I believe an obviously slanted film does have the ability to change a person’s mind. Certainly a slanted film won’t change most people’s minds, however I believe slanted films are especially powerful to those who feel. When I say feel I mean people that make decisions based on emotion rather than mentally thinking about and analyzing the facts in order to form their own opinion.
One scene I think is emotionally effective is, well, actually all the scenes that involve tears. Pulling at the viewer’s heart strings is always a great way to form an opinion, that is, if the person operates emotionally. Now a scene I find effective without relying on emotion is the scene where the factory workers occupied the factory until they got their paychecks. I think this scene is effective because it is the classic “underdog versus the big guy/the man” scenario. The workers fought for what they believed in and for what they deserved until they got it. Who doesn’t love when the underdog wins?
One scene I found ineffective was the whole Obama scene. He makes Obama out to be, well basically, a savior. People are crying, everyone’s chanting, WOO change! Alright, oorah, I’m down to change things. I think this was all just too much though, especially considering our situation today. Don’t get me wrong, Barack’s alright. He definitely is a leap from our last president as far as our image goes. Still though, all that hope and change, my take on it is if you can’t notice it; you’re doing it wrong. What’s important is people want positive change though.
In short, I believe Capitalism: A Love Story is propaganda. According to dictionary.com propaganda is defined as” information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.” This is my main complaint about this movie. It’s literally propaganda. I much prefer the Frontline type of documentary. It is well put together and most importantly lays out the facts for what they are. It is a documentary, not propaganda. I don’t think Michael Moore laid out the opposing argument in a proper manner because his film is about entertainment and propaganda. Capitalism’s purpose is to sway opinion while Frontline’s purpose is to present the viewer with the facts and allow the viewer to form their own opinions like big boys and girls. I’ve never liked being told how to feel about something, it’s very child-like. I’ve always preferred the facts; just the plain simple truths.
In conclusion, I believe Frontline is much more powerful as a documentary. Capitalism is much more effective as entertainment and propaganda. Each one serves its purpose well.
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