The relevance of film in society… Juliet Asante writes

The Black Star international film festival’s 10th year anniversary theme is so crucial and this is why…

For the purpose of this article, film includes, shorts, documentary, narrative and even music videos and related videos, etc…

Film is seen as entertainment, but if anyone is mindful to step beyond the bubble of disbelief and the illusion of what is captured on the screen, you will ask yourself, how many people were in the room when the passionate love scene was shot and when the murder happened and why we never seem to string together such intelligent, comic and sarcastic comments in real life… how is the moon so perfect.

Just one question will shatter the illusion to contemplate the months and years of intricate work…

From the producer, director, writer, cinematographer, grip, cook, dressmaker, makeup artist, electrician, colorist, editor, sound engineer, set designer, market woman, hotel assistant, graphic designer, ticket seller, popcorn maker, printer, media analyst and critique, workers at the Coca Cola factory, distributor, musician, secretary, investor, bank … The value chain of those who work to create that one hour of illusion is staggering!

We are going crazy about #STRAW, but let’s talk about the issues it highlights, the people it put to work, the technical workers at #Netfliks, the cards you use to pay for your subscription, the countries the film is shot in will make so much money and more people will visit the country and the film will enlighten, impact and or change mindsets or worse case, indoctrinate people 🤗💪🏾…

 We usually imbibe what we watch in films as truth? If I wanted to imprint on society and push forward a message or brand, I will certainly put my subliminal message in a film and indoctrinate you while you eat popcorn… 

Africans fight against trends that have already taken a firm seat in the minds of the next generation through the cartons and children’s programming we allow our children to watch while we push policies in parliament…

The next time you wonder about the relevance of film to society… ask yourself why you think the way you do and ask yourself why your kids think the issue you are so set against is ‘no big deal’  ask why some will die on the high seas… because of an image or a selection of carefully put together images they have consistently been fed to think that the grass is greener somewhere else….. 

…and maybe also pay attention when #Unesco says film is the highest employer on the continent… and can potentially attract so much money 🤔? 

 FILMMAKERS, LOVERS AND THOSE WHO KNOW ALL THIS, NEVER REALLY DISTILL THIS FOR OUR CONSUMPTION AND UNDERSTANDING… 

If we did… the  RELEVANCE OF FILM TO SOCIETY will begin to make sense to the pastor, politician, parent, teacher, investor, employer, youth and everybody in between.