Fiction Meets Reality

Consumer Culture and its Influence on Media Advertising In this blog post, we will go through what is consumer culture, the consumer culture theory and then dive into how it is shown in cinema. We’ll explore how media portrays consumer culture and how they can both reflect and shape our views on consumption in our everyday lives. Consumer Culture Theory We live in a world where what we buy often reflects who and what we are. The consumer culture theory (CCT) talks about how/why our shopping choices and lifestyles are influenced by culture, society, and the economy instead of just our wants and needs. Instead of seeing culture as one big set of beliefs, CCT looks at the different ways people create meaning and identity through what they buy and how they live (Arnould and Thompson, 2018). CCT talks about why people use brands and products to express who they are, how social class or ethnicity influence our purchases, and how people come together because of the same purchases. CCT a...

Id, Ego and Superego and Their Resemblance in Film The id, ego, and superego are three aspects of Freudian psychoanalysis, representing different personalities of the human psyche and behaviour (Fillit, 2017). This theory was established by Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist. The theory not only left a mark on psychology but also on cinema. From thrillers to dramas, filmmakers use the id, ego, and superego to create unforgettable stories that dive deep into human nature. In this blog, we’ll explore how some classic films bring Freud’s theory to life. We will start with a quick look at what the id, ego, and superego are before getting into how they are shown on the big screen. According to Sigmund Freud, our mind can be divided into three levels of consciousness, these are the unconscious, preconscious and conscious mind.  Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) The Id The Id is the one that operates in the unconscious part of our mind. This is the part that is often described as the ...

Stereotypical Male vs Female Representation in Film: A Deeper Look Film reflects society and its values, shaping how we see ourselves and the others around us. One area where films still have a big impact is how they portray gender. For years, films have shown men and women in ways that copy and reinforce stereotypes. While there’s been progress to control these stereotypes, stereotypical images of both men and women are still very common. The Stereotypical Male Hero: Strength and Resilience Traditionally, male characters in film are portrayed as strong, composed, and assertive qualities that align with historical ideas of masculinity. These characters are often shown as problem solvers or leaders who show physical and emotional strength. In action films, the male hero usually saves the day using strength or cleverness. Iconic characters like James Bond or superheroes like Batman are capable and often show vulnerability only in rare moments. This image of the male characters in f...

  Introduction about East vs West culture Today we will talk about the culture of the East vs West, and how it is portrayed in film. To get to know the differences in culture between the East vs West, here is a short explanation: The Eastern culture is made up of countries such as Japan, China, and Korea (North and South). The Eastern societies emphasize and teach collectivism and social harmony. In China harmony, benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, honesty, loyalty, and filial piety are some of the values that they deeply believe in and teach (Lihua, 2013). The West is made up of countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and most of Europe (World Population Review, 2022). In Western culture, people like to emphasize individualism, freedom, and self-expression (The Migration Translators, 2019). East vs West in “Rocky IV (1985)” Russia, although it is in Europe, and Europe is part of the Western culture, it is one of the countries that has a mix o...