POSTMODERNISM
Research Part 1
“Postmodernism is the term used to describe the use of a late 20th century style and
concept in the arts, architecture, and criticism, which represents a departure from
modernism and is characterized by the self-conscious use of earlier styles and
conventions, a mixing of different artistic styles and media, and a general distrust of
theories.”
Post-Modern Media Texts
Post modernity through the use of Film implies significantly a hyper-reality culture of the present
time of society. Furthermore, producers of experimental films use existing media texts from
other art forms e.g. magazines, music etc. changing an original slightly to the construction of
our culture more suitably.
Postmodernism allows producers to challenge conventions, forms and ideologies of existing
genres, therefore, doesn’t particularly fit into any genre due to the range of art forms they
include. In addition, producers may use images to imply something about society subconsciously through film production, for example – Banksy and sociologist Strinati’s fact about
the Mona Lisa being re-produced several times in different ways by Andy Warhol through pop
art, taking away its authenticity. In the modern day world, no longer are the things you see in
e.g. museums, in the cinemas as authentic as you may believe,
Both of these images to the left
both reflect a lot about society
through their use of
postmodernism – in particular,
the Banksy photo. The idea could
potentially be used through films
to describe the acceptance of gay
marriage in society, and how our
culture has become equalised.
Furthermore, now-a-days we now
see more gay people and witness
gay relationships as an audience
in film, so this image of Banksy
truly reflects this indication.
Challenging Meta-Narratives
An aspect in Post-Modern media includes the
concept of “Challenging Meta-Narratives”.
This means producers challenge the main
ideologies in society. The term was brought
into prominence by Jean-François Lyotard in
1984. These narratives question whether
modern progress is for the “good” of society,
a critique of society/ mass production.
Additionally, these narrative themes can often
challenge conventional film narratives where
they’re anti heroes that have unclear
representations and furthermore, a female
character may be the main character and see
as strong, rather than there be a male
dominant figure e.g. Salt, where Angelina Joli
is our main character. Lastly, included in this
aspect are non-linear narratives (disruption
of the chronology of the three act structure
e.g. Kill Bill, alternatively anti narratives
which include disruptions by using freeze
frames and slow motion – Sherlock Holmes
in fight, boxing scene, and finally, mixing the
genres in films to create new hybrids.
Post-Modern
Aspects
Intertextuality and Pastiche
To use Pastiche or Intertextuality means to
offer updated ideas from the origin of old
ideas. The idea of relating to other media
texts is for effect to it’s audiences, creating a
hybrid genre. The notion was first introduced
by Julia Kristeva, who argued against the
concept of a text as an isolated entity which
operates in a self-contained manner that
states that “any text is the absorption and
transformation of another”. Some texts do
refer directly to another, like for example,
remakes of The Simpson's parody’s, reflecting
our society more presently. By referring to
other media texts, it does give audiences
many pleasures; it reminds us we are in a
mediated reality, relating to the dominant
realist tradition which focuses on persuading
the audience to believe in the on-going reality
of the narrative.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWKFkNFsGBw
Hyper Reality
Basically, Hyper Reality through media texts is
a hyped up, over the top, and occasionally
unrealistic representation of our modern day
culture, which comes across as a constructed
piece (breaking the 4th wall ideology (Meta
Reference) – e.g. Alfie – talking to the audience
through the camera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=B0FZhLeHy7A). This concept makes
audiences aware of alternative realities that
challenge our ideas. They have High Art Styles
which are film techniques that challenge
conventional ideas. Simulacra which allows
challenging themes and representations to be
explored. The media dominate our perception
of the outside world – representing a world that
is more real than which we can experience
individually (which intertextuality and pastiche
is often used for). Another example is the
square in “Pulp Fiction” most recogniseable to
viewers for it’s sense of being un real.
http://curnblog.com/2014/04/10/br
eaking-fourth-wall-alfie-wolfwall-street/
This relates to HYPER REALITY of
the Meta Reference.
Angelina Joli – Salt. I have used this example as it
strongly supports an aspect of Post Modernism
that experimental films, that don’t fall into any
particular genre due to the INTERTEXTUALITY
that they include. This film’s producer challenges
the conventions of the character representations of
the narrative of not having a macho male as the
dominant, main character, however using a female
character that has similar characteristics of the
male character we would already have been
familiar with. As we can see by the photo, not only
does it show by the focus and determination
through her eyes that she is a strong, powerful
character, but the anti narrative used around it,
with the use of freeze frames, slow/fast motion of
a NON-LINEAR narrative. This is very Post
Modern.
EXAMPLES
The photo above is a PARODY from Family Guy of Star
Wars. As you can see, the old idea have been updated
by new modern day popular texts. Giving huge effect to
its audience, it reflects that our society is hugely
mediated.
Quentin Torentino is one of the
most well known producers for
his use of post modernity in his
experimental film making. His
film “Kill Bill” not only has a
CHALLENGING METANARRATIVE of having dominant
female heroes/ characters, but
he plays homage to other films,
and includes all types of different
genres like crime, western,
martial arts, thriller, comedy
aspects throughout the film to its
audience. It also has a non-linear
narrative with its slow motion and
freeze framing, reinforcing the
hyper reality of post-modern
films.
“I steal from every single
movie ever made. If
people don’t like that,
then don’t go and see it.
Alright? I steal from
everything. Great artists
steal, they don’t do
homages.” Quentin
Torentino.