Rachael penfold

Film and structuralism

Structuralism is a means of deconstructing texts. We do this by looking at linguistics, codes, and the meanings that derive from signs. We can only have signs when there are oppositional points of view, for instance, the red on a traffic light means nothing without the amber and the green.

Richard used the example of a cat, as a way of language relating to image. We understand the word cat and we understand it is an animal with four legs, whiskers and a tail, though the image conjured up by each person, the type of cat for instance, may vary from person to person.

Saussure explains this to be homogeneity and heterogeneity. ‘It is the Homogeneity of the structure that makes the heterogeneity of the performance possible’. (handout pg 74) When watching a film, language and image are the rules, the structure. Our own, heterogeneous, interpretations work with and inside those rules.

Post structuralism looks at the ‘gaps’ and the contradictions. This deconstruction is called Aporia.

Hollywood is the production line for high budget films, which in the nature of Americanization are publicised and made available to the rest of the world. During the seminar we were asked to decide on and feedback our favourite film, the majority of the class had chosen American films. This was just a small example of the impact America has on our culture and Britain.

Along these same lines, we spoke also of capitalism. These Hollywood films are funded by massive amounts of money. We could argue the transmission of certain ideologies, for instance, good overpowering evil, individualism prospering, i.e. happy endings is critical for the maintenance of a capitalist society. This type of story telling shapes our perception of what the world is like and keeps people from questioning the reality, because in front of us, on the big screen is ‘proof’ that this type of success is a reality and that it is possible for everybody.