Pt 1. Quotes:
"The Little Shopgirls Go to the Movies" by Siegfried Kracauer; translated by Thomas Y. Levin:
"... business considerations require the producer to satisfy the need for social critique among the consumers. A producer, however, will never allow himself to be driven to present material that in any way attacks the foundations of society, for to do so would destroy his own existence as a capitalist entrepreneur" (291).
"The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception" by Max Horkheimer and Theodor W. Adorno; translated by John Cumming:
"The mentality of the public, which allegedly and actually favors the system of the culture industry, is a part of the system, not an excuse for it" (96).
Pt 2.
What new question do you have?
In "The Little Shopgirls Go to the Movies," Kracauer emphasizes that, while adhering to a capitalist sense, movie directors and producers must also cater to their audience, at one point stating, "Society is much too powerful for it to tolerate any movies except those with which it is comfortable" (292). Indeed, many of the examples in the piece seem designed to demonstrate how an audience is made to feel comfortable. However, what then, do we make of movies designed specifically to make an audience uncomfortable? Why have audiences come to enjoy such films and how (if it indeed does) does this change the parameters with which producers, directors, and writers approach their craft?
What random something caught your attention?
One part of "The Culture Industry" that particularly caught my attention was the way that the masses themselves help enable capitalist culture. Horkheimer and Adorno note that "the defrauded masses today cling to the myth of success still more ardently than the successful" and thus seem to eagerly conform to the thoughts and expectations the industry feeds to them (106). It's interesting to see how the industry functions not just because of one end of the system but through both ends of the system. This makes me feel more cautious and alert toward "feel-good" movies and reminds me of "The Little Shopgirls" reading, which demonstrates just how different types of film manipulate the perspectives of an audience and how willing we sometimes are to be manipulated. (In thinking about this, I realize how complacent I've been on this front, as I tend to turn to film-- or books -- as a way to escape reality, and I do tend to be pulled into the feel-good aspect of these forms of entertainment without looking too deeply.)
Pt. 3. Theory Ideas/Connections:
In "The Little Shopgirls" much space was given to the way spectators are influenced by film, namely through means such as "the daydreams of society" (292). At one point, Kracauer discusses how film and reality seem to come together as the spectator watches, leaving a theater as if still in the reality of the film. What this particularly made me think of was the Harry Potter film franchise and how strongly it impacted the imaginations of its audience. I remember waving my own imitation wand at locked doors as a child in response to these films and the excitement and adventure they evoked. And what eleven year old viewer of these films wasn't a little disappointed when they didn't receive a letter admitting them to Hogwarts? Not only do the films present a magical alternate reality for those who might feel that they don't fit into regular society, but it also presents a strong sense of community and friendship, a belonging that we all desire. Drawing on those points, the films do indeed draw us into its reality, as if we really are muggles and magic exists around us if we just look closely enough. While, arguably, the books which predate the films can be said to aim for the same effect, the films provide a level of immersion that bring that alternate reality, that "daydream of society" to life.
Pt 3 Image:
Sullivan's Travels (the moment that applies to the Little Shopgirls' fear for the protagonist which ultimately ends in relief when things turn out ok)
Mass culture: Mass culture is the idea of art (or film) as a product made by the corporations, targeting the masses (in terms of audience) in order to make a profit.
Culture Industry: The culture industry produces "standardized" products that they claim were developed according to the needs of the consumers. Such products are meant to be readily accepted by consumers with little thought beyond what the films want consumers to think.