>Will nobody admit to actally enjoying watching the
>violence in films/cartoons? After all why are violent
>films so popular and why is it such a popular subject
>of intellectual discussion?
Melina,
You know, there is a distinction between the pleasure we receive
viewing something and the pleasure we receive in criticizing it.
Also, violence serves symbolically to represent specific concepts:
let's see, violence has its own language, if you will.
We can receive pleasure from things we don't like. By merely admitting
that we enjoy violence, nothing will be solved. And I think the
visceral feelings that some relate to as pleasurable when viewing violence
do not necessarily relate to "liking it."
Liking something is not always a pleasurable experience.
Enjoying something is not always liking it.
We could pick a specific form of violence and discuss how we enjoy it.
This is difficult, because I may want to discuss representations of
rape in film. Do we find rape pleasurable, coded, significant,
meaningful? Maybe. But few people like rape or enjoy it.
So, I hope nobody will *just* "admit to actually enjoying watching
the violence in films/cartoons."
Concerning the popularity of violent images in the media. The media
sells violence as a commodity, and I will argue that you don't
necessarily have to like or enjoy (never mind find pleasure
in/with/through) pop-culture commodities. The fascination say with
penny dreadfuls or with shock cinema has less to do with popularity
than with the comfort we find with familiar representations. I have
never been too turned off by violence in my fiction, however I find
it horrifying that folks assume it's human nature without a second
thought. We push the limit with what is representable and allowed
not only because we enjoy the taboo, but also because we are
creatures of habit living in a ultra-consumeristic society. That's
why Tarrantino developed a following even before he proved himself as
a writer/director who has staying power (which he doesn't).
Zeitgeist.
Maybe we should talk about zeitgeist?
Nevermind that Tarrantino pulls off intelligent and slick retreads.
Audiences are willing to see recycled images, say "like" them, as
long as they point to something culturally significant.
sorry for bringing in too many points at once,
gary norris
--
Every visible power is threatened, especially when it
rests on a usurpation that alienates both its victims
and its accomplices. Thus the detective's tactics are
those of the minister and the Chief of State. Power will
be shady or will not be at all. . .
--H de Balzac, Introduction to Une tenebreuse affaire
|