Cinema as a Mirror: Analysing Racial Conflicts in Agathe Cléry

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/2817-2310.2023.02.08

Keywords:

Cinema, discrimination, film analysis, inclusive cinema, multiculturalism, racial conflicts, racial identity, social change, social conflict theory, social constructivism, societal attitudes, sociocultural reality, tolerance

Abstract

This academic article delves into the intricate portrayal of racial conflicts in the film Agathe Cléry. This analysis contributes to our broader understanding of how visual media shapes societal perceptions of race and ethnicity by critically examining how cinema represents racial tensions. It engages with critical theories on racial identity, racism, and multiculturalism to illuminate the film's social significance.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this article offers new insights into the evolving dynamics of racial conflicts in contemporary society. It explores the enduring relevance of cinematic narratives in challenging prevailing notions of racial identity and discrimination, aligning with and extending the work of scholars who have explored the impact of media on societal attitudes and behaviours.

This study serves as a synthesis of film analysis and sociological perspectives. It not only dissects the complexities of human interactions as depicted in Agathe Cléry but also highlights the transformative potential of cinema as a tool for promoting inclusive narratives and addressing pressing social issues. Through this analysis, we gain a deeper appreciation of how cinema can initiate meaningful conversations about social problems, challenge preconceived notions, and foster tolerance. It invites viewers to critically engage with racial prejudices, encouraging them to strive for a more inclusive and equitable society.

This article underscores the decisive role of cinema in challenging societal norms and fostering essential discussions on racial identity and discrimination. It reflects on the significance of authentic representation, avoiding stereotypes, collaboration with experts, and promoting dialogue within the film industry. It suggests future research directions, including audience reception studies, comparative analyses of films from diverse cultural contexts, investigations into the long-term effects of anti-racist films, and explorations of intersectionality in film.

Agathe Cléry is a compelling example of cinema's ability to address social problems, challenge preconceived notions, and foster tolerance. This article comprehensively analyses the film within the context of racial conflicts, emphasising the importance of authentic representation and responsible storytelling. As the film industry evolves, embracing these recommendations and exploring future research directions will contribute to a cinema that reflects our diverse world and actively engages in the ongoing journey toward social justice and equity.

References

Amineh RJ, Asl HD. Review of Constructivism and Social Constructivism. Journal of Social Sciences, Literature, and Languages. 2015;1:9-16.

Balibar É. We, the People of Europe? Reflections on Transnational Citizenship. Princeton University Press; 2004.

Bertrand M, Mullainathan S. Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal? A Field Experiment on Labor Market Discrimination. The American Economic Review. 2004;94(4):991-1013. https://doi.org/10.1257/0002828042002561

Bloemraad I, Terriquez V. The Comparative Study of Immigrant Political Incorporation. In: Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford University Press; 2016:597-614.

Bonilla-Silva E. "New Racism,” Color-Blind Racism, and the Future of Whiteness in America. In: Doane AW, Bonilla-Silva E, eds. White Out: The Continuing Significance of Racism. Routledge; 2003.

Bresson R. Notes on Cinematography. Urizen Books; 1977.

Chion M. Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen, ed. and trans. Claudia Gorbman. Columbia University Press; 1994.

Collins PH. Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. Routledge; 2000.

Collins PH. Intersectionality as Critical Social Theory. Duke University Press; 2019. https://doi.org/10.1215/9781478007098

Coser LA, Dahrendorf R. Georg Simmel: Collected Essays on Sociology and Social Problems: Volume 4. Routledge; 2015.

Crenshaw K. Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory, and Antiracist Politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum. 1989;1989(1):Article 8.

Crenshaw K. Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color. Stanford Law Review. 1991;43(6):1241-1299. https://doi.org/10.2307/1229039

De Valck M. Film Festivals: From European Geopolitics to Global Cinephilia. Amsterdam University Press; 2007. https://doi.org/10.1017/9789048506729

Dovidio JF, Gaertner SL, Saguy T. Commonality and the complexity of "we": Social attitudes and social change. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 2006;32(11):1419-1431.

Dyer R. White. New York, NY: Routledge; 1997.

Fanon F. Black Skin, White Masks. Éditions du Seuil; 1952.

Gerbner G, Gross L, Morgan M, Signorielli N. The ‘Mainstreaming’ of America: Violence Profile No. 11. Journal of Communication. 1980;30(3):10–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1980.tb01987.x

Gilroy P. The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness. Harvard University Press; 1993.

Hall SW. Encoding/Decoding. In: Hall S, Hobson D, Lowe A, Willis P, eds. Culture, Media, Language: Working Papers in Cultural Studies. Hutchinson; 1980:63-87.

Hill Collins P. Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment. Unwin Hyman; 1990.

Hooks B. Black Looks: Race and Representation. South End; 1992.

Hunt DM. Screening the Los Angeles ‘Riots’: Race, Seeing, and Resistance. Cambridge University Press; 2019.

Hunt DM. The ‘Mainstreaming’ of America: Violence Profile No. 11. Journal of Communication. 1980;30(3):10–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1980.tb01987.x

Maher FA. Family Socialization and the Transmission of Racial Attitudes. In: Racial Attitudes and Asian Pacific Americans: Demystifying the Model Minority. Springer; 2013:45-67.

Marks LU. The Skin of the Film: Intercultural Cinema, Embodiment, and the Senses. Duke University Press; 2000. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1198x4c

Michel Chion, Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen, ed. and trans. Claudia Gorbman (New York: Columbia University Press, 1994);

Mulvey L. Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Screen. 1975;16(3):6–18. https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/16.3.6

Omi M, Winant H. Racial Formation in the United States: From the 1960s to the 1990s. Routledge; 1994.

Pager D, Shepherd H. The Sociology of Discrimination: Racial Discrimination in Employment, Housing, Credit, and Consumer Markets. Annual Review of Sociology. 2008;34(1):181-209. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.33.040406.131740

Rosenfeld MJ, Kim K. Interracial relationships in the 21st century. Journal of Marriage and Family. 2005;67(4):1159-1174.

Scheunemann JD, Strauss B, Wandl M, Schlueter E. Discrimination in access to housing: A meta-analysis. Journal of Social Issues. 2016;72(2):268-290.

Schmidt M. The pervasiveness and persistence of racial bias in the American criminal justice system. St. Louis University Public Law Review. 2015;34(1):119-137.

Smith, John. Music as Narrative in Cinema. Publisher, Year.

Smith, L., & Brown, D. R. (2017). Everyday racism: A sociological view.

Staiger J. Film, Reception, and Cultural Studies. In: Camera Obscura, Camera Lucida: Essays in Honor of Annette Michelson. Indiana University Press; 1992:56–78.

Stam R. Film Theory: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell; 2000.

Tall I. Les Reunionnais en France. Paris : Ententes ; 1976.

Tatum BD. "Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?" Essential Books/Hachette Book Group; 1997.

Downloads

Published

2023-10-03

How to Cite

Narcis, S. . (2023). Cinema as a Mirror: Analysing Racial Conflicts in Agathe Cléry. Global Journal of Cultural Studies, 2, 108–123. https://doi.org/10.6000/2817-2310.2023.02.08

Issue

Section

Articles