CAMBA, Meeko Angela R.

Comm 130 Final Paper Topics

1. How the X-Men Killed the Revolution: A Class Analysis of the Film X-Men, Days of Future
Past
Synopsis: A state-sponsored scientist develops a weapon (the Sentinels) to hunt down and kill
mutants, whom they believe pose a threat to humankind. As the mutants come together to protect
their existence, they debate amongst themselves whether or not revolution is the key to their
survival.
Thesis Statement: The film subtly conditions its audience to reject revolutionary tendencies in
addressing issues of class, and affirms the states oppressive authority by favoring reform.
Objectives:
a. To show the class dynamics presented in the film based on Karl Marxs theory on the
Political Economy and class struggle
b. To show the films bias towards the prevalence of the status quo and in effect
demonizes revolutionary thought
c. To show how the film romanticizes the class struggle
d. To relate and compare the film to prevalent red tagging in local media to discredit
class issues
Theoretical Lens: Marxism; Culture Industry by Adorno and Horkheimer
Sources:
1. Camolli, J.L. and Narboni, J. (1999). Cinema/Ideology/Criticism from Film Theory
and Criticism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
2. Horkheimer, M. and Adorno, T. (2001). The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as
Mass Deception from V. Leitch, W. Cain, L. Finke, and B. Johnson (Eds.). The
Northon Anthology: Theory and Criticism. London: W.W. Norton and Company,
1220-1241.
3. Marx

2. The Reduction of Feminist and Class Struggles in Mae Cruzs Everyday, I Love You

Synopsis: A workaholic TV producer finds himself at the verge of promotion in the condition of
successfully improving the ratings of one of his stations regional office. In the process, he meets and
hires a sweet typical provincial girl to host his travel program. The girl accepts, needing financial
assistance to pay-off hospital debt of her boyfriend who was in a year-long coma. Having spent more
time together, the girl realizes she had more feelings for the producer than for her boyfriend, and the
two eventually end up together.
Thesis Statement: Everyday, I Love You is a sell-out film created to feed the fantasies of LizQuen
fans at the expense of reinforcing and normalizing the patriarchal perception and social inequalities of
Philippine society.
Objectives:
a. To identify the class representation employed in the film through Karl Marxs Political
Economy and commodification of labor
b. To relate the dynamics of Audrey and Tristans patriarchal relationship to that perceived by
Filipinos
c. To critique the weak and submissive depiction of women as represented by Audreys
character
d. To critique the medias role in belittling issues of class and gender in exchange for profit
through Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimers theory on the Culture Industry
Theoretical Lens: Marxist; Feminist; Culture Industry by Adorno and Horkheimer
Sources:
1. Kaplan, E. A. (2000). Feminism and film. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
2. Horkheimer, M. and Adorno, T. (2001). The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass
Deception from V. Leitch, W. Cain, L. Finke, and B. Johnson (Eds.). The Northon
Anthology: Theory and Criticism. London: W.W. Norton and Company, 1220-1241.
3. Marx