I was able to catch a snippet of the Michael Medved show on the radio the other day while driving to work. He was discussing Hollywood's fascination with darkness. He stated that even though the real money making movies at the box office are the g-pg rated movies, overall Hollywood tends to produce brooding pictures with dark themes, and not only that but, those are the films that do the best at the Oscars. He was taking calls from anyone who felt like they could explain it, and one guy called in and in my belief hit the nail on the head, and I would like to share what he said.
He is an independant film maker and in summary this was his explanation. Art is a thing of passion. When an artist creates that which is a piece of art, it is something that comes from deep within. And in his belief any piece of art when it is finished will either be a thing of God or a thing of Man. He went on to say that artists in general are afflicted with a certain amount of melencholy, and alot of what is created does reflect the darker side of things. But, in general even in a dark peice of art there is a certain amount of light and hope portrayed....if the artist has a belief in God. Now, if you are an artist with no beleif in God, then what will your art reflect?....The doings of Man,which in most cases is dark. Hence you have Hollywood's obsession with darkness. One only need look at the glamorous Hollywood portrayal of Hunter Thompson's suicide for this evidence.
Well, I thought that was a very poignant statement by the caller. Evidently so did Medved as he had the caller stay on the line in order to be shipped a free copy of Medved's book.
14 years ago
3 comments:
I would agree. But would go further and say that this is the reason many movies end up not connecting with audience on any level.
I think many times their is an inherent struggle between the artist vision of the film and what the producers envision. The producers, seeking to alter aspects to make the film more of cash cow so that they can get a return on their investment.
So in many cases, the film ends up being a gutted hollow version of what it should have been. This is what happens when art and business collide.
So true....So true
Wow...I've never heard the mood of a movie explained so well! The "caller" should be nominated for an Academy Award...And the award for best, weeding through all Hollywood's crap and subliminal political and social messages goes to...the Michael Medved "caller!"
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