Sterotype Movie Research

Patriarchy: 

Reinforces- Mulan reinforces this stereotype of patriarchy because it shows that a man rules over the land. It also shows that women were not allowed to go to war and fight and were seen to stay home and wait.  

Challenges- Hidden Figures highlights the challenging of patriarchy with women given these talents and using them in a world of men's power. This movie is a prime example when women rise against men to prove themselves worthy of man's abilities. 

Feminism:

Reinforces- Barbie is an example that reinforces the stereotype of feminism. In the movie, Barbie World is ruled by the women, ken tries taking over, but the Barbies take back control and show that women can do what men can do.  

Challenges- Spider man challenges the stereotype of feminism. The sole purpose of Mary Jane Watson, is to be adored and rescued by Spiderman. She is the definition of a damsel in distress, who falls in love with a man she knows nothing about.

Multiculturalism:

Reinforces- The Hunger Games uses multiculturalism in a different way. This movie has districts (cultures) that come together to play the “hunger games”. Here two members of each district fight to win. This shows that the different districts come together to play the games.  

Challenges- "In the Heights" challenges multiculturalism by only looking at the poverty level people in the Washington Hights. Even with New Yorks huge cultural pool, the movie specifically narrowed down to that lower level of people.  

Classism:  

The Great Gatsby- 

Reinforces- The movie "The Great Gatsby" reinforces classism. Gatsby is seen belonging to a social group and throwing these parties for those who are seen to be like him with money. This movie highlights the upper class living and its "luxuries" as well as fitting in with the people.

Challenges- The Florida Project challenges the classism sterotype. The movie follows the unfair system of child services. Due to the family being poor and having to break the laws to live at the basic needs, child services are called. This shows the unfair status that the family must follow to survive. 

Changing attitudes towards disabilities:  

Reinforces- The heartwarming movie called Wonder reinforces the idea of changing towards disabilities. In this, Auggie was able to make friends after moving to a new school. In addition, being disabled caused him to get bullied but having his friends with him learned to love himself. 

challenging- The movie "Peanut Butter Falcon" is a movie that challenges changing attitudes towards disabilities. The boy in the movie has down syndrome and he runs away from his home due to him being told that he can not follow his dreams due to his disability.

Ageism:

Neighbors-  

Reinforces- The show Neighbors is a funny movie that reinforces ageism. When a young mother and father move into a house next to a fraternity house, problems occur. In the eyes of the “frat guys”, the “old people” are not good, and the family dislikes the frat for keeping the baby up at night with their loud music. This shows the age differences between the elders and the younger generation.  

Challenges- The Bucket list is a movie that challenges ageism. Its about two older men that are in the hospital because they have cancer and are terminally ill. However they still have a bucket list of everything they want to do so they escape the hospital and do activities that are meant for younger people.

Racism:

Reinforces- The movie Roots reinforces racism as it shows the struggles of african americans. It is a story about race and how race plays into our judgment of the world. Roots is the tale of the life of an African in the 1700s, sold into bondage, enduring unimaginable horrors. We see how colored people were treated differently than white men.

Challenges- The movie Grownups is a comedy that shows families of all different races coming together and going on a camping trip. It shows that everyone is the same on the inside and people should not be judged just because of their race. Each family gets along well and they go on many adventures together.  

 

All in all, there are many films that reinforce and or challenge these stereotypes. Filmmakers often rely heavily on stereotypes because they are a quick and simple way to establish a movies character traits however they can negatively effect the audience due to it creating a false image of certain groups, ages, classes, and genders.