Film and Cultural Identity

American Films

Statistics and facts about the film industry

• Entertainment is big in the United States. It is expected, that the sector as a whole will have generated 564 billion U.S. dollars in revenue by the end of 2014. Forecasts predict that the entertainment industry will grow to over 679 billion US dollars in value over the next four years, proving its worth in domestic markets and as a major U.S. export.

• The film industry is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, player in the broader entertainment sector; it is considered a cornerstone of the industry.

• The United States has one of the oldest film industries, and Hollywood is the primary nexus of the U.S. film industry with established film study facilities such as the American Film Institute, LA Film School and NYFA being established in the area.

• Four of the six major film studios are owned by East Coast companies. Only The Walt Disney Company — which owns Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Lucasfilm Limited, the Pixar Animation Studios, and Marvel Studios — is fully based in Southern California. And while Sony Pictures Entertainment is headquartered in Culver City, California, its parent company, the Sony Corporation, is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Most shooting now takes place in California, New York, Louisiana, Georgia and North Carolina.

Definitions• Ideology- A world view or a system of values, attitudes and beliefs

which an individual group or society holds to be true or important. These are shared by a culture or society about how that society should function.

• Culture- The characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, food, social habits, music and arts.

• Power- The ability or capability to do something or act in particular way.

• Representation- The way in which the media portrays particular groups, communities, experiences, ideas, or topics from a particular ideological or value perspective.

• Americas rule the world.• Land of the free• Racist• Cowboys and Indians• Extravagant/ over the top• Eat a lot of junk food• Plastic• Guns• Rednecks• Drive everywhere• Think their the best• Drugs

Why did I get Married

Synopsis:Suffered a humiliating experience on a plane, the dog was sucked into a reactor, Nashawn Wade (Kevin Hart) attacks the airline to court and gets 100 million. With the money, he opened his own company he called "NWA" (Nashawn Wade Airlines), which also refers to the group rap NWA. His dream is realized: sexy stewardesses, funky music and hiphop, incredible comfort with a dance floor ... Captain Antoine Mack (Snoop Dogg) is the driver hired by the cousin of Nashawn, Muggsy (Method Man) also on board. Customers in the "NWA" consists only of black except for a white family that has no other choice but to take the Terminal Malcolm X (name of the terminal NWA) to go to New York. This family consists of Elvis Hunkee (Tom Arnold) Dad chicken Heather (Arielle Kebbel) and Billy (Ryan Pinkston).

Director name: Tyler PerryMusic composed by: Aaron ZigmanDistributed by: LionsgateTheme: Comedy DramaRelease date: October 12, 2007Country: United States Box office: $55,862,886

SelmaDirector name; Ava DuVernayMusic composed by; Jason MoranDistributed by; Paramount Pictures (United States/Canada)Theme: Historical DramaRelease date: December 25, 2014Country; United StatesBudget; $20 millionBox office; $62 million

Synopsis:Selma is a 2014 historical drama film, based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis. Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant in certain areas, making it very difficult for blacks to register to vote. In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Battle of The YearDirector name: Benson Lee

Music composed by: Christopher LennertzDistributed by: Screen GemsTheme: DanceRelease date: September 20, 2013(United States)Country: United StatesBudget: $20 millionBox office: $16,549,477Dante Graham enlists Jason Blake to coach the United States' b-boy team to compete in the Battle of the Year, as the US has not won in 15 years. Blake puts together a team of the best b-boys across America à la Dream Team. After overcoming their differences and learning to work as a team, the Dream Team makes it to the semi-finals, beats the reigning champion French team and finds themselves against the favorites, the Koreans. Ultimately, they lose by one point. Blake resolves to resume training as soon as possible to win next year.

Soul Plane Director name: Jessy TerreroMusic composer: RZA and Christopher Lennertz (Uncredited)Distributed by: Metro-Goldwyn-MayerTheme: ComedyRelease date: May 28, 2004Country: United StatesBudget: $16 millionBox office: $14.8 million

Following a ridiculously awful flight that leads to his pet's death, Nashawn Wade (Kevin Hart) files a lawsuit against the airline, and wins a multimillion-dollar settlement. Determined to create a better flying experience, Nashawn starts his own airline, one that caters to an African-American clientele. Going into business with a tricked-out plane piloted by the smooth Capt. Mack (Snoop "Doggy" Dogg), the airline hits a snag when it has to deal with the family of Elvis Hunkee (Tom Arnold).

Relatable?

I do relate to all the films I have chosen in one way or the other for example the movie ‘soul plane’ is humorous which will make me engage in the film. Another way I can relate is the main characters in ‘why did I get married’ because one of the main characters is Janet Jackson and I have been brought up on her and her brothers songs throughout my life it made me take an interest in the film so I could see how her acting was as she is a good singer. As I dance ‘battle of the year’ is something that is interesting as it is the style of dance which I enjoy and do on a regular basis. In Selma it is trying to get equality for black people and as I am of a race I like to know my heritage and how much of a struggle for justice it was for my ancestors, it also makes me appreciate life more because all them years ago I wouldn’t of been able to do the things I do now.