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Where are all the films about poor Americans?

theguardian.com

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Re: Where are all the films about poor Americans?

#81

Post by ben_jones »

dluan wrote: post #14
ben_jones wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How much commercially successful technology is well intentioned? Does Google's philanthropy make up for its advertising? Facebook's? Is the iPhone well intentioned? I feel like many big corps do some good as an offset to their mostly bad, with a net negative gain.

Watch the film I, Daniel Blake , because my comment is kind of dependent on that. The movie does such a good job portraying how change is inevitable. From an American pov, I've always admired how the UK has stuff like Gov.uk, a real at-the-forefront use of technology to make government more transparent and efficient, not to mention cool. It has always seemed functional and user-oriented. And, it's lightyears ahead of…

Could the problem be the UX? Would a touch interface have been a solution? The screen is divided into four contrasting squares, tap the one that describes what you are trying to do. Sign your name with your finger, etc.

I don't think we should caste problems into a grey zone that nobody is responsible for (change). I think we should approach problems from different angles until we find a solution.

Re: Where are all the films about poor Americans?

#82

Post by WheelsAtLarge »

If you're poor and even if you are not, the last thing you want to see in a film is more poor people. I for one like to go to movies to escape my reality. That's what happened to movies about poor people.

No, I did not read the article. Sometimes, the title hits me the wrong way and I have to make my point.

Re: Where are all the films about poor Americans?

#83

Post by dluan »

ben_jones wrote: post #81
dluan wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Watch the film I, Daniel Blake , because my comment is kind of dependent on that. The movie does such a good job portraying how change is inevitable. From an American pov, I've always admired how the UK has stuff like Gov.uk, a real at-the-forefront use of technology to make government more transparent and efficient, not to mention cool. It has always seemed functional and user-oriented. And, it's lightyears ahead of…

Could the problem be the UX? Would a touch interface have been a solution? The screen is divided into four contrasting squares, tap the one that describes what you are trying to do. Sign your name with your finger, etc. I don't think we should caste problems into a grey zone that nobody is responsible for (change). I think we should approach problems from different angles until we find a solution.

Definitely, but even if you had all the time and resources in the world, you'll never get things perfect. So if you operate off that assumption, then maybe it forces you to consider that some people will be left behind by the thing you make - and what then? Hopefully to do something about it and not forget.

Re: Where are all the films about poor Americans?

#84

Post by stillsut »

allthenews wrote: post #39
hadsed wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is incredible that you cite artistic expression for your case. It is likely the money making side that makes it difficult to do anything truly new because the predominantly affluent (and yes, white) masses may be skittish about it. You should think about its broader impact on society, because while you have the time and resources to complain about not being entertained enough (incredible in this age of over entert…

Minorities dominate popular culture, but armchair directors complain that there is not enough representation, exactly the cherry picking I described. But, ok, let's go there. Where is my equal representation, as, say, a first generation Austrian Jewish immigrant with an anxiety disorder? Oh, and, I also demand that you portray my story in a positive light, as a powerful superhero, because apparently in this country p…

> Where is my equal representation, as, say, a first generation Austrian Jewish immigrant with an anxiety disorder?

I think that's Peter Parker a.k.a Spiderman, the nebbish boy living in a multi-generational Brooklyn walk-up, with old-world grandparents.

If we're going to keep making super hero movies (which I couldn't care less about) it seems like we have to keep playing and defying the genres expectations: Spiderman, one of the first, transforms the intellectual into a man of action. Two years ago, Ryan Reynolds transformed the mask crime fighter (Deadpool) from an all-too-serious stoic into a sloppy knucklehead. And now Black Panther transforms the soulful and dirt poor African American into a royal aristocrat and scientist.

I largely agree with your final paragraph. But I think this cultural issue is going to play out like a pendulum where Hollywood is going to make ten more Black Panthers until everyone is completely sick of it, the eleventh movie tanks, and then nobody can make produce even a great Black Panther-esque movie for several years following it.

Re: Where are all the films about poor Americans?

#85

Post by thirdsun »

SoylentOrange wrote: post #11

Some recent examples: - Florida project - 3 billboards outside Ebbing Missouri - La La Land (to a degree) - Manchester by the Sea - Straight Outta Compton - Creed 2015 and more recent, set in the USA, nominated for awards at Oscars, protagonist is poor

I'd like to add American Honey: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3721936/

Re: Where are all the films about poor Americans?

#86

Post by rusk »

bdavisx wrote: post #51
rusk wrote: post #3

Though not a film, Breaking Bad has I think been exemplary in its treatment of this subject. By and large now it’s a topic that sees much more treatment in TV than in movies. “Boyhood” comes to mind.

I don't think any of the main characters in Breaking Bad lived in poverty; even the secondary ones didn't for the most part. If WW had died w/o becoming a drug kingpin, he would have left his family in poverty, but they didn't live in poverty before.

Yes but that's the sad tale of middle america. What should be a "comfortable" existence is perpetually under threat.

Re: Where are all the films about poor Americans?

#87

Post by saudioger »

rusk wrote: post #25
saudioger wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except most of Boyhood was emotional drivel for people who want to see poor people from a distance and believe everything always turns out fine in the end through hard work. Better watch out, that kid from a broken home might break the rules once, but cool white-savior mom is all he needs (she also managed to free the gardener from wage slavery by giving him a nice pep talk). These are totally real things that happen…

Fair enough, that's one way of looking at it. I was personally more struck by how the boys socioeconomic status forced upon him this unpredictable, drifting lifestyle, without opportunity for putting down roots and develop deep relationships. At the end where he doesn't have a home to go back to. I think that this is viewed predominantly as "kind of normal" in the USA and it's really sad. I don't think it's healthy.…

Of course, I understand your take and it's fine... I just grew up with a very similar life situation and feel as though the movie glamorized it to the point where it almost becomes dismissive.

Re: Where are all the films about poor Americans?

#88

Post by roryisok »

johnchristopher wrote: post #73
roryisok wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Where are this generation's "Mr Smith goes to Washington"? "Gone with the Wind"? "Apocalypse Now"? Films like this stood out as original or thought provoking when released, but now films that emulate those classics are everywhere. They have become commercialised to the point of formula. The courtroom drama movie, the period drama set against the backdrop of conflict, the war is hell story. There's one out every oth…

Apocalypse now, casablanca, bowling for columbine, etc. were made in a certain context. That context can't be captured and commercialized because history moved on and it isn't there anymore. They can't completely exist in a vacuum. When I look at today's aaa movies whether the context is lacking or the movie suffers from the formula and lack of originality or personal vision (as you point it). I remember gummo, searc…

> (I am not american nor living in america so I don't know the movie scene as well as the european one)

Ha! Me either! ;-)

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