A selection of films that have influenced us culturally from different decades, with brief comments.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
There is no magic. The Wizard is a little fat man pulling levers behind a curtain (note that fairies and witches can still do magic). But the world is still beautiful, especially with song, dance and Technicolor.
Bambi (1942)
Animals are cute and have a soul. Humans (especially hunters) are evil. One of countless films that contributed to the cult of cuteness around animals, with offshoots such as veganism, soyboys and militant animal rights activism etc.
James Bond, Thunderball (1965)
The world is dominated by a vicious crime syndicate, which infiltrates and bribes politicians, military officers and other leading figures, led by the eccentric Ernst Stavro Blofeldt. Some say this is a perfectly reasonable description of the world situation.
The Godfather (1972)
That manliness, blood ties, family and struggle actually mean something – in times when everyone is supposed to be nice, chatty and co-operative individualists.
Deliverence (1972)
Hicks are banjo-playing, inbred violent fools. City dwellers are smart and noble. The countryside is dangerous, the city is civilised. When in fact it might be the other way round?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Are we all locked up in a mental hospital, subject to the rules, whims and fancies of the evil nurse?
Star Wars (1977)
Beyond the struggle between evil, good, and the son whose father has converted to darkness, the most striking thing about the film is the obviousness with which it speaks of a force that holds the universe together, in a time when atheism is in vogue.
Indiana Jones, Raiders of the lost Ark (1982)
The world is exotic and animated. There are supernatural things, fantastic myths and unsolved mysteries. The evil has a German accent.
Blade Runner (1982)
The future is dark, violent and hopeless. Technology won’t save us (compare to Star Trek where the universe was explored, everything was colourful and interesting).
Pulp fiction (1994)
Life is meaningless, ugly, perverse, violent; we can do nothing, except comment ironically, and watch everything burn. When generation-X is given a complete free rein.
The Matrix (1999)
Maybe reality is a simulation? Are we all just Duracell batteries? The Matrix is considered a major cultural influencer, with blue and red pills, but also well-packaged escapism for those who really want to continue slumbering but with more interesting dreams?
Fight club (1999)
Modern life is a pleasurable, schizophrenic but comfortless slavery. It’s about finding your way back to human physical nature and the struggle for survival. Some similarities with the film above.
Avatar (2009)
From the hope and belief that there are still intelligent life forms far out in the universe. To the conclusion that everything is part of a marvellous holistic cycle. We are actually noble elves who should live in untouched forests. Technology perverts and is evil. An obvious favourite among eco-fascists.
