Historical veracity, meaning history described with factual accuracy and truthfulness, can be achieved through filmic representation, the portrayal of certain events, people, ideas or experiences within the film medium but not necessarily in the way audiences expect or film makers intend. Films can achieve historical veracity through the way they tell us more about the period or context in which in they were produced rather than the period they are about. The events depicted within these films may not be historically accurate for the time that is being depicted, but rather, the depiction of these events tell us truth about the period in which they were produced. As stated by Samuels, films ‘reflect, embody, reveal, mirror, symbolise existing
…show more content…
The film depicts an alien invasion within an american town and follows the lead character, a doctor, as he investigates the strange changes of the towns people, eventually realising they have been taken over by the aliens or ‘pod people.’ This film is a work of fiction, however, it displays historical veracity due to the portrayal of the context of the period in which it was created in, through the plot and film techniques. The 1950s was a time characterised by ‘the Red-Scare, a campaign of fear and suspicion of communist infiltration in the country that soon turned into vicious witch-hunts that significantly curbed civil liberties.’ 3 The ‘political fight over “Red” infiltration’4began virtually at the end of WWII and was present as the Cold War began. The political fight was lead by McCarthy who began witch hunts against politicians, suggesting they were communist supporters. This led to growing fears among the american population that ‘communist agents were threatening American Democracy from within’5 the country. People then began to fear and suspect that their friends and neighbours were communist supporters, leading towards ‘mass hysteria’.The fear of communism and paranoia of friend and neighbours being infiltrated, manifested itself within …show more content…
This was when women and African Americans made large political gains and are, therefore, considered to hold the ‘blame’. In order to rewrite history for the conservative purpose, the film does not represent feminism as a political movement42. As stated by Wang, the film ‘erases direct signs of feminism from its selection of images and memories of the era,’43which acts to support the ‘family values’ campaign of the Republican party. Following on from this, in the film the character of Jenny is a representation of the 1960s44 and her character is used to highlight ‘the feminine as the sight of cultural chaos.’45 Her narrative is intertwined with chaotic and important moments of the 1960s in America, whilst her sexuality is continually highlighted. Through this technique, ‘the narrative suggests that the country has strayed along with, and perhaps because of, a female practicing “free love”.’46Jenny’s sexuality and ‘free love’ is regularly emphasised within the film acts as a representation of the sexual revolution and feminism. The film reflects these elements of Jenny negatively in order to represent them as ‘deviations from traditional "family values.’47 By the end of the film Jenny contracts HIV and passes away. This further acts to demonise her behaviour and, in some respects, punish her character for being free sexually, relating directly to the views of the 1990s
The film depicts an alien invasion within an american town and follows the lead character, a doctor, as he investigates the strange changes of the towns people, eventually realising they have been taken over by the aliens or ‘pod people.’ This film is a work of fiction, however, it displays historical veracity due to the portrayal of the context of the period in which it was created in, through the plot and film techniques. The 1950s was a time characterised by ‘the Red-Scare, a campaign of fear and suspicion of communist infiltration in the country that soon turned into vicious witch-hunts that significantly curbed civil liberties.’ 3 The ‘political fight over “Red” infiltration’4began virtually at the end of WWII and was present as the Cold War began. The political fight was lead by McCarthy who began witch hunts against politicians, suggesting they were communist supporters. This led to growing fears among the american population that ‘communist agents were threatening American Democracy from within’5 the country. People then began to fear and suspect that their friends and neighbours were communist supporters, leading towards ‘mass hysteria’.The fear of communism and paranoia of friend and neighbours being infiltrated, manifested itself within …show more content…
This was when women and African Americans made large political gains and are, therefore, considered to hold the ‘blame’. In order to rewrite history for the conservative purpose, the film does not represent feminism as a political movement42. As stated by Wang, the film ‘erases direct signs of feminism from its selection of images and memories of the era,’43which acts to support the ‘family values’ campaign of the Republican party. Following on from this, in the film the character of Jenny is a representation of the 1960s44 and her character is used to highlight ‘the feminine as the sight of cultural chaos.’45 Her narrative is intertwined with chaotic and important moments of the 1960s in America, whilst her sexuality is continually highlighted. Through this technique, ‘the narrative suggests that the country has strayed along with, and perhaps because of, a female practicing “free love”.’46Jenny’s sexuality and ‘free love’ is regularly emphasised within the film acts as a representation of the sexual revolution and feminism. The film reflects these elements of Jenny negatively in order to represent them as ‘deviations from traditional "family values.’47 By the end of the film Jenny contracts HIV and passes away. This further acts to demonise her behaviour and, in some respects, punish her character for being free sexually, relating directly to the views of the 1990s