Debate: Impact on society of movies

For thousands of years and even today, literature has been instrumental in providing the material
for reflection on what it means to be human. Ever since the Lumiere brothers first exhibited the
craft of film making, films became a visual alternative. In the early years films were extremely
primitive by todays standards, but were thrilling just the same. Suddenly, the world began to see
itself. The visuals of the films, the movement of the films opened up the world on so many levels
that it is impossible for us to comprehend today. People were awed and infatuated by it. It must
have been like lifting a veil on the entire world. The New-York evening world states: For the
first time in the history of the world it is possible to see what a kiss looks like."
Early decades of the film industry produced movies that reflected aspects of the society that were
beautiful and ugly, traditional and progressive. It allowed society to see themselves as they
actually appeared. Early films showed women as the society said they were. The way women
behaved and contributed, and this contribution as society put it, was restricted to making babies
and attending to needs of husband, was portrayed through the camera. Regrettably, women too
believed this to be true.
For some time now there is a steady growth in the populous of filmmakers that took the liberty to
open up the issues of racism, terrorism, homosexuality, government and religion on a global
stage. Filmmakers are convinced that their serious and somber movies are not just for
entertainment or art, but play a role in changing peoples thinking, not to say in some cases their
lives. Ang Lee, director of The life of Pi, strongly believes that movies have power to change
thinking process of people at both conscious and sub-conscious level. Is there really such a power
in movies that can change the way masses think or is it just a gimmick of filmmakers?
Apparently, not everyone is humming the same tune and many remain skeptical about the role of
movies in creating a meaningful and lasting social change. Many hold opinion that films are but
canvas of decadence, signified by whisky, bikini, lust and lack of respect for womanhood.
Robert Redford an actor, producer and director, expressed his criticism saying: "I don't know how
much films actually impact social movements. Fashion, perhaps?. Many argue that movies are
made for the entertainment of wider audiences with an intention to make profit, not specifically
for the societal benefit. So it is reasonable to assume that movies rarely have any worthwhile
impact on society.
A survey by Pew Research Center finds some evidence of the role of US movies, music and TV
shows in displacing the domestic customs in Canada, Britain, France and Germany.

Survey results show that people in these countries feel that American style of living is spreading
and replacing their own traditional way of life. The role of movies and music in changing the
customs of the society is further evinced from the result that substantial numbers of same

respondents like the movies and music being imported from United States. The researchers
further conclude that liberalization of trade in audio/video services would indeed catalyze cultural
shift. Nevertheless the research like these still cannot conclusively measure the causal impact of
movies on the persons actions. As it is impossible to establish a concrete relationship between
what people see in films and then set out to do in their lives.
To analyze the impact of cinema, one must first understand its core. In its true essence, movies
are but stories, which originate from humans within a society and via stories humans reinforce
societal norms of how to communicate and act towards one another, what is permissible and what
is taboo. Because movies can elicit strong emotional response, they are powerful. They can
persuade masses and change prevalent attitude in society, they have with good and bad results.
True that Hollywood and Bollywood have run out of compelling meaning full stories. But every
now and then, from different parts of the world, few courageous filmmakers dish out a
masterpiece that creates a ripple, which echoes through generations.
An example of India
To discuss the impact of cinema on Indian society at once begs a serious question: What is India?
Was it a fiction invented by British? Though the British had never ruled over more than sixty
percent of Indian sub-continent. It was a dream that everyone pursued, until it became a reality
and India came into existence in 1947.
Prime Minister Nehru once said during a speech . The influence in India of films is greater
than newspapers and books combined.. Indian cinema played an instrumental role in the nations
unifying mission. A sense of unity is obtained from language, education, constitution, one
monetary currency, enforcement of unified system of law and creation of national imaginary. It is
the creation of national imaginary that is to a great extent sustained by the visionary nature of
Indian cinema. It appeals to the underprivileged by building faith in the nations plan of collective
welfare and repression of cultural and economic differences, as the nation positions itself towards
representing the common unity and interests of all groups.
It would be completely absurd to address Indian films as presenting authentic portrayal of
Indian life, for lavish songs, dance routines and exotic settings are hardly familiar everyday
surroundings. May be because of this charade, literary scholars, historians, political theorists,
anthropologists and sociologists have neglected the impact of cinema in their research studies.
Cinemas contribution to society is highly undervalued. We often overlook that cinema, in subtle
ways, does mirror social history and the role of gender, sex, class, caste, and religion in shaping
our society. The films become the canvas of sand on which different tensions and dissensions
leave their trace. At times plot of the films focus on these tensions openly, acknowledging them as
problems within the nation. At other times these tensions are repressed in the shadows or remain
in margins, and have to be retrieved in spite of the dominant narrative.
Hindu-Muslim, Peasant-Landlord, Man-Woman, Caste-Religion, Tradition-Modern, GovernmentNaxalites, and rich-poor differences have plagued India since post-colonial era. In tracking these
differences it is interesting to see how these issues are accommodated, contended and
reconstituted with the central narrative.
In the formula films, hero becomes an advocator, a friend and a sympathizer for the nation. Hurt
by the nations miseries and committed to rid the nation of its predicament, the hero tackles the
nations enemy, resolves the disputes and stops that one menacing threat disintegration. He
becomes the epitome of the ideal nationalist spirit. On the other hand, villain, an indispensable
variable in the formula film, embodies the nations problems.. While in many unconventional
films the inward-looking reflection helps to drive home the point. Here, hero becomes the

victim of divisions plaguing the society. Driven to desperation and betrayed by the justice of
society, he becomes an outlaw, giving birth to the role of anti-hero. More often than not the role
of hero-turned-antihero dies towards the end. But before his inevitable death, he reveals to the
society its vices and fractures in its self-build system. The trouble the hero struggles
against in these films contains a message about the state of the nation and
its problems. Movie like Mission Kashmir, Sarhad, Bombay used this plot to send a message
across the Hindu audience that Muslims are not to be blamed and stereotyped for the atrocities
committed by few terrorists organizations. These plots of hero and villain aptly
simulate the contemporary debates and thoughts about what troubles the
nation. It is due to these simulations and reflections uneducated masses
discover the true problems and offer a glimmer of change in society.
With regards to social issues of women such prostitution, ostracizing of
widows, female feticide, subjugation of women in patriarchal society, and
dowry burdens. Indian cinema has done a commendable job of depicting
these shameful realities and injustices. But these are deep rooted and
profoundly tangled issues. The fanciful images and ideas of few 3 hours
Bollywood films are clearly not enough. Repeated education efforts by formal
and informal institution in conjunction with selfless sincerity from film studios
to portray woman with equal rights will prove instrumental in eradicating
these vices. Until the people see the ugly consequences emanating from their
traditional beliefs, these problems will continue unabated.
Cinema Building economic and social capital in the country
A stalwart of the film industry, Raj Kapoor, once called popular films a mix of commerce with
art. Arguably, it is Bollywood that stimulated various cultural driven phenomena in India,
including Valentines day, Karva Chauth and Dandiya, opening up the market for new
cultural merchandises and turning them into cultural treasures. A major contribution for
increasing the market share of Greeting card industry came from Bollywood movies of 1990s that
popularized the practice of exchanging greeting cards on festive and personal occasions.
Movies have become favorite pass time of audiences. People demand to know the names of actors
they like. Film actors find themselves hysterically celebrated all over the Indian world, not to say
worshipped like Gods. The fashion season is revitalized with every new blockbuster. The bald
mean look of Amir khan in Ghazni or the swiveling and crescent middle-part hairstyle of
Salman Khan in Tere Naam spurred the plenitude of teenagers to imitate it, in the process
creating a market for fashion and garment industries of its own.
The impact of Indian cinema is also seen in the popularity of Indian actors and film-based
programs beyond the national boundaries. Ever since the annulment of ban on Hindi movies in
Pakistan in 1996, Bollywood has repeatedly broken box-office collection records. Last year, in
Pakistan, Dhoom 3 broke the record of highest gross receipts in the opening day and became
the possible contender of breaking all-time aggregate box-office receipts held by Chennai
Express.
Even the Indian diaspora located in far-flung places as Canada, UK and United States resonate
powerfully with it, as it some times become their only connection with the homeland.

Movies portray not just the contemporary society, but also where society has been. Of society, it
becomes a reflection of both present and past. It is this reflection that plays a trick on the minds
of people.
Of past, it awakens pride at timesat times it humiliates.
Of taboos, it voices the unvoiced at timesat times it shies away.
Of culture, it unveils the ugly at timesat times it flaunts.
At times it.
At times it inspires, at times it corrupts.
At times it deceives, at times it shocks, at times it flatters.
Always keeping the hope of better future alive, At time it intrigues the mind of ..

India: Mirror, mirror who is the most beautiful culture in the world.
Mirror: Indian culture