The Insider, directed by Michael Mann and Animal Farm, by George Orwell: Aspects of Powerplay

Power is an abstract phenomenon which has existed throughout the history of humanity. Power and powerplay intertwine to an extent as the nature of power is often dangerous, and incurs vulnerability and corruption. However, Powerplay is the interplay, jostle between two powerful beings. It is through this that the complex manipulation of power and power alliances on both an individual and group level occurs. An archetypal portrayal of the existence of power play within individuals and groups is exhibited in the film, "The Insider" (1999) directed by Michael Mann and the controversial satirical novella, "Animal farm", by George Orwell. Both these texts explore certain aspects of Powerplay. The three main aspects of powerplay are the interplay for power, intimidation and manipulation (complex manipulation).

Michael Mann's "The Insider" revolves around one whistle blower's true story. Jeffrey Wigand, a former Brown and Williamsons research scientist's justice. He is fired as a consequence for his poor communication skills, but he was actually dismissed because he disagreed to the method of manipulating the nicotine content in cigarettes to enhance addiction. ‘The Insider’ is predominantly an individual’s struggle for predominance, idealism, and is a reflection of Wigand’s intrinsic moral values. At the beginning of the film, Mann has used Misen-en-scene to establish Wigand's character without vocally articulating it through the frame work of spoken dialogue. Wigand is sitting in his office, completely disorientated from the work, packing boxes, juxtaposed against the busy office environment. This aids in establishing his character as well as reflects his inner feelings in this scene.

It is evident that the entities involved in...

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...ly a dystopian historical allegory, which represents the history of the Soviet Union. Orwell has achieved this by drawing parallels from the events which occur in the Soviet Union and incorporating those events in his novella through the characters mirroring historical figures. For instance, Napoleon symbolises Stalin, and Snowball, Trotsky.

The notion of the interplay between two powerful beings is extensively explored in the ‘barn yard scene’. Snowball suggests the idea of constructing a wind mill, but Napoleon effectively eradicates this through urinating on the plans, as well as labelling Snowball as a self-fish entity. The arbitration between them, which occurs as a consequence of Napoleon’s behaviour, illustrates the constant jostle, interplay between them. Hence, this reinforces the notion of the interplay between two powerful beings struggling for power.