The movies Salt of the Earth and The Battle of Algiers - Essay Example

Film Portrait of Teresa, Salt of the Earth, Battle of Algiers The movies Salt of the Earth and The Battle of Algiers depict a very prominent role for women in matters concerning revolutions which were traditionally held and led by men. The fact that women, in the movies are given a prominent role in an age where such roles were rare for them is a testament of the fight for the rights of women in the society. Both of these films are based in a setting that is very revolutionary, as individuals in these societies are working towards fighting for their rights against groups of people or states which dominate or exploit them. The strength of the women depicted in these films can only be said to be admirable because it shows that it is not only men who have the fortitude or capability of fighting for what they know to be their rights. It can be said that while women have increasingly taken up an active role in the societies that are depicted in the films, the bias and segregation against them is still an ongoing process, which need to be addressed. The roles that women lay in these films shows that they are an important part of the society, because they not only bring within it a different view of things, but they also bring the diversity needed to ensure that revolutions or social movements are successful. The films show that despite the fact that the men, who dominate the society, have denied these women the opportunity to take up their rightful position in society is quite unfortunate and that such discrimination should be remedied, to ensure that there is equality within the society. The films being analyzed provide a clear picture of how women are treated not only in the society as a whole but also in their personal lives as well. It is a fact that the films address instances concerning the gender differences and bias against women that take place within the society, and because of what can only be perceived as the men’s emotional distance, there seems to be nothing that is being done by the men, in the societies depicted, to remedy this situation. The films therefore show that the matter of the discrimination against women in their respective societies should be addressed because this is the only way through which the issues involved can be understood and addressed (Nunes 916). The films which have been analyzed provide a small picture of the biases that women underwent in the society and one would state that the issues that these films address are only some of the cases that existed in the societies depicted and still continue to do so today. It is most likely that future research will make more revelations concerning the treatment of women in the societies, depicted in both Salt of the Earth and The Battle of Algiers, to demonstrate the prominent roles that these women played in the social movements of the said societies. These films seem to have been developed in part with the intention of sparking a movement towards a change in the attitudes that put women in such different situations from their male counterparts. In addition, it can be said that these films seem to be a challenge to the men who view them to take up the responsibility of showing more concern and consideration towards the women in their lives. It can further be said that the men in society should stop using women in their societies merely for the sake of sexual fulfillment, and should instead treat them with the respect that they deserve, since they are equal participants in the development of their societies. The films being analysed depict societies dominated by men and this has created a situation where women are not treated as equals and are instead relegated to the background (Pfaelzer 120). In the films, it can be seen that women, have yet to establish themselves well within the society to ensure that they excel on an equal basis as their male counterparts. Instead, women face many challenges in order to find success in an environment which can only be considered to be extremely hostile to them. While the above can be said to be the case, in Salt of the Earth, the main female protagonist, Esperanza, is at first reluctant to get involved in the strike because she feels that it is not her place to do so. The women depicted in The Battle of Algiers, on the other hand, however, are seen to be active participants in the Algerian fight for independence, even going as far as planting bombs in cafes as a means of making political statements (Haspel 33). These films, shown at a time when women were considered to be second class members of the society, show the need to involve women in the male dominated society. In fact, the message that they seem to give is that more still needs to be done to ensure that even more women are interested in taking an active role in the society, and that once they do; they are able to get fair treatment from their male counterparts. It is seen in these films that women, while at first reluctant, end up taking leadership roles in the revolutions which take place. These moves seem to ensure that the voice of women is heard in their societies and this is seen to provide them with the opportunity for further advancement. Furthermore, in these films, it is seen that the means through which women fight for their rightful place in their respective societies is through their active participation in the revolutions, battles, and strikes which were traditionally dominated by the men. The reasons why the women in the films, especially Salt of the Earth, seem to be in the background of any mass action is based on many obstacles which they have to face on a daily basis, and these include unconscious stereotypes, inflexible work structures, sexual harassment among others. The active role that women play in these films can be considered to be one of the most effective means of showing the important role that women play in the society. It can also be considered to be a means through which the society can take a closer look at the way through which women, as important participants in matters affecting the society, have proven their right to be treated as equals to men. The films seem to have a common theme because they seem to be aimed at making the society aware of the role of women, and as a result enable the reversal of the injustices which have been caused by the centuries-old discrimination against women. The abovementioned films were received very negatively especially in the societies which were depicted as being the oppressors, in this case, the United States and France, and this ensured that they did not receive a wide viewership. Because of this negative reception, the legacy of the discrimination of women still lives on and this is despite those gains which were made through the involvement of women in active public life. The perspective of the filmmakers on the women of the societies they depict can be said to be one that is aware of the advantages that these women in their societies. These films work towards showing how the women within them fight against the prevailing circumstances in their societies to ensure that they are at the forefront of the fight for social justice, alongside their male counterparts (Parker 62). While this may have been the case during the eras depicted in the films, it is still a fact that women today have to struggle to get the opportunities that men normally take for granted. The opportunities available for women, who were previously excluded, remain very few. It has been seen that women are not as likely to get employment as men and this is despite the fact of the presence of laws protecting them from such discrimination. Not only is the unemployment rate higher among women when compared to men, it is a fact that women earn much less than what their male counterparts earn. The fact that women in the modern world are still discriminated against in many aspects of life, including leadership, goes against what the films being analyzed stand for. The is because while women in these films seem to stand by their beliefs and go to incredible lengths to achieve these beliefs, there is very little evidence to show that the modern woman is faring any better. The participation of women in these films, especially in the Battle of Algiers, is a realistic, look at the role of women in politics as seen in the Algerian rebellion in the face of French occupation. The fact that women in this film are capable of standing up for their beliefs is a lesson which can be learned and carried out by the women of the modern age in order to achieve their rightful place in the society. Works Cited Haspel, Paul. "Algeria Revisited: Opposing Commanders as Warring Doubles in the Battle of Algiers." Journal of Film and Video 58.3 (2006): 33-42. Nunes, Charlotte. "In the Name of National Security: Torture and Imperialist Ideology in Sheridan's in the Name of the Father and Jordan's Breakfast on Pluto." Human Rights Quarterly 31.4 (2009): 916-33. Parker, Mark. "The Battle of Algiers (La Battaglia Di Algeri)." Film Quarterly 60.4 (2007): 62-6. Pfaelzer, Jean. "Salt of the Earth: Women, Class, and the Utopian Imagination." Legacy 16.1 (1999): 120. Read More