1. Postmodernity in film
Out of all the media texts that postmodernity could be integrated into, film and the world of
cinema is perhaps the best out of them all. As we are well aware, postmodernity is
something that can be used to entertain, inform and promote various objects, ideas or
people. The fact that postmodernity can be applied into feature length and short length
films demonstrates the keen desire from postmodernists to get their points across. To run
an hour and a half long film, full of postmodern concepts, would be an almost guaranteed
method of gaining success. The dichotomy between modernism and postmodernism is one
that stretches back years, into film, music and literature – but film appears to be the most
practical method of doing so.
How are films postmodern?
This question is like asking why anything is postmodern… because it is. Well, that’s what a
postmodernist would tell you, anyway. Postmodernity and film/cinema go hand in hand for
a number of different reasons. One of the biggest being that the world of cinema itself,
supports the ideas of postmodern theorists, who claim that the world of cinema is dying
because of a lack of originality and/or imagination. Any film that is a prequel, sequel or
remake is instantly postmodern, because it is demonstrating how we, as individuals, are
running out of ideas.
But that is just one way films can be postmodern. Films are an excellent way of advertising
products and cast members. Whilst it may not seem like an obvious reason to be post
modern, intertextual references are methods of advertising. A perfect example is in the
2004 Thunderbirds movie, in which all cast members drove Ford produced vehicles as a
method of getting around. Music videos are also an excellent way of promoting goods and
products, but it is the duration of the film that makes it so effective. As already said, an hour
and a half of solid advertising via subtle techniques will get the messages across, leading to
desire from the audience for that product.
Films can also be postmodern by mocking past events or people. The Monty Python films
are a perfect example of pastiche. The life of Brian (A film based on the Nativity), throws
away all religious meaning of the story and replaces it with satire and controversial humour.
As expected, it was met with great disappointment by orthodox Christians and religious
2. people alike, but it was the controversial side of it that gave it the reputation and success
that it later went on to gain.
The fact that these pastiche films are so successful just goes to show what the audiences get
out of postmodern films. I will now expand on the different things that audiences can gain
from postmodern cinema.
What can audiences gain?
First and foremost, it has to be entertainment. Whether you like it or not, postmodern films
are meant to be entertaining. Postmodern films hang on the brink of copyright and
controversy, but they are meant to be entertaining. By completely obliterating an original
narrative, postmodern cinema offers an alternative way of viewing a film. Films like my case
study, Scary Movie 5 are perfect examples of this. Audiences who go and watch the film will
be able to enjoy a pastiche version of different horror stories. They may have originally been
too scared to watch the real film, so by watching a more comical version of the film – they
will be able to enjoy two types of genre.
Audiences will also be able to gain knowledge and awareness of products, leading to desire.
As already mentioned, postmodern media pieces are full of advertising. Like in the
Thunderbirds movie of 2004. Some of the product placement may be subtle, while some of
it will be in your face. Audiences who watch postmodern films may start to want these
particular products, especially if they see that a famous movie star has used it. Imagine, if
George Clooney used Head and Shoulders shampoo in a film – women would be going crazy
for it.
Examples of postmodern films:
Scary Movie 1
Scary Movie 2
Scary Movie 3
Scary Movie 4
Scary Movie 5
The Matrix
Fight club
The Life of Brian
The Holy Grail
Bruce Almighty
Evan Almighty
3. Pulp Fiction.
Criticisms of Postmodern films:
One of the biggest criticisms that postmodern films could gain from people has got to be the
fact that they absolutely destroy any sort of meaning or narrative of a film. I know plenty of
people who are have been disgusted by postmodern films in the past, mainly because they
feel that they ruin an original story and don’t add anything to the world of cinema and/or its
creative genius.
