The Concept of Trauma in Born on the Fourth of July Film - Movie Review Example

Introduction Creating history and a new memory is one which is now associated with the use of media and trauma film. Different elements are used specifically to create an understanding of history and to associate a different type of social and cultural memory that is related to specific events. When looking at movies such as Born on the Fourth of July (1989), there are different representations that create a sense of traumatic memory. The depictions that are related to history in this film invent a new type of trauma that works with factual representation to create a social connection to the historical event. The reaction is one which builds an emotional response among viewers to associate specifically with different events in history. Forms and Genres for Creating History The concept of form and genre in trauma films for history is defined as the type or kind of film that is able to relate to a given culture. When one uses a specific form, it is able to associate with a specific identity or connection to those who are watching the film. The category of mainstream film is one which can be used to identify specific categories and events which have occurred and which many relate to. When relaying mainstream events within the genre of drama or trauma, there is the need to create a specific relationship to an event in which every individual is already aware of. The message of the historical event also has to link with concepts such as patriotism or the main identity of the culture, specifically which creates a level of appeal to the public. The experimental or avant – garde depictions; however, can move into events with a different form of trauma or replication of history that is more historical and aesthetically fitting to a given event. However, this attracts a different group of individuals who are interested in a different perspective to the film (Langford, 2005). Developing a New History and Memory The depiction of history as one which creates a sense of appeal to the crowds then leads into different types of spectatorship by viewers. As the spectacle stands out with different effects and aesthetics, there is the ability to create a different sense of history that is remembered by the audience. For instance spatial definitions that take place, such as longer perspectives or close up shots, create a direct relationship to the viewer. The spectator is then able to create a specific understanding of a given event. For instance, if there is an individual who was well – known in history, then personal and close shots with the use of space are given, all which define the characteristics of the individual. Other aspects which are associated with this include unique colors and components, such as visual intertextuality and linguistic reference. The application of the visual effects with the context is able to create both an audio and visual effect to the viewer which creates a stronger relationship to the traumatic events, characteristics and different components that are in history (Chouliaraki, 2006). The concepts which create the historical events that relate to personal memory can be seen in different components of Born on the Fourth of July. The aesthetics and camera shots with this include several close up shots of the main character, Ron as he moves through his childhood, listens to the speeches of John F. Kennedy and goes to Vietnam to fight in the war. The close up shots is able to create a direct relationship with the soldier and the difficulties which he has with the war. As the story continues with specific speeches about patriotism, there are relationships which continue to develop with Ron. The combination of text and the visual effects of seeing Ron’s reactions after becoming a veteran create a changing memory with the viewer, specifically because of the understanding of the trauma which has occurred from the war. The change in memory is one which is developed outside of the factual information of the Vietnam War and into a personal understanding that is created through the viewpoint of Ron and which associates with the trauma which is created through the Vietnam Veterans. The spectacle of Ron then creates the personal relationship with the viewer and changes the meaning of the Vietnam War, presidency of Kennedy and the relationship to the aftereffects of the war. Changing Boundaries of Personal and Cultural Memory Another concept which is associated with the war is based on the boundaries which are created in both terms of personal and cultural memory. When looking at historical events, there are specific associations with the factual information and what occurred during the time of different wars and events. These are portrayed through basic information of time periods, leaders of the changes and outcomes which occurred. From a historical perspective, there is the need to take out the sense of trauma and the way in which the war has related to different aspects of life. The alteration in this occurs when the trauma becomes linked to the historical events and creates a psychological response among viewers. Personal recollection changes when there is a strong association with the traumatic events which occur. If this happens through the use of media, then the cultural memory also begins to change, specifically which relates to the trauma of the event and the outcome from the main plot which is seen. Using the mainstream media to depict personal relationships to the main event then becomes a way to rebuild the boundaries and culture that are a part of the mainstream media (Walker, 2001). The concept of trauma recreating personal and cultural understanding of historical events can also be seen from Born on the Fourth of July. This specific movie was known to take a different perspective to the war and the events which occurred, specifically because of the social conscious which began to question the political and social affiliations with wars in other countries. The trends during this time were based on the desire to have a sense and association of history, factual information and detailed understanding of various events, specifically with the desire to recreate the traumas which many experienced. During the 1980s, there were several movies which came out about the Vietnam War. Born on the Fourth of July was known because of the perspective it took outside of creating war heroes, and instead questioning the traumas that the veterans went through. The audience was able to respond both by understanding the past movies, which were based on the victories of the area, as well as creating a different cultural and social relationship with this specific movie. The impact which it made changed the concept of the Vietnam War to one which had before forgotten the humanitarian aspects of wining the war because of political and patriotic attitudes (Digital History, 2010). The movie then became a main way to re-examine the realities of war and to break the boundaries of historical trends and events to show the trauma that may have happened. The importance of the approach to Born on the Fourth of July was from the concept of creating a different memory for those who held a certain belief or perspective about the war. The boundary which was broken first began with the factual information of the historical events from the war. This led into boundaries that emerged during this time period which were based on the patriotism of the war. The personal association which was created with this then changed the reality of the war through understanding the humanitarian aspect that was created through the movie. The main component was to change the idea of the war through altering the cultural values which were popular in society at the time. The culture was one which was before based on the concept of creating a sense of memory through patriotism. The personal relationship and beliefs changed when becoming associated with the personal relationship to Ron and the war as well as the after effects of being a Vietnam soldier. While the traumatic event had a historical basis, the perspective which was taken was specific to tapping into cultural values of the time and changing the main association with the Vietnam War (Radstone, 2001). Mediazation of Memory The ability to create specific reactions and perceptions with memory of historical events then leads into the media holding a specific power in creating memory of different events. This comes from the imagination of the different directors in their association with different films. The imagination is combined with some historical facts which are known to be a main part of the events which have occurred. Those who create media further this with a reconstruction of events, specifically which comes from the beliefs or main ideals in which the directors wish to convey. The media creates several fragments that are a part of history, combined with the story telling that is portrayed through the different films. The memory which is created is then based on a sense of mediazation, in which the story telling combines with the truth of specific situations to create a different perspective toward what is occurring (Burgoyne, 1997). This specific perspective can be seen with the techniques that are used with Born on the Fourth of July. The true events which are a part of the movie include the presidency of J.F.K, the decision to go to the Vietnam War, PTSD that the veterans faced and the speeches by Nixon. The turn of events; however, occurs with the mediazation that are based on these four facts of the movie. There is a personal and cultural relationship to each of the events, including the personal belief in J.F.K that led Ron to the marines. This is followed by the opposition to the Vietnam War, which causes Ron to change because of the paralysis that he is faced with. The trauma which occurs comes specifically from the imagination of the director, specifically with how Ron responds from the PTSD, such as through the fireworks at the fourth of July, as well as how he decides to become an activist against Nixon. Each of these events are based on creating a sense of trauma while allowing the spectator to tie into both the historical events and the imagination of the director for a different association with what has occurred both historically and from a creative perspective. Some of the questions which arise in terms of the imagination and portrayal come from the individual perspective of Ron which is taken through the movie. The historical events are partly accurate; however, the media is a fictional representation of what happens. The main concept that is used is to grab attention from the audience, specifically to have an emotional reaction to what has occurred as well as how this affects the psyche of those watching the movie. The main concept which is used is known as memoro – politics, specifically which creates a sense of memory that is linked to specific political events. The memories that are seen are based on the perspective of Ron and the memories of the Vietnam War which he has. However, the memory is one which is created specifically to add a sense of spectacle to what has happened while using the factual information in an imaginative way. The concept of traumatic memory from this perspective is one which is based on grabbing the attention of the audience while showing the emotional and psychological perspectives of politics, as opposed to the realities of what occurred. The mediazation of the memories then creates a controversy because of the interpretations of history, psychological responses which are included in the film and the cultural associations that are used with the spectators of the audience (Antze, Lambek, 1996). When looking at Born on the Fourth of July, it can be seen that the same spectacle is created through Ron. The scenes and memory which are a part of the movie are used to enhance the memories that are a part of the film. The memories are based on the application of PTSD that is experienced by Ron. While it is known that most Vietnam Veterans suffered from this, the depiction which is used through the different scenes is one which is used to create a humanitarian and psychological response. For instance, when Ron comes home from the war he isolates himself from his family and receives responses from everyone that he is not the same since he came home. The cliché which is used is one which is imagined and is a generalized depiction of what occurred. However, there is no direct knowledge of the responses which may have been given as well as the way in which different soldiers responded to the war. This is used specifically to create a media effect that builds an emotional and psychological response to the trauma which has occurred from some Vietnam Veterans. Building this type of suspense by combining facts with the imagination then creates a different association with the movie and the understanding of the historical and psychological events which occurred as a result. Conclusion The concept of creating memory through trauma and history is one which is used through the media. The creation of different films is one which uses specific techniques that are able to associate directly with the understanding of history. Most of the films which are created in relation to history are built on deciphering between different events which have occurred. This includes the creation of new memories through a modern understanding of what has happened. The modernization is inclusive of psychological and emotional responses to traumatic events as well as a sense of imagination to change the boundaries of history (Hayden, 1996). Instead of history remaining factual, techniques are used to create a personal and cultural relationship to a given event. The result is that the historical information becomes secondary and the use of media conveys a message that builds a spectacle from events that have occurred. References Antze, Paul, Michael Lambek. (1996). Tense Past: Cultural Essays in Trauma and Memory. New York: Routledge. Burgoyne, Robert. (1997). Film Nation: Hollywood Looks at U.S. History. New York: Routledge. Chouliaraki, Lilie. (2006). The Spectatorship of Suffering. London: Sage Publishing. Digital History. (2010). “The ‘New’ Hollywood.” Retrieved from: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/hollywood_1960s.cfm. Hayden White, ‘The Modernist Event’, in Vivian Sobchack (1996) (ed.) The Persistence of History: Cinema, Television and the Modern Event. Langford, Barry. (2005). Film Genre: Hollywood and Beyond. UK: Edinburgh University Press. Radstone, Susannah. (2001). “Trauma and Screen Studies: Opening the Debate.” Screen 42 (2), 188-193. Stone, Oliver. (1996). Born on the Fourth of July. California: Ixtlan. Walker, Janet. (2001). “Trauma Cinema: False Memories and True Experience.” Screen 42 (2), 211-216. Read More