who still try to intervene in such a mysterious affairs will be punished.
Interestingly, Austen devotes only few passages to describe Emmas feelings and her reasoning on the matter. The author reveals her particular thoughts:
The rest of the day, the following night, were hardly enough for her thoughts. She was bewildered amidst the confusion of all that had rushed on her within the last few hours& How to understand the deceptions she had& living under! The blunders, the blindness of her own head and heart! (Austen Chapter 47)
Austen describes Emmas unrest and her disappointment. Emma understands her mistakes and reconciles to Gods mysterious ways. This reconciliation leads to Emmas happiness.
It is necessary to note that this passage can be rather difficult to reveal in a film. There are many ways to do it: voice over, a dialogue, heroines monologue, etc. However, these all means should be perfectly thought over and performed. The two films use different means to reveal this important part of the novel.
Thus, in Emma (1996) filmmakers use the dialogue between Emma and her close friend. Emma tells her friend about her feelings towards Mr. Knightley. Basically, the filmmakers make Emma simply describe her unrest during the conversation.
Admittedly, the scene is appealing and Austen-like. Thus, the filmmakers have chosen a beautiful garden as the mis-en-scene. Natural light is used which makes the scene really natural and appealing. The two women go across the garden and camera follows them. This motion makes the scene very lively and energetic.
Emma stops to talk about her feelings and camera focuses on Emmas face. The woman reveals her deep emotions towards the man she loves. The motion (womens walk) reveals Emmas unrest and her search for her true feelings. When the two women stop, it is clear that Emma has made up her mind and she knows what is happening. She understands her true feelings, her true self. The camera also approaches Emmas face through green twigs to stop when Emma admits: I love him (Emma).
It is also important to note that the film is really close to the novel. Costumes of the nineteenth century and the dialogues recreate the atmosphere of Austens novel. Apart from this, romantic music enhances the tension and contributes greatly to the depiction of an intimate conversation typical for the nineteenth century.
As far as Clueless (1995) is concerned, the filmmakers also use natural light and outdoor setting, which is quite different from that of Emma (1996). Cher, modern Emma, walks along her favorite places in Beverly Hills. In fact, this is very close to the novel as it depicts her unrest perfectly well. Austen writes about Emmas attempts to do different things like walking, sitting, etc. This is what Cher does. She is trying to amuse herself.
Of course, a modern posh girl can hardly find peace in a peaceful place like a garden. Such a modern heroine heads towards boutiques and nice parks and streets. Thus, camera follows Cher walking along beautiful urban sites. There are hardly close-up shots. There are only two: when Cher starts asking herself why is she thinking of Josh and when she realizes that she loves him.
Interestingly to enhance the idea of her enlightenment, the filmmakers use a fountain which is enlightened and sparkling at the moment when Cher understands her true feelings: Oh, my God, I love Josh (Clueless). Music also plays a very important role revealing Chers feelings. Of course, this is one of the most popular songs of the twentieth century which can be referred to as an anthem of all urban girls and especially women. All by Myself performed by Jewel is a very good back sound for the episode.
Finally, the filmmakers use various shots depicting Josh and Cher together. These flashbacks reveal the girls reasoning perfectly well. More so, it is possible to state that the modern version better reveals the novels extract. Ironically, it is closer to the original than the film which depicts the nineteenth century society. Clueless depicts modern Emma who tries to figure out what her true feelings are. The girl wanders, recollects, contemplates. All this is perfectly depicted in the film of 1995 (see fig. 1).
Fig. 1. Storyboard of the scene from Clueless (1995).
To sum up, the two film versions use different means to reveal one of the most important extracts of the novel. The filmmakers of the two films had different visions and different objectives. However, the two films were equally good when revealing the womans reasoning and her doubts. The two Emmas are quite different but they are just the same when it comes to true feelings.
Of course, it is quite difficult to make a film version of such a popular novel as everyone has read it and everyone has specific vision. However, Emma and Clueless are good examples of how such versions should be made. The two versions are equally good. However, Clueless is more precise when depicting the exact reasoning.
The motion of the heroine and the snapshots used best reveal her unrest and her enlightenment. Nonetheless, it is necessary to add that the two films reach the major goal of any movie as they reveal the society of the twentieth century which is just the same as the society of the nineteenth century when it comes to feelings.
Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Emma. University of Virginia Library, 1994. Web.
Freemasonry is a fraternal association which dates back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It has been defined as being a society of gentlemen concerned with moral and spiritual values, and one of the worlds oldest and most popular fraternal organizations (Hoddap, 2005 p.13). It has been widely misunderstood and therefore controversial since it is a secret society. Today, various masonry forms exist globally having a membership of approximately 6 million people particularly in the developed world.
Freemasonry is an enigmatic society and serves as a brotherhood where members often gather for intellectual as well as spiritual nourishment. However, they are often perceived as a secretive organization dominated by influential people.
The freemason fraternity is structured into various autonomous grand lodges governed by its own jurisdiction and is comprised of constituent lodges. The different Grand lodges should adhere to landmarks in order to be recognized by the rest appendant bodies, which are also included as associations linked to the chief freemasonry group although they are governed autonomously. The organization utilizes various metaphors.
Historical perspective
The widely embraced historical origin of Freemason dates to the stonemason guilds in Scotland during the middle ages in the 18th century. The organization of masons was under the French, Charles Martel but masons guild existed during A.D 926 in New York led by Athelston (Hodapp, 2005).
However, some claim that it dates all the way to the construction of King Solomons Temple in the Biblical Jerusalem during 967 B.C. The temple was magnificent where the core sanctuary or sanctum sanctorum was designed for the Ark of the Covenant with sacred directives from God (Hodapp, 2005). According to this claim, the constructors of the temple comprised the initial stonemasons and who founded the extensive organization of freemasons that is seen today.
Hiram Abiff was the master architect of the temple and was bestowed with hidden knowledge regarding the temple. Others were envious and some kidnapped him in order to reveal the secret knowledge and killed Abiff when he failed to disclose the knowledge (Karg & Young, 2009).
King Solomon as a result demanded other masons to look for his corpse in order to get the secret knowledge required in the temple construction. They searched to no avail and Solomon initiated a Masonic secret which lied under the concept Mahabone, referring to the Grand Lodge door opened (Karg & Young, 2009). This concept is applied as a password to access the 3rd masonry degree.
Membership, Rituals and Symbols
Manny nations in the world have Grand Lodge of Freemasons identified through various emblems such as rings, or clothes having a square & a compass as illustrated below:
(Karg & Young, 2006)
There lies a mystery in the geometry in that the non-dogmatic supreme deity, whom they believe is the Great Architect of the Universe. The Supreme Being depends on each persons conscience and the general sacred book used is the Volume of the Sacred Law (VSL), which they keep on an altar. They also use these symbols such as the All Seeing Eye to indicate the omnipresence of the Supreme Being (Anderson & Freemasons, 2007).
They have a distinct identity with vehicles having Masonic plates as well as bumper stickers bearing their symbols. The Masonic buildings bear the symbol and some of the grand lodges market themselves through the media. They are said to uphold moral virtues and event teaches them.
However, joining them involves ritual ceremonies ion accordance to ancient guilds and is guided by Masonic laws portrayed in the Ancient Charges. They believe in a deity although they are not a religious organization since they are based on no religious dogma (Hodapp, 2005). They hold annual meetings regularly to convey messages, pay bills, vote new members and an update presentation on rites, history, values and symbol is given.
Membership comprises just males and new members are absorbed through various ceremonies marked by wining and dining. To fulfill their aim of fraternalism, feasts known as Festive Boards are held. Ritual ceremonies undergone by a new member are known as degrees, which adds up to three and include Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason ( Hodapp, 2005 p. 14). They are based on medieval craft guilds and are successive, based on Solomons temple.
Each degree is marked by taking an oath in maintaining secrets and in aiding other masons to adhere to fraternity guidelines. To advance to the next degree, it calls for proficiency through familiarity with rituals and the fraternity requirements. Basic units of freemason are called lodges to represent grouping of members and the place of meeting (Crowe, 2003).
Freemasonry and Politics
Freemasons do not interfere with states politics and chooses to be peaceful citizens who follow the law to the latter without any disloyalty. To become a master mason, one has an obligation of staying truthful to civil magistrates. In 1799, the organization was almost wiped out as a result of Parliamentary proclamation, Unlawful Societies Act, 1799 during the French revolution, which outlawed gatherings, which called for oaths.
However, the Grand Masters addressed their petition to Prime Minister William Pitt by pointing out their legal obligations and their charitable role, which resulted to its exemption from the act (Mckey, 1867). In 1826 in the U.S, the masons were pressurized as a result of William Morgans vanishing in a scandal dubbed the Morgan Affair. This, combined with objection of popular mason, Andrew Jackson resulted to Anti-Masonic campaigns adding up to Anti-Masonic party formation used for political gains in 1828 & 1832.
In 1877, the Italy scandals such as Propaganda Due Lodge have been associated with free masons, which were funded through Grande Oriente dtalia used by members who could not access their lodges. This lodge had a monetary scandal being led by Licio Gelli in 1970s, which almost caused a bankruptcy to the Vatican Bank. The lodge was autonomous and irregular since Grand Orient withdrew its funding in 1976, which led to the publicizing of the scandal and led to the expulsion of Gelli from the organization (Tellet & Atkin, 1991).
Conspiracy theorists have attributed the organization with the New World Order as well as Illuminati. They maintain that the organization has evil connections or its being secret may be because they have power over global politics. The freemason conspiracy theories surround the politics (in UK & US), religion (satanic practices) and culture such as entertainment. They have been connected with Knights Templar, which is based on complete misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
The claims regarding politics is controversial with conspiracy theorists claiming that free masons are an occult, Scottish rites involve hidden secrets inform of honorary degrees and that they are under the control of a single Masonic Lodge , which unifies their practices (Karg & Young, 2006). They have been continuously criticized by political systems such as the Nazi regime where many were persecuted and killed in concentration camps and due to liberal democracy establishment in the U.S (Karg & Young, 2009).
It is reflected as a wired organization sometimes individuals demanded for disclosure if linked with freemasons e.g. in UK judicial system in 1999 -2009. The parliament inquired without any indication of illegal dealings but demanded public declaration of their practices. This requirement was terminated in 2009 due to lack of indication of malpractices in the judiciary.
Freemasonry is not apolitical club as evidenced by its lack of involvement in rebellious or illegal behavior for decades. It often declares that irreligion, and unqualified liberty and equality, are the genuine secrets of Freemasonry (Mackey, 1867 p. 36). Frederic Desmons is one politician.who was involved in both Masonics as well as political career (Tallett & Atkin, 1991).
Masonic rules are against political involvement and grand lodges hinder its members against using the Masonic symbols in advertising business or political motives. George Washington as the US president became public about his involvement in with freemasonry in a political event. In France, in 1912, 52.7% of House of Deputies and 60% of Senators were from the secret brotherhood. In the US, the Ku Klux Klan movement had been traced to be a freemasonry organization.
In 1923, 69% of U.S House of Representatives and 63% of the senate were freemasons while (Fisher, 2010). Their dominance in the political arena was so significant by then although their representation in politics dropped drastically with just a few representatives of the Craft. This could be due to the concealing of identity such as Congressman Jack F. Kemp, who could not disclose his affiliation with the Craft.
The control of freemasons in the Supreme Court as well as the chief executives cannot be ignored. Andrew Jackson & George Washington are some of the presidential figures associated with the secret brotherhood (Karg & Young, 2006).
Others involved in the craft include Franklin Delano Roosevelt ( a member of Grand Lodge of New York), Harry S. Truman (a devoted mason, a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri and the initial US president to become Inspector General Honorary of the Thirty-third Degree), Lyndon B. Johnson and Gerald R. Ford (Fisher, 2010).
During the Second World War in the readership of Roosevelt and Truman, General George C. who was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Ernest King who was the Commander of the U.S. Fleet and General Henry H. Arnold who was Chief of the U.S. Army Air Corps included among other members of the Craft (Fisher, 2010). However, Masonic members dont disclose their affiliations with the organization to the non-Masons and they identify within themselves.
Mind Control through the Media: Movies
Masons have currently taken advantage of the adverting technology to transmit their beliefs to the world. One way that this has been done is through the media particularly the movies. Additionally, Chalk drawings on tavern floors, gave way to floor cloths, tracing boards, magic lanterns, filmstrips, and slide projectors (Hodapp, 2005 p. 273).
As a result, the Scottish Rite was popularized as a fraternal association during the previous century since they utilized the contemporary theatrical scenery, lighting and special effects (Hodapp, 2005 p. 273). Masonic symbols have currently been popularized through PowerPoint presentation to transmit their values in the lodge. The now emerging trend in advertizing Masonic symbols is 3-D texture mapping of Solomons temple and interactive Middle Chamber Lectures (Hodapp, 2005 p. 273).
The square & a compass symbolism are applied in teaching moral as well as ethical virtues. The square and compass symbols are important in transmitting crucial teachings related to conduct. For instance, freemasons are supposed to square their deeds over virtues square as well as be able to circumscribe their wishes and contain their passions inside appropriate limits for every human.
Freemasonry, being non-dogmatic, has no universal explanation on the Masonic emblem. The moral teachings are taught while conducting allegorical ritual as members speculate on symbols and motives of the organization as they progress through various degrees (Mackey & Haywood, 2003).
The media has supported in the negative publicity of freemasons especially in France. Free masons have been in the movies portraying their symbols on the scenery and their portrayal of rituals for the main actors. Masonic references in the movies do not necessarily have a major appearance in the mainstream films but they have been making appearances in the mainstream films since the last decade.
Rather than their normal investigative reports, it seems as Hollywood and other production houses target the many free masons market in the US and the other parts of the world as their audience. This has well been used to advertise the freemasonry values and symbols as well as using the film industry to control peoples mind.
For instance, The Da Vinci Code (2006) has introduced Masonic references where Tom Hanks position himself before a Masonic square and compass. He also mentions of freemasonry slightly. Here, free masonry reference is depicted as an advert or to add up to the speculative aspect that dominates the movie (Grand Lodge of the British Columbia and Yukon, 2011).
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) depicts the phantom with a Masonic ring and instances of the symbol of the square and compass on doors. Additionally, The Ghost of Mississippi depicts Mr. Becks (James Wood) car bearing a Shriners symbol in the rear view mirror. His victim in his coffin has Order of Elks around the chest. It is also depicted in several evidence photos and the murder is seen as having a Shrine Lapel pin during his trial.
Here the Masonic references could be meant to assert the Masonic involvement with the Southern Masons in the judicial system or its a way to facilitate speculations. James wood had become a master mason in Greenwood Lodge in 1954, but had an expulsion in 1978. Moreover, In the American Gangster (2007), Ted Lavine bears a Masonic lapel pin.
Other movies depicting Masonic references includes but not limited to The Affair of the Diamond Necklace (2001), Anatomie (2000), The Apocalypse Watch (1997), Bad Boys II (2003),and Brothers War (2009) (Grand Lodge of the British Columbia and Yukon, 2011).
When a person mentions of a Masonic symbol, people are struck with the idea of secrecy in communication for its members. They use universal handshakes, which they secretly identify with each other and therefore acquire favor in the business world and in political systems. These vary with the masonry degree that one is in, all with varying grip for identity. The media especially the film industry use prominent men in the political, business and entertainment arena to assert their membership in the secret brotherhood.
The High sign is well documented, which may be used to identify a member in distress e.g. when a mason is cornered during a trial and thus acquire help from other members. The Masonic references in movies are a way of transmitting their philosophies on the world. One freemason high rank associate was noted saying that Any teaching which is completely antagonistic to all that we consider sacred, in religion, in morals and in government, is subversive of those fundamentals, and on them we depend for our very existence as a Craft.
Our first duty, therefore, becomes one of self preservation, which includes defense of those principles for which we stand and by which we live. This duty cannot be discharged by complete silence on the subject, and this view, it is encouraging to note, is today shared by most of those who speak Moronically in the United States (Fisher, 2010).
Conclusion
Freemasons are allowed to be involved in any political arena of their choice although they are restricted from utilizing freemasonry as a political movement. However, critics have pointed out that their domination in the politics is a way of manipulating the global politics. However, free masons have been involved in charity for instance in the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
The founders of the U.S constitution had a hand of freemasons, who gathered in lodges to advocate for democracy, which was an ideal place for liberation, equality and autonomy of conscience (Karg & Young, 2009). In the media, they have currently dominated the movie industry as a way of advertising themselves, teaching their philosophies to the world, and to manipulate audiences mind.
People hence remain speculative about them but award them with the benefit of the doubt. This is because they can see their prominent figures as being part of Freemasonry take it as a common occurrence and therefore are persuaded to join and accept them.
References
Anderson, J. and Freemasons. (2007). The Constitutions Of Free-Mason: Containing The History, Charges And Regulations Of That Most Ancient And Right Worshipful Fraternity: For The Use Of Lodges. New York: The University of California.
Crowe, F. J. (2003). Things a Freemason Should Know. New York: Kessinger Publishing.
Grand Lodge of the British Columbia and Yukon (2011). Masonic References in Cinema. Web.
Hodapp, C. (2005). Freemasons for Dummies. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Karg, B. and Young, J. K. (2006). The Everything Freemasons Book: Unlock The Secrets of This Ancient And Mysterious Society. Avon, MA: F+W Media, Inc.
Karg, B. and Young, J. K. (2009). 101 Secrets of the Freemasons: The Truth Behind The Worlds Most Mysterious Society. Avon, MA: Adams Media.
Mackey, A. G. (1867). The Mystic Tie: Or, Facts and Opinions, Illustrative Of the Character and Tendency of Freemasonry. New York: Masonic Publishing and Manufacturing Co.
Mackey, A. G. and Haywood, H. L. (2003). Encyclopedia of Freemasonry: Part 2. New York: Kessinger Publishing.
Tallett, F. and Atkin, N. (1991). Religion, Society and Politics in France since 1789. London: The Hambledon Press.
After the first wave of Orwellian-like dystopias, it might have seem that the humankind is fed up with all kinds of ideas about the idea of introducing future as the time of hatred, prejudice and totalitarianism. However, the idea appeared to be too enthralling to leave it rot, and in the second half of XX to XXI century, it has spawned a large number of movies and novels. Three specimens of these movies and novels are going to be considered in the given paper. Although the plots of V for Vendetta, Blade Runner and Parable of the Sower do not seem to cross at any point, all of them make one speculate on the fragile balance between the people representing one school of political thought and the groups of others.
Each of the above-mentioned stories represents an image of a post-human, and, needless to say, this image is rather deplorable in the best traditions of Orwellian novels. Each of the leading characters in the movies and the novel, V, Blade Runner and Olamina have nothing else left to fight for. Yet they fight for the sake of ancient, an-eye-for-an-eye kind of justice. In a way, they succeed; at least, they manage to reach their state of enlightenment, even though their revelation comes at a cost of their lives.
It is worth asking a question, why disturbing ideas like these would be so popular among the general public. While fighting for freedom does seem quite exciting, the prospects of spending ones life as a maniac trying to survive in a den of snakes is not so great after all. However, the attractiveness of the movies and stories that focus on the story of a rebel and have the only-the-strong-survive idea as a basis can be explained from the standpoint of Darwin theory. Indeed, in every single plot that has been mentioned above, the idea that a man will never lose the will to fight is present, which sums Darwins research in a nutshell. Moreover, there is certain link between the ideas of the movies and Darwins speculation about the game and the vermin:
If not one head of the game were shot during the next twenty years in England, and, at the same time, no vermin were destroyed, there would, in all probability, be less game than at present, although hundreds of thousands of game are annually shot. (Darwin 198).
Therefore, if considering that the rebellious characters in the stories were game , while the authorities were the vermin, the stories clearly illustrate that there will always be balance between those for a specific idea and certain tendencies in the government, and there will always be those opposed. Therefore, making an attempt to wipe the latter off the face of the Earth seems not only cruel, but also unreasonable. Even if every single specimen of a certain movement vanishes, the idea of rebelling against the system will finally emerge, and a new opposition of prey will be formed.
The given argument, however, takes the idea expressed in the novels and the movies in question to a different level. If considering the rebels in the novel and the movies the vermin instead of the prey, the idea of the stories will change slightly. Viewing these plots through such lens means accepting that vermin also performs a positive function, i.e., making the society more diverse and not allowing the existing regime turn it into stagnation. A very basic, yet very true idea of a human, it was right then and it is still right nowadays. The rebellion will go on, no matter what the authorities think of it.
Works Cited
Darwin, Charles. From the Origins of Species and The Descent of Man. n. d. 195199. Web.