How Social, Historical, Cultural and Organizational Contexts Affect Form in Movies - Essay Example

? How Social, Historical, Cultural and Organizational Contexts Affect Form in Movies Full Film is an interesting manner of telling a story because it reflects several literary forms all at the same time. Storytelling becomes easier because the role-players are viewed just like on a stage play. However, with the help film gets from technological advancements, the process is made a lot easier, presenting a story which reflects several settings, periods and characters. Several stories could also be linked together to form a complicated story branching to several characters, making a story more interesting. However, what could perhaps be most important are the different contexts revealed in the film especially with how they affect the form used in the movie. Therefore, this paper will focus primarily on how context influences cinema form specifically in the movie, “The Godfather II”. “The Godfather II” is a film about a young Italian boy, Corleone, who lost his whole family to the heinous acts committed by the lords in his hometown in Sicily. It reflects how he has gone to America and formed a family of his own, striving to survive amidst the difficulties he encountered. He then learned about his own people who are taking advantage of their less fortunate countrymen. Therefore, he courageously got involved with illegal activities for him to gain the power and wealth he needed to help his own people. As the years went by, his family grew as well as his wealth and circle of acquaintances. He helped the poor but he also used them to his business’ advantage. He became a powerful don overseeing the drug business which started among five families. Nevertheless, there arose misunderstandings and want for power and position among the families which actually started within the inner circles of the don’s family. The story then revolves around the don’s family and their struggles as they strove to keep the business intact and progressing. When the don’s life was put in danger, his son, Michael, who once was not interested in the family’s illegal business had to decide to take his father’s place. The story then unfolds how his life was greatly affected by this decision as he became the next godfather (The Godfather II, 1974). The aforementioned movie reveals its social, historical, cultural and organizational contexts and these different contexts affect several aspects of movie form. As it is believed by experts that context determines meaning (Schlesinger 2012), the presentation of films through form is greatly influenced. Firstly, since the setting of the story is in America and most of the characters are Italian, the social context had to be further expanded by presenting a chronological presentation of the story. As Speidel says, “the most conspicuous way that the plot shapes how the story is told is in terms of its chronology” (2006). Although there were times when past events were revealed as flashbacks, the telling of the story still follows a sequential form. This is seen as an essential technique because it makes viewers understand further what transpires in the movie. Furthermore, when Michael killed their suspected rival who has endangered his father’s life, he had to flee to Italy for refuge. Therefore, the flashback really was necessary to explain how the first godfather got to America and also to show where he came from. As mentioned earlier though, even if there were flashbacks in the movie, the story still followed a chronological order which was easy to follow. Another structure which social context affects in the story is the storyteller’s perspective. Since the social context involves various characters and settings, a third person narrator was needed. Furthermore, the storyteller is a limited omniscient, knowing just some of the thoughts of the main characters. This is presented through the thoughts of the main characters. For instance, when don Corleone was in a state of reminiscing, he recollects how his family had been killed in his hometown and how he then escaped death. It was shown through flashback that the boy, who was spared of his life, was helped by a family who hid him and helped him run away to America. It was also through the character’s recollection that the events of the don’s early life in America were revealed. A similar method is used with the character of the other main character who is Michael. More details of what have transpired in his mind during the time his first wife was killed were also shown through flashbacks. In addition to the omniscient narrator, a third person storyteller is also needed because of the scope of characters being presented. Since the story revolves around the lives of the family of don Corleone and his son who was to be the next don, a third person narrator is necessary. A first or second person teller would not have sufficed because the story is not just about one person. Although the tale is about a family’s quest in the Mafia world, there are several characters involved in the narration that were important in portraying a well-crafted story that presents various settings. This then makes a first or second person storyteller incapable to present. The world of Mafia involves several groups of people and therefore the story also necessitates a number of settings in the presentation of the story. As a result, the theme or concept of the film is broadened to the general experiences of the Mafia people even though the story revolves around two main characters, don Corleone and his son, Michael. Since the movie aims to present the dramatic lives of the two characters, it was important for the narrator to show their culture, family and environment. No matter where the story was set and regardless who the characters were presented in the story, the concept about the Mafia was always present in every scene. When Michael fled to Italy, the narrator took the audience to the place where the story was then set. Although the setting was quite remote and quiet, the life of Mafia people did not leave the character alone. The dangers he faced were portrayed in the film. Michael might have experienced his glory days just like ordinary people do however, as a member of a dangerous organization; his life was always vulnerable even in such a remote place. The critical conditions of the Mafia have been further exposed when his first wife died from the bomb that was intended to kill Michael. Although the setting was changed from the obviously dangerous cities in America to the peaceful and rural Sicilian community, danger was still brought into the place in order to bring about the idea that threat in the Mafia has an ominous presence. Although the jeopardous events in the scenes made in Italy were not as harsh as those made in the United States, the portrayals still show the perilous lives of people involved in organized crimes such as Michael’s. His scenes speak of the inescapable formidable circumstances in a criminal’s life regardless of the innocence of the people who will actually suffer the consequences of one’s actions. Similarly, the historical context in the film is presented just like the social context. The chronological structure reflects the history of the family and their business. When don Corleone was thinking about his past, the narrator brings the audience back to Italy and shows how old-fashioned the people were living then. It also shows the socio-economic status of the family and the people around them. In a way, the flashback reveals the origin of the Mafia, dating back even before the Italian boy went to America. This implies that the organized crime has its origins in Italy which went to America through the waves of migrants who sought to find a better life in the country. The historical context also required the narrator to be third person because it brings the audience to three different ages. One of the important era that needed to be portrayed in the movie is the current state of the family, the past life of don Corleone in Italy and the life of Michael spent in modern Italy. The life of the young Corleone shows a lot of differences in the setting of Italy. In the older Corleone’s life in Italy, most of the characters were peasants who lived a simple life. Only the rich and powerful have been portrayed to have better lives with better houses and clothing. The town then was small but dangerous because of the reign of organized criminals. When Corleone went back to his hometown to avenge his family’s death, the town showed some improvements, with modern houses and vibrant hills. This was in contrast to the dry and untilled lands shown during the don’s childhood which reflected how abused the people have been then. On the other hand, when Michael went to his father’s hometown to hide from his enemies in America, the place was even more beautiful which shows that there have been a lot of changes in the place. Organized crimes may still have reigned in the place as implied by the present danger however; the people have safer and more peaceful lives in contrast to the time when Corleone was young. The aforementioned settings in the story suggest authenticity with the content and style of the set being dictated by what is appropriate to the story’s time and place (Speidel 2006). The historical context also affects the theme in a similar fashion. As mentioned earlier, the idea of presenting the dangerous world of Mafia is maintained in all the different settings used in the movie. Regardless of the period, character and place represented in the scenes, the concept of a dangerous life is evident. In relation to the historical context, cultural context is also reflected in the movie. From the start of the story, the wedding of the don’s only daughter is celebrated in America but it shows the culture of the people involved. The songs played were Italian and the scenes reflect the unique way Italians celebrate weddings. Even though most of the characters lived in America for quite a time, their costumes reflect their cultural heritage. Costumes may be used to indicate to us information about the personality or status of the character (Speidel 2006) as well. In the movie, the godfather and his family are well-dressed, not only reflecting the Sicilian culture but also portraying their high socio-economic status. Other visitors such as the people who went to seek the godfather’s help obviously showed their status in the community as well. The movie also displays the role of a mother in Italian culture, supporting the husband and making sure that family ties are closely knit. In the absence of the don who was busy even during his own daughter’s wedding, the mother took responsibility in accommodating all the visitors and making sure that the occasion went well. She was shown to be enjoying the feast but she also portrayed the hopeful mother who looked forward to the family member being completed at such a special occasion. In addition, the closeness of Italian family members is shown in the movie. The importance of this perhaps made the narrator structure the telling of the story in a chronological form so that the changes in settings and cultures will fit the parts of the story being told. The cultural context influenced the narrator’s point of view in a manner that the characters are able to perform their own roles effectively as needed in the storytelling. In the wedding scene mentioned earlier, the mother is oftentimes shown to be looking out for the arrival of her son, Michael. Although the narrator did not show what was going on in the mind of the woman as it reflects that the narrator is a limited omniscient, the actions show her anxious expectations. The movie implies that crime and danger is already a part of Italian life. Most of the characters show that one way or another, they are involved in dangerous activities such as illegal gun handling and drug dealing. However, some are bent to become abusive, demanding power over other people while others are satisfied in simply helping their family and their companions to survive life and give their families better lives. The latter kind of life was what don Corleone chose to live and it is shown in his life that he was a good and faithful helper to those who were good to him but he could also be cruel to the people who put the family in danger even if that person is his own flesh and blood. This is shown with his non-action when his rather hot-tempered son was killed even though he suspected that it was his favored son, Michael who was involved in the killing. This is the organized crime’s culture. Bloodlines are important but if they endanger the family and the business, they would rather perish than bring embarrassment to the family. The organizational context in the film also calls for a chronological order of delivering the story. As the leader of the five families composing the specific Italian organized crime, the aging don Corleone’s sons are seen to be the most probable prospects to take his place. Henceforth, the story had to be told in a chronological order for the audience to be able to understand how the first son who was expected to take the don’s seat was not the one who became the next don. Although the eldest son was raised and groomed to follow in his father’s footsteps, he proved to be an ineffective man because he was extremely volatile, a characteristic that was seen to easily expose the family to more threats than necessary. Moreover, viewers also have to understand how a reluctant son finally decided to take the risky job of being a godfather although he initially despised the family’s business. The chronological structure is considered to be the most effective way of telling the story to make things clear to the viewers. Furthermore, the roles and responsibilities of the other members of the family and the organization are portrayed effectively in the chronological turn of events. The organizational context also demands the need to portray two different generations. Therefore, the narrator needs to be a third person who will present in both generations even in the absence of one of the main characters. For instance, when don Corleone’s early life was portrayed, Michael was not there and similarly, when the old don died, he was not present anymore in the most current events. Henceforth, if the narration was done by either of the two main characters, the story would have been limited to each character’s lifespan. Thus, the best narrator of the story is a third person. The organizational context also revealed who would be the mastermind of the criminal activities to be performed. As expected, the godfather is supposed to be informed about all the happenings in the organization, being the leader of the group. Although he may get help from his subordinates about the planning of what should happen, it is understood that in the group, he holds the final decision. When there are activities that are not known to him, investigations happen and the people involved become suspects of rebellious acts. Therefore, crimes and other threats arise again as the theme of the story. In conclusion, it has been seen how the social, historical, cultural and organizational context have affected the structure, perspective and theme of the story in the film, “The Godfather II”. As such contexts determine meaning; they have influenced the form used in the movie. Consequently, the movie was portrayed fulfilling its objectives of presenting the lifestyles of organized criminals. References The Godfather II. 1974 [DVD] Francis Ford Coppola. USA: Paramount Pictures. Schlesinger, Arthur M., Jr., 2012, “Film and History’s Philosophy viewed 14 March, 2013 from http://www.filmandhistory.org/about/Philosophy.php Speidel, Suzanne, 2006, Film Form and Narrative, viewed 13 March, 2013 from http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415409285/about/sample.pdf Read More