King Kong: The Film

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The use of cinema to display symbolic representations within society is a notion to which many films adhere. Movies can be used as a means to which producers may convey a message to the world alongside amusement. These messages, hidden in plain sight, provide the audience with a revelation or opportunity to reflect upon oneself. Symbolic representations used in film, alters society’s outlook on current issues which are either taboo to speak of, or require worldwide exposure. In the plot, which unfolded within Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsacks’s King Kong of 1933, the act of revolution and overpowering black masculinity was dispersed throughout the movie. Whereas, in 1954’s Godzilla directed by Inoshiro Honda, the message within the movie was an environmental strike against nuclear weapon testing. From prehistoric times, women are attracted to physically strong, muscular men with a firm jawline and prefer men of tall stature. These physical attributes are genetically present within the African American men. The movie, King Kong, amplifies this perception by presenting the great Kong as a giant ape, with immense strength, dark skin contrast, and astounding masculine traits thus luring women with his appeal. “It is both as a political and as a sexual threat that black skin appears on screen” The portrayal of overpowering black masculinity indulged a sense of threat to the Caucasian population by planting the seed of fear within the white men. Their minds spurred the illusion that “their” white women would prefer “black savages” over themselves. The following information is from an interpretation of a comical strip within Hustler magazine, a mass distributed pornography magazine. “The message that white women prefer black... ... middle of paper ... ...esentation in order to present an environmental crisis to the public, which in fact is a great idea. The general public does not like to read the newspaper or worry about the side effects of pollution, however, cinema has combined both of these aspects and provide amusement alongside self-awareness within their films. In the midst of enjoying their movie, they are exposed to the frightening events which may occur in the not too distant future should they decide to remain the way they are. Movies such as King Kong and Godzilla depict symbolic representations in attempt to display current issues within society. From revolution against authority to environmental activists proclaiming their concerns, films are a means to which the world may receive a message through entertainment. …….HELP ME FINISH PLEASE Bibliography: 6) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816711/quotes

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