Movies tell exciting, intriguing stories in popular genres to inspire thought and provide entertainment. Moving images generally utilize multi-threaded storylines to express both universal and distinct perceptions. It can be said that movies are a complex art form. Yet, over years as digital media evolves, we have experienced the power of moving pictures/images and sound recording development as a force to be reckoned.
While entertainment is an essential component of film, there is more to what entails the purpose of films. In addition to the entertainment that films offer, they do provide information related to cultural perceptions and behaviour of the audiences that consume these movies.
Since culture is dynamic and constantly changing, films provide an avenue where the stories told present the thoughts, perceptions and beliefs of a given audience. There is no limit to what filmmakers can create since the personalities of individuals and communities are different, complex, and diverse. This alone presents an opportunity for filmmakers to recreate stories that showcase the reality of people’s lives in the contexts in which they live. Film is an extension of the views, lives and societies as reflected in different genres like fantasy, documentary, adventure, comedy, action, thriller and many more. Perhaps this shows that people relate with storytelling that impacts their behaviour and cultural views.
Access to cultural information and opportunities through films brings people together for the greater good of the society. In a digital media sense, sharing and watching movies within online communities not only supports filmmakers, but also creates a sense of identity among consumers. Over the years, producers and recording companies have highlighted the talented filmmakers and creatives who daily strive to bring clarity to thought and emotions through movies. In the popular film culture, it’s common for filmmakers to utilise sound effects, dialogue, music, art, and dance to bring life into images. This has pushed the boundaries of cultures to accommodate various views and opinions of the masses being portrayed.
We all identify with films because of various reasons. Some ways people connect with film is in the ghastly link between our reality and the extension of illusion as played out in films. This is mostly due to the intentional use of techniques and cinematic effects that tend to make illusions seem real in a person’s life and in the end, this sparks entertainment for viewers.
People are also generally drawn to ethics and moral issues in their society. This makes for interesting films that showcase the grey areas of society simply because not everything is, ‘black or white’ or ‘right or wrong.’ Film does a great job of raising moral and ethical issues in our cultures and allows for critical thought within the viewing audience.
Moreover, we cannot overstate the role of film in accentuating our identity. Questions of who we are and what motivates us, are raised in film. Depending on the differences and preferences of people, the answers to questions equally differ. Some people choose to exist in a façade life while others choose to live as seekers and adventures. Other people (in this case viewers) wish to be heroes for various causes, while others are prefer being villains bent on destruction. What film does is to bring out all these ideals and perceptions to light in an attempt to entertain their audience. As such, this appeases the intellectual and emotional needs of people while at the same time challenges their existing cultural views to embolden the central message of that film. When repetitive powerful images and sound have the power to shift or embolden a narrative through film.