Business vs. Personal in Francis Ford Coppolas The Godfather

Introduction

Despite the existing attitudes and opinions, most critics and ordinary people across the globe consider The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola a classic movie that changed everything about gangsters in the film industry. In addition to professional stage direction, well-developed dialogues, and a perfectly chosen cast, the work covers a number of themes, including the relationships between parents and children, loyalty, betrayal, power, and justice.

Discussion

However, in my opinion, the most predominant theme is a strong connection and comparison between business and personal. After a terrible attack on the head of the family, Vito Corleone, his children and followers, namely Sonny, Michael, Tom Hagen, and Clemenza, discuss a plan of revenge. Several characters mention the phrase its not personal; its strictly business in the same context, proving the necessity to distinguish the goals (Coppola). The Godfathers private vs. personal mantra as the main theme helps explain inevitable violence and the harshness of decisions made by the Corleones during the daughters wedding, the fathers retirement, and the sons baptism.

One of the main scenes that reveal how personal and business are intertwined in the movie is in the beginning when Vito Corleone accepts several clients during his daughters wedding. Most people come to the Godfather for justice and protection. Still, Vito does not treat their requests as the business only. He points out that Bonasera does not ask with respect or offer friendship but wants to do murder for money (Coppola). In contrast, Johnny Fontane comes to his Godfather in despair of getting the role in the movie, and Vito decides to make an offer a person cannot refuse (Coppola). These statements convey the essence of the Corleone business based on personal issues and honest relationships. Although gangsters kill many people and use violence as the only solution, Coppola makes their story enormously emotional because of the necessity to use business to support personal needs (Mondello). It is not always easy to recognize the line between the good (acceptable) and the bad (violating), and the movie shows how ambiguous gangster life can be.

Another interesting example of how personal and business issues are combined is the moment of transferring the leadership from a father to a son. Although one of the main issues is how the family business is organized, the power of human feelings, with special attention to the sense of family and the sense of love, is obvious (Gambino). When Vito can no longer lead the family affairs, he needs to understand which of his sons could continue the business. Sonny is shot, Fredo is weak, Tom is not strong enough, and Michael is the only one who should deal with the situation. In his conversation with Michael, Vito represents the power of fatherhood and the necessity not to forget about their business by saying, women and children can be careless but not men (Coppola). The Corleone family is strong and diverse at the same time, and Vitos task is to explain to Michael how to balance personal and business. Each word, movement, and sight play an important role in delivering the message about the worth of every decision and action in the gangster world.

Finally, the baptism scene serves as the best evidence of when the family cannot escape from the loop of the violent business and personal responsibilities. On the one hand, there is nothing more important and sacred than a moment when a child is introduced to the church together with the closest family members and friends. On the other hand, the same time is used to take business revenge and murder several gangster leaders. This scene underlines the power of inevitable conflict between what should be done in the name of family and in the name of business and power. Although Michael renounces the worst virtues in the church, his decisions contradict his vowels in society. In his dialogue with his wife, he asks her not to interfere with his business and lies, verifying the superiority of the business over personal interests (Coppola). Still, after watching The Godfather, it is possible to understand that sometimes, personal and business issues cannot be divided or compared, giving birth to a new strong concept of the family business in the movie industry and social science.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the importance of maintaining a family business is a critical theme in Coppolas Godfather, which combines personal and business concepts. During the movie, the Corleone family faces a variety of situations when fast and rational decisions should be made to protect the familys dignity and life. Unfortunately, gangsters can hardly achieve their happy ending in most cases because their violence and competition have a high price. The end of the Corleone story may be predicted, but the strength of the movie lies not in its perspicuity but in the unpredictability of the peoples reactions. When a person feels sorry for the gangsters death, it means that the director succeeds as a great manipulator of business and personal elements. Such events as a wedding, a funeral, or a baptism demonstrate the strengths of family ties. When characters use these moments to solve their business affairs, they prove that business can never disappear in their personal lives.

Works Cited

Coppola, Francis Ford. The Godfather. Paramount Pictures, 1972.

Gambino, Megan. What is The Godfather Effect? Smithosnian, Web.

Mondello, Bob. The Godfather Bridged Old and New Hollywood to Save American Moviegoing. NPR, Web.

Video Games Impact on Adolescent Violence

Introduction

Since the advent of computer games, heated debates have not subsided. Some consider them absolute evil and the only reason for many bloody crimes. For others, it is a common way of entertainment and pastime. Moreover, some people support the development of the game industry and the release of new games, as they contribute to the brain activity and development of children and adolescents and release negative emotions. Nevertheless, for many, video games have become a scapegoat that can explain the manifestation of violence and aggression. However, video games are not the root cause of violence but only a convenient excuse for politicians and society.

Causes of Violence

To understand whether video games are guilty of violence, it is necessary to comprehend their causes. The manifestations of aggression have a motive, often associated with a persons psychological state. That may be, for example, prolonged suppression of negative emotions or social isolation of a person. On the contrary, video games contribute to the release of negative emotions and the socialization of a person due to the presence of a chat. Furthermore, given the right upbringing and morals, most gamers can distinguish between graphic violence in video games and violence in the real world.

Video games, in particular shooters, are often blamed for their visuals. Nevertheless, such games have an age limit of 18+, but even at an earlier age, people are aware of the difference between violence in games and real life. In the conditions of proper social education and the absence of other factors, a teenager who plays games will not try to put what he sees into practice because he is aware of the consequences of his actions. At the same time, Ferguson et al. (2022) argue that not only content but also competitiveness and difficulty in games can often cause aggression. However, according to this principle, the reasons for aggression and cruelty can also be regular sports competitions or academic performance due to high competition.

Video Games as Scapegoats

However, when there is a massive manifestation of aggression in society, people must find its cause. At the same time, the reason should be specific enough, not abstract, and should not be associated with society. Video games help to avoid mentioning social problems such as discrimination or other intolerance, problems of the upbringing and social environment of the child, and other issues that require much more effort to resolve. Blaming video games for violence on teenagers and demanding a government ban on their distribution is much easier than addressing racism or gender inequality.

On the other hand, video games have a positive effect on the formation of the psyche. For example, they allow players to control emotions better and can be used as a coping strategy for stress. Aggression requires release, and virtual reality is the safest way to do this (Ferguson et al., 2022). In addition, games, especially network games, contribute to establishing social ties and realizing a persons need for communication. Moreover, they develop teamwork, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. However, people often pay attention only to obvious things without trying to analyze the situation.

Blaming Video Games by Politicians

Moreover, it is beneficial for the government and politicians to blame the cruelty of teenagers and school shootings on video games. Politicians cannot admit their inability to control society, so they are looking for someone or something to blame for mass shootings or other social disasters (Kocurek, 2019). Social institutions and the government cannot create normal conditions for controlling the manifestation of violence in the real world. Furthermore, they cannot acknowledge the existence of social discrimination or problems with gun control. Taxes finance the mechanisms of regulation of society, so the recognition by politicians that they cannot fulfill the obligations assigned to them would lead to massive social dissatisfaction. Therefore, it is convenient for the government to blame video games and encourage this ramp-up to spread in society.

School Shooting and Other Allegations

Most often, video games are accused of school shootings and other mass manifestations of cruelty by teenagers. At the same time, adolescents social context is often not considered. For example, the shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 were cited as the cause of the shooters fascination with Doom (Kocurek, 2019). However, at the same time, the social context and the fascination of the perpetrators with Nazism were not taken into account. Another example is the shooting in El Paso, the true cause of which was the shooters belief in white supremacy (Kocurek, 2019). However, the perpetrators mention that he was familiar with video games and played them provided sufficient grounds for accusing video games of causing violence.

Moreover, video games are popular in many countries worldwide, but in the United States, there is the most public shooting. Therefore, searching for the reasons for the manifestation of this cruelty in video games does not have sufficient grounds. A study by Ferguson et al. (2022) showed that there are no links between violent content and aggression (p. 94). Therefore, accusing video games of violence is a convenient cover-up for Americas political and social systems imperfections.

Conclusion

Thus, video games are not the root cause of adolescent violence and aggression. On the contrary, they contribute to releasing negative emotions and provide opportunities for socialization and intellectual development. Moreover, under normal conditions of socialization, a person can distinguish between virtual and real cruelty and is aware of their consequences. Therefore, using video games as a scapegoat is only a convenient social construct that allows people to ignore more global problems.

Reference

Ferguson, C. J., Gryshyna, A., Kim, J. S., Knowles, E., Nadeem, Z., Cardozo, I., Esser, C., Trebbi, V., & Willis, E. (2022). Video games, frustration, violence, and virtual reality: Two studies. British journal of social psychology, 61(1), 83-99. Web.

Kocurek, C. A. (2019). Why we scapegoat video games for mass violence and why its a mistake. The Washington Post. Web.

The Role of Media in Creating Mass Opinions in the US

Introduction

The mass media  both traditional and social  are an important component of the mass communication of society, which acquires special significance in the post-industrial era. The media carries various socio-political roles: organizing, unifying, consolidating society, educating and informing masses, and others. However, it can also play a disintegrating, separating role, especially nowadays, when political and economic crises are shaking the pillars of America. Media responsibility in regard to presented data has become a serious issue in the modern society.

Discussion

Traditional news media, for example, take a rather differentiated approach to providing information to people. There is a variety of newspapers for almost every political alignment of the masses  from right wing conservatives to democrats, liberals, libertarians, and others. The same message can be presented very differently in accordance with the news outlets political agenda  the most relevant and current example is the issue of transgenderism and its discussion. Conservative aligned media often try to portray transgender people as mentally ill, perverted, or even sex offenders, while liberal newspapers advocate for trans rights and highlight many injustices this community faces. According to Burke and Kazyak (2022), during the 2022 midterm election campaign, Republican public officials targeted transgender rights in what NPR and other news media have called the new front in the culture wars (para. 1). As a consequence, the information often gets distorted to support the media audiences views, which, in turn, results in further separation of the masses. In this regard, the problem of the accuracy of the factual data becomes especially acute, as incorrect information might be used to fuel hate and spread falsehoods about important social and political matters.

Social media are fundamentally different from traditional news outlet, as they offer people the opportunity to express their own opinions about various issues rather than presenting established perspective. Twitter, in particular, has become a platform for continuous open discussions, where one can view real-life arguments between representatives of different points of view. Even gimmick accounts are now partaking in expressing their owners political and social opinions, often prompting heated arguments among their large audiences. Younger generations, such as millennials and Zoomers, are now using social media platforms to establish their worldviews and look for support among their peers. This has been actually becoming a serious concern nowadays, as the quality of the information provided by personal accounts on social media is often not just questionable but downright false.

People who express their opinions on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or any other media have no legal or professional responsibility in regard to the messages they post, and this affects the reliability of this data significantly. From this perspective, it seems that social media have to step into the discourse to offer factual checks  via moderating the messages or providing additional context, for example. Twitter has recently introduced the option of adding informational context to tweets that might be spreading disinformation; the necessary data is supplied by users and volunteers (Lorenz et al., 2022). Still, the amount of tweets that require such checks is growing each day. Meanwhile, this function relies upon the responsibility of the users themselves and a small group of volunteers, so it is not a truly viable solution. Thus, the platforms themselves need to introduce new methods of combatting false information; however, with the amount of content produced every day, it is, indeed, a complex issue.

Conclusion

All types of media continue to play a crucial role in informing people and creating mass opinions on important issues. This makes the need to increase their responsibility for the accuracy of the information they provide more acute than ever, as formed views on specific problems might cause further separation of an already quite segmented American society. However, the complexity of supplying continuous factual checks to the ever-growing amount of content poses a barrier mass media has yet to tackle.

References

Burke, K., & Kazyak, E. (2022). Analysis | Americans support for transgender rights has declined. Heres why. Washington Post. Web.

Lorenz, T., Oremus, W., & Merrill, J. (2022). How Twitters contentious new fact-checking project really works. Washington Post. Web.

Society Should Get Rid of Birthday Celebration as a Norm

A birthday is a personal celebration of people that occurs only once a year. It is generally accepted that the people around them try to greet the person and make it the happiest day of the year. It is essential to note that some individuals are happy to accept congratulations, while others are anxious or even disconnected from the phone (Luhmann, 2018). Thus, it is essential to establish reasons to get rid of the norm of birthday celebrations.

The first reason is that people spend a whole year waiting for their birthday to change or improve something about themselves. In fact, this day is just the date on which a person was born, meaning it has no other meaning and does not assist individuals in fulfilling their own desires (Luhmann, 2018). Therefore, if we get rid of the social norm of celebrating birthdays, more people will stop making wishes and instead work every day to achieve their dreams. This way, the worlds population will become more productive and enjoy better welfare.

At the same time, the modern world has become globalized, which is why society is now interested in global phenomena rather than individual ones. Accordingly, the second reason for not celebrating the day is that most people simply forget to congratulate friends or relatives because of the amount of work or worries around the house. As a rule, they send birthday greetings to people through the phones reminder function (Luhmann, 2018). Thus, people are now focused on global processes or on their own lives, and birthdays are just formalities and customs that need to be observed. Moreover, many people are upset by their age and become depressed. This phenomenon occurs most often on the day of birth, although humans are getting older every day (Luhmann, 2018). Thus, abolishing the rule of celebrating birthdays will improve the emotional and psychological state of the population.

Reference

Luhmann, N. (2018). Are there still indispensable norms in our society?. Soziale Systeme, 14(1), 18-37. Web.

CNN Docuseries Giving Birth in America

Introduction

It is important to note that motherhood is a multifaceted experience in the United States. CNN docuseries Giving Birth in America by Every Mother Counts is a multi-part documentary series that explores the challenges and experiences of women giving birth in the United States. The series looks at issues such as maternal mortality, racial disparities in healthcare, and the ways in which the American healthcare system can be improved to better serve women and families during childbirth. The given reaction analysis will focus on New York, California, and Montana parts. Throughout the episodes, it is evident that the current healthcare system is failing mothers, especially minority women, who need access to more affordable alternatives, such as midwifery services.

New York

The given episode of the series can be used to identify the general issues in healthcare in the US when it comes to mothers. It was surprising to see that in such a diverse and multicultural state, there are racial disparities. For instance, African American women in New York City are more likely to experience complications during childbirth and more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women (Every Mother Counts, 2023). The poor are challenged by the existing roadblocks as well, which are manifested in excessively high costs and low access to affordable care. Emotionally, the video makes a viewer angry and frustrated at the dysfunctional healthcare system and policymakers who enable it. Thus, the solutions must be comprehensive and multifaceted in order to be able to address all the critical problems in the State of New York.

California

The episode was highly similar to New Yorks case in terms of the issues identified. The same patterns emerge, which highlight the high cost of care, the lack of access, and racial inequalities. However, compared to other episodes, this one seems to have a greater problem with language barriers and costs. For instance, a Hispanic mother stated that she was deeply traumatized by the fact that a clinic charged her $5800, which is outside her ability to afford such care (Every Mother Counts, 2023). While watching the video, there was a sense of dread and hopelessness due to the financial burdens, which have no place during an already stressful period of pregnancy and motherhood.

Montana

The episode on Montana was the most insightful of the three videos because it showcased the sheer importance of providing mothers with alternatives. Since the beginning, it became evident that some women are resorting to giving birth at home, which led Nandi Andrea to become a midwife (Every Mother Counts, 2023). Midwifery access as an alternative can be crucial for mothers who cannot or do not want to give birth in regular clinics, which tend to charge excessive sums of money. Racial trauma of historical and systemic oppression is highlighted in the episode, where women of Native American or African American backgrounds still experience healthcare inequalities to this day.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the existing healthcare system in America is failing mothers, especially minority women, who require access to more affordable alternatives, such as midwifery services. The high cost of care and lack of access to affordable alternatives, such as midwifery services, present significant barriers for many families. While the episodes in New York, California, and Montana illustrate different challenges in accessing maternal healthcare, they all point to the need for comprehensive and multifaceted solutions to improve maternal health outcomes and ensure that all women have access to safe, high-quality care during childbirth.

Reference

Every Mother Counts. (2023). Giving birth in America [Video]. CNN. Web.

The Kingdom of Heaven: Event Description

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a great big event to which everyone is invited. There are no exclusions, no VIP lists, and no dress codes. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, young or old, sad or happy, everyone is welcome, and everyone is celebrated. In one small town, people lived for themselves and their life was completely ordinary, and did not differ in anything special from the life of any person in the world. They worked, sometimes complained about their jobs, met with friends on the weekends, raised children, sometimes quarreled with neighbors, liked to scroll through social networks, and sometimes wrote comments that could offend someone. The inhabitants of this town were perfectly normal until one day, each resident received an invitation to a special event that was held in a big old house on top of a hill near the town.

The inhabitants of the city were very surprised, because they did not know who lived in this house, but everyone accepted the invitation. As the guests arrive at the event, they are greeted with warmth and hospitality. They are ushered in by a host who is kind, generous, and compassionate. He takes the time to greet each guest individually, to offer them refreshments, and make them feel at home. As they enter the house, they are struck by the atmosphere. It is filled with joy, laughter, and love. The music is uplifting, the food is abundant, and the decor is beautiful. Everywhere they look, they see smiling faces, happy people, and a sense of belonging. As they mingle with the other guests, they realize that they are surrounded by a diverse group of people. Some are wealthy and successful, while others are struggling to make ends meet. Some are young and carefree, while others are burdened with the responsibilities of life. But they all share one thing in common: they have accepted the invitation and are now part of this wonderful community.

As the night goes on, the guests begin to notice something else: the host of the event is not only generous, kind, and compassionate, who takes the time to talk to each person, to listen to their stories, and to offer them encouragement and support. But also do not judge them based on their appearance, their wealth, or their achievements, see them as they are, and love them just the same. As the night wears on, the guests find themselves drawn to the host. They want to know more about him, to learn what makes him so special. And as they talk to him, they realize that he is not just any host. He is a teacher, a guide, and a friend. He shares with them his wisdom, his insights, and his love. He shows them what it means to live a life of compassion, kindness, and generosity.

And as they listen to him, they begin to understand that the Kingdom of Heaven is not just a place, but a state of mind. It is about living life with an open heart, being present at the moment, and being mindful of others. It is about treating everyone you meet with love and respect, regardless of their circumstances. It is about being a light in the darkness, a beacon of hope in a world that sometimes feels hopeless. As the party comes to an end, the guests realize that they have been given a gift. They have been shown a glimpse of what the world could be like if everyone lived with the same sense of love and acceptance. They have seen that it is possible to create a community that is based on compassion and kindness, rather than on competition and judgment. And as they leave the party, they make a promise to themselves. They vow to carry the spirit of the Kingdom of Heaven with them, to live their lives in a way that is guided by love and grace. They know that it would not always be easy, but they also know that it is worth it.

Networking Schemes in Riverside, California

Introduction

Riverside is one of the fast-developing cities in the United States, and the main networking opportunities in this location can be conferences, meetups, and informational interviews, for example, Moreno Valley Regional Job Fair and Business Opportunity Meetings provide ground for career development, exchange of experience, and seeking new business partners.

Discussion

The latter is hosted by PHP Agency, which works towards diversity and sustainability in business, attracting people from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds who are interested in starting and developing a business. The use of Niche Networking helps to create a diverse and adaptable platform that caters to the needs of a particular sphere or allows people to find jobs easily (Koksal, 2019). This organization hosts meetings twice a week on Lime Street, both in English and Spanish. Attendees usually include business and start-up owners who seek partnerships, sponsors, as well as new perspectives and solutions.

To a networking event at PHP Agency, I would take a notebook and a pen to take notes. I would also prepare business cards with my name, credentials, and contact information to exchange with others. It could also be beneficial to have a name badge to ensure that other attendees learn my name and take notice of me. Most importantly, I will work on preparing a small verbal presentation about my business/start-up: what is it about, where it is located, what services it offers, and other relevant information. Finally, I will write down my questions about others business experiences and possible opportunities beforehand to ask during the meeting.

Conclusion

I will first choose the date and time of the meeting that would fit my plans, book it on the Riverside event website, and then come to attend it. During the meeting, I will try to converse with as many different individuals as possible to expand my network and generate new acquaintances. I will exchange opinions on business solutions and opportunities with others, present my own company/startup, and collect contacts on relevant enterprises. Moreover, I will also hand out my business cards to all people interested in my company, be it as possible sponsors, investors, partners, or customers. I will also make sure to come to the meetings at least bi-weekly to become a part of the community and build relationships with other businesspeople.

Reference

Koksal, I. (2019). The rise of niche and vertical social networks. Forbes. Web.

PR and Media Academy: How to Get Yourself the Media You Deserve

Introduction

PR and Media Academy: How to Get Yourself the Media You Deserve is the title of a video that provides advice for real estate agents on how to handle public relations. Tristan Ahumada hosts the Lab Coat Agents, and their guest is Christine Haas, a public relations mogul, TV presenter, PR planner, and media expert.

Discussion

The idea of guest posting is one of the videos major tenets, and it is one that I found especially useful. Christine Haas cited guest posting as a great way to get ones name out there, particularly if one is just starting out in the media (Lab Coat Agents, 2020). Guest blogging allows publishing content on other websites for the purpose of gaining exposure. Posting as a visitor allows one to tap into the readership of other sites, potentially resulting in a huge increase in traffic. By contributing high-quality pieces, I could position myself as an authority in the real estate field and increase awareness of my brand among the outlets readership. I would use guest posting to drive traffic to a particular microsite designed to promote a specific product, leading readers to my primary real estate company website.

A second valuable piece of knowledge was how to break into the television industry and network with reporters to get coverage on the evening news. Christine Haas stressed the significance of presenting oneself as the expert while simultaneously involving a customer as the storys focal point in such a scenario (Lab Coat Agents, 2020). The reporter should also be made aware of any potential B-roll shots. The chance to speak with a client who has recently purchased or is planning to buy real estate is enhanced by this publicity.

Conclusion

If a client isnt available for an evening show appearance, introducing yourself as a real estate specialist in the morning show is a decent alternative. However, it would be helpful if this talk also covered subjects like how to create quality articles for the purpose of business promotion and how to follow the submission rules when guest posting. A better understanding of public relations practical side would be greatly aided by discussing the aforementioned issues.

Reference

Lab Coat Agents. (2020). PR and media academy: How to get yourself the media you seserve! [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Luke Skywalker as a Hero of Star Wars

Defining a character or a person as a hero requires them to demonstrate qualities that make them exceptional in their environment. Based on a framework constructed by Joseph Campbell to describe the typical mythological archetype of a mono-myth, it is possible to trace similar tropes in characters from Ancient Greece to modern days (Winkler). A clear example of a heros journey is the story of George Lucas Star Wars, embodied by its central hero, Luke Skywalker.

Lukes story is one of self-discovery, perseverance, and evolution as a character. His journey from being a moisture farmer on the desert planet of Tatooine to the epic battles against the Galactic Empire and eventual victory symbolizes the transitions between the ordinary and the unfamiliar worlds (Winkler). Lukes unwavering commitment to the greater good makes him put the needs of others before his own, risking his life to save his friends, allies, and even strangers. From his call to adventure to his encounters with mentors and allies to his ultimate confrontation with the enemy, Lukes journey follows a classic pattern established by Joseph Campbell (Winkler). Luke faces seemingly insurmountable challenges and overcomes them through perseverance, courage, and ingenuity. In a galaxy torn apart by war and oppression, Luke is a symbol of resistance, a beacon of light in the darkness. He inspires others to stand up for their beliefs and fight for a better future. He never gives up, even when the odds are stacked against him, and his unwavering faith in the power of the Force gives hope to those around him.

In conclusion, Luke is a hero, particularly because he represents hope. Embodying the classic archetype of the heros journey and transformation, he commits himself to the greater good, standing and eventually prevailing against seemingly insurmountable odds. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of fans, proving that the heros journey is a universal story that will always resonate with audiences.

Work Cited

Winkler, Matthew. What Makes a Hero? TedEd. Ted Conferences, LLC, 2014.

Female Authority in We Are Not Princesses Documentary

Introduction

The documentary We Are Not Princesses (2018) is an adaptation of the Antigone myth. The play tells us about how female authority is portrayed in modern society. It tells the story of several women worldwide and their hardships of being oppressed in society simply because they were born female (Filmzie, 2018). It bursts with a deep passion for how censorship, objectification, and trivialization make it hard for female authority to endure. The language used reveals the true nature of the characters. The adaptation is an example of a richly layered film that invites audiences to analyze different languages and wrestle with implications about what it means to be human (Le Guern-Camara, 2019). The film uses a range of cinematic techniques to implicate the viewer in the objectification of women. The documentary adopts an oblique structure, using bold, comic relief devices and formalized structures to position the viewer as an empowered observer rather than a morally responsible agent.

Contrary to popular belief, not all women in the past have fit into a Princess archetype. The Princess image has been perpetuated by feminism and women over time, such as during the Victorian era (Le Guern-Camara, 2019). The documentary responds to the question of female authority posed by Antigones war against the norms of his society. A decisive factor in this confrontation is the attitude toward gender, which is constantly questioned and challenged. This essay will analyze how female authority is depicted in society.

Summary

In We are not princesses, Antigones speech is adapted to assert female authority. The director uses the language of Antigones speech to highlight the importance of female voices and the need for women to be heard, regardless of their background or social status (Filmzie, 2018). The film also uses this adaptation to show how women are undermined in society through language and how they can fight back against that by speaking up for themselves and demanding respect.

In this adaptation, the characters are all women and must fight against the patriarchy to get what they want. They do this using their words, as they have no other power over men. The language they use to speak their minds shows how they can stand up for themselves and what they believe in. Antigone uses her words to explain why she refuses to bury her brothers body after he has been killed by Creon, the ruler of Thebes (Bushnell, 2019). She tells Creon she will not obey his law because it goes against everything she believes in justice, family ties, and loyalty to her uncle Polynices.

Antigone also uses her words to explain why one person should not be allowed to make decisions for everyone else. It illustrates how women should be able to make decisions for themselves without having someone else make them for them. It also shows how women can gain respect from men if they stand up for themselves and their beliefs instead of backing down from them when faced with threats from males who think they are superior beings just because they are men.

Overall, the documentary aims to challenge the overarching assumption that women are more critical than men, shifting the focus away from females to examine gender roles in society. The influences of feminism throughout Greece helped trigger change for modern-day gender equality, which ancient Greek texts such as Antigone by Sophocles have documented (Bushnell, 2019). The film explores how Creon exiled Antigone because she challenged his authority (Bushnell, 2019). Through this process, one can see how Creon fails to fully recognize her as an essential character, allowing Sophocles to illustrate issues of gender inequality contrary to conventional norms at the time.

Critical Analysis

In the documentary, the filmmaker explores the theme of female authority in a modern setting by examining how women are treated as they attempt to assert themselves in their daily lives. It can place the idea of female authority within a modern context and demonstrate that it is still a relevant problem. It is not just because it has been around for thousands of years but because it continues to be an issue today (Filmzie, 2018). The film is a powerful piece of art that uses documentary filmmaking techniques to bring these stories to life. It also addresses one of the more significant issues raised in Antigone (by Sophocles), which is how female authority is often framed as a rebellion against the patriarchy (Mahler, 2018). These young women are fighting back against a law that men in power have imposed. Therefore, they are rebelling against male authority by asserting their right to self-determination over their bodies.

This connection between We Are Not Princesses and Antigone highlights how both works deal with female agency and power within an oppressive system. In both cases, female characters attempt to assert themselves as leaders within their society (Mahler, 2018). However, they must do so despite being oppressed by forces outside themselvesforces that attempt to constrain them from doing so. In Antigone, Creon is faced with a difficult decision: whether or not to allow his nieces body to be buried next to her husbands, as she wishes (Bushnell, 2019). Creon decides that her wishes should not be respected and that she should instead be buried outside the city without a proper burial. Creons sister who is Antigones mother, Eurydice, is upset that she hangs herself rather than live under such oppression.

The documentary takes a similar approach to this issue by examining how women are treated when they take up leadership positions in society and how they are punished if they do not conform to societys expectations of them. One woman has been raped, and another woman whose son was murdered by police officers after being suspected of selling drugs (Le Guern-Camara, 2019). Both women have turned their lives upside-down by forces beyond their control that left them powerless over their destinies. In both cases, these women are fighting for justice for themselves or others who have been wronged by systems designed to protect those in power.

Conclusion

The documentary reframed and recontextualized the central message of Antigone. Rather than being an individual tragedy, the stories of families from various countries highlighted how the issue of female authority is universal and insidious. It looks at how society will often portray its female citizens in submissive roles and puts them in circumstances where they cannot display authoritative power over the men around them. Throughout the film, the filmmakers attempt to illustrate the connection between the oppression of women in modern society and that seen in ancient societies. The film is provocative about how such tales can still be read as examples of female dominance.

Overall, the filmmakers demonstrate that the cultural construction of femininity and its overvaluing by women themselves can be a massive distraction from righting the many wrongs in our world. Classical texts like Antigone can help to understand why and how this is, but people can only move forward when we acknowledge these problems. In that spirit, then, one could think that We are not princesses could be one tool that would allow us to refocus and start to fix some of the pervasive injustices for which we, as women, have constantly been responsible.

References

Bushnell, R. W. (2019). Prophesying tragedy: Sign and voice in Sophocles Theban plays. Cornell University Press.

Filmzie. (2018). We Are Not Princesses (Video). YouTube. Web.

Le Guern-Camara, G. (2019). Princesses in Wondertales: From Traditional Representations to Contemporary Reappropriations. Sociopoétiques, 4. Web.

Mahler, G. S. (2018). The Arab-Israeli conflict: An introduction and documentary reader. Routledge.