How does cinema impact society?

Urmila Solanki

BBA in mass communication | Posted on 1-Oct-2018

Cinema is an art form where all other arts come together in conjunction to give audience the best possible result. It is an amalgamation of both old and new. From traditional songs and script writing, storytelling to the latest Computer Generated Imagery technologies, all find its place in cinema. Henceforth, cinema has more long lasting impact on society and people living in it than any other art form.

Cinema through adaptations and original film scripts, offer something for almost every kind of art lover. The one who likes to listen to stories, the one who enjoys music, or the one who is fond of entertainment elements like dance numbers –all can find something or the other of our choice in Cinema. This establishes the fact that, there is very little, almost negligible scope of cinema not affecting you in any way.

Cinema works best when it shows the mirror to the society. When the audience facing big screens see their own reflection in the characters played by actors and they relate so much with the story that they half-guess and predict the happenings of a movie. Not just this, but when they leave the theatre, they wonder about the movie and their own life. They perhaps would see and recognize the flaws in the movie that they are unable to point out in their own lives.

Another form of cinema is the one which criticizes. Which has the flaws of the society as its pre-dominant theme and hence try to transform the citizens into better persons.

And then there are some movies which play the role of both –being a mirror to the society, and a critic. Satyajit Ray is the giant of Indian cinema who created films like Sadgati which shows the plight of untouchables and lower castes, and their exploitation at the hands of Brahmins and other upper castes. Such movies make us wonder about our position in society and also shows us the flaws and hypocrisies our society is embedded with. The movies of Satyajit Ray do not only delight and teach, but also disturb us from inside, provoking us to act against the evils of the society.

Disney’s animated movies are also a good example, especially when we talk about feminism portrayed in cinema. In contemporary times, it is Disney movies like Moana, Brave, and Frozen, etc., which have turned Disney princesses from the damsel in distress to the powerful, independent, and strong individuals. These movies teach young and old girls the lesson of individuality and self-integrity, and the society how to respect women and their femininity.

By teaching, by delighting, by disturbing, and by making us wonder –cinema impacts us in a lot of unimaginable ways that are impossible to count in just one go.

Nicky Faris

@letsuser | Posted on 3-Oct-2018

I would like to add that biopics these days are having a great impact (both negative and positive) on our society. They have always been the subjects of controversies and offer us an inspirational discourse in the form of entertainment.

Letsdiskuss

When the life of a great personality is revealed, we either like to incorporate his ideals into our lives, or condemn them having a better picture of his/her life. It surely changes us in one way or the other.

Sanya Chopra

Makeup artist at Jawed Habib | Posted on 3-Oct-2018

When one is talking about cinema, one just can't leave the genre of documentary movies, and the cinematic revolution that Netflix has brought in entertainment industry.

Shows like Thirteen Reasons Why, Ghouls, and Sacred Games have given us a lot of good, artistic entertainment along with an analytical insight on the workings of the society.

Letsdiskuss

Similarly, documentary movies have been always there when commercial cinema forgets its duties and responsibilities and keep producing useless masala stuff.

Disney movies and other animation movies like Inside Out and Minions are also impacting society, especially children, teaching them good values and helping them become better individuals.

Kishan rana

@letsuser | Posted on 31-Oct-2018

A film is an exaggeration of life. That perception connects with the way society views life. Films are like advertisements, trying to convince you to view things the way they want you to view it. In order for you to view their product they gotta connect with their intended audience. Love for example, is perceived to be a desire to be with someone else, the way you feel for someone, perfect dates, AND THERE IS ALWAYS A HAPPILY EVER AFTER. But there isnt always a happily ever after, some couples fall out or some people may never find love. Films advertise certain products for the audience to say ah that celebrity has it I must get it to.