Controversial Art and Censorship Discussion Paper
Thelma & Louise is an American film that was created in 1991. It was about Thelma, whose role was played by Geena Davis and Louise who was Susan Sarandon. These two friends embarked on a road trip that turned into a crime spree. The film was censored in some nations for depicting sexual content and violence. The film had a social contribution by showing the struggles of women within a male-dominated community. The film has some critical aspects together with aesthetic value since it reflects on the human condition of women who try to find their place in the world that is hostile to them. The public’s reaction to the film is positive and many women find it empowering (Lemire et al., 2016). The film portrays its message that women should be empowered openly and this gives hope to women that they can do great things in the world. Nonetheless, the film also considers art since it is a creative work that has been very influential in showing the things women go through and even showing how they can fight for their rights in a male-dominated society. Controversial Art and Censorship Discussion Paper
The film Thelma & Louise was written by Callie Khouri and directed by Ridley Scott. Some of its film stars were Michael Madsen, Harvey Keitel, and Susan Sarandon and it was released on 24th May 1991 (Sturken, 2020). The film was nominated for 6 academic awards including best original screenplay, best actress, and best picture. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The work makes a social contribution since it has a positive impact on the issues affecting women. During the time it was released, men were dominating most positions such as industries, the leadership positions, and they were more exposed to opportunities than women. The film made women understand their worth and know the need to fight for their rights and know what they want.
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This work has been censored and this can be explained by the numerous awards it has received for being the best globally. The film has also been a source of showing the ways good friendship can be upheld. It shows the importance of women fighting for their rights. The film has been a guide for many women and after watching it, they have stood up and fought for their rights. It is effective in portraying its message (Sturken, 2020). Even if it urges the women to wake up and fight for their rights in the male-dominated society it does not despise the men and their role within the community but it shows that the men can still succeed in the community and the women’s input is also critical in the success of a community. Controversial Art and Censorship Discussion Paper
The work should be considered art. Acting itself is an art since people take on new roles, with different personalities and character traits to try and bring the message home. The acting is characterized by different locations and costumes and the actors have to display their feelings through verbal and non-verbal cues for them to develop a connection with the readers. The accompanying statement from the artist is, “I set out to make a movie about two women who go on a crime spree because I wanted to explore the idea of female empowerment. Thelma & Louise is a movie about two women who find themselves in a situation where they have to take control of their lives and fight back against a male-dominated society. The film has been censored in some countries because of its depiction of violence and sexual content. I believe that the film should be considered art because it is a creative work that has been influential in depicting the struggles of women in a male-dominated society” (Sturken, 2020). Susan Wloszczyna is a critic of the film who thinks that the film is about two women who are in a situation whereby they are asked to fight back against a male-dominated society (Lemire et al., 2016). The film shows the struggles women face and it has empowered them in distinct ways. Controversial Art and Censorship Discussion Paper
References
Lemire, C., O’Malley, S., & Wloszczyna, S. (2016). Fade to white: “Thelma and Louise” Turn 25 | Features | Roger Ebert. Movie reviews and ratings by Film Critic Roger Ebert | Roger Ebert. https://www.rogerebert.com/features/fade-to-white-thelma-and-louise-turns-25
Sturken, M. (2020). Thelma & Louise. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Humanities Through the Arts
Authors: F. DAVID. JACOBUS MARTIN (LEE.), MARTIN
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
Publication Date: 2018-01-12 Chapter 14
Lesson
Minimum of 1 primary sources (artist statement)
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook – from critic)
Although social justice art is not a topic exclusive to the 20th and 21st centuries, the distribution of information regarding controversial art with gender, race, sexual, and/or environmental themes has increased with the proliferation of media. Choose an example of a social justice work of art from the 20th or 21st centuries from any discipline of the humanities (music, literature, sculpture, film, television, etc.). Then, address the following: Controversial Art and Censorship Discussion Paper
Identify the work and the medium.
Based on your example, to what extent does this work of art make a social contribution?
What aesthetic value does the work have? How does it reflect the human condition? How does it relate to your life?
Has this work ever been censored? If so, explain the circumstances.
Are governments ever justified in censoring art? Why or why not?
Examine some of the influences of this work of art. What was the public reaction to this work? Does it effectively portray its message?
Argue whether or not this work should be considered art. Explain why using terms learned in this course.
Include an accompanying statement from the artist(s) and a statement from a critic to support your points. Controversial Art and Censorship Discussion Paper