Mass Media Concepts - 1359 Words

MASS MEDIA AND SOCIETY (2) The concept of ‘mass’ The ideas of ‘mass society’ date from the 1940s but before that time, since the19th century, there have been different ideas of what ‘mass’ means. One use of the term ‘mass’ was negative to refer to the mass of people or the ‘common people’ – who were seen as uneducated, ignorant, unruly or violent. ‘Mass’ could also be used in a positive sense as in ‘mass movement’ – such as trade unionism, socialism, or working class solidarity against the forces of oppression. Terms such as ‘mass support’ or ‘mass action’ are other examples. Another way of looking at ‘mass’ is to look beyond just a ‘large number’ of people to see if the group are acting collectively, or rationally, or†¦show more content†¦Society is seen as being made up of linked working parts (subsystems), of which the mass media are one, each making an essential contribution to continuity and order. Society needs the continued maintenance of an accurate, consistent, supportive, and complete picture of the working of society and the social environment. It is by responding to the needs of individuals and society’s institutions in consistent ways that the media achieve unintended benefits for society as a whole. The social functions of media The main functions of communication in society are: Information About events and conditions in society and the world Indicating relations of power Facilitating innovation, adaptation and progress Correlation Explaining, interpreting and commenting on the meaning of events and information Providing support for established authority and norms Socializing Coordinating separate activities Consensus building Continuity Expressing the dominant culture and recognising subcultures and new cultural developments Forging and maintaining common values. Entertainment Providing amusement, diversion and the means of relaxation Reducing social tension Mobilization Campaigning for social objectives in politics, war, economic development and sometimes religion These ‘function’ of society (above) are not ranked in any order and the relationshipShow MoreRelatedMass Media Influence On People s Ideas About Society936 Words   |  4 PagesJamilah Alfadhli ENG 110-01 November 13, 2015 Mass Media Influence in Shaping People’s Ideas about Society The most important goal for mass media is to make high revenues. To make this goal real and earn that money mass media maker or producer put effective working plans. These effective plans could be in all different kinds of any mass media. There are several effects of made mass media planning before it broadcasting a message to improve it economic. These effects are; effects of advertisingRead MoreThe And Dissemination Of Cultural Values, Ideologies, And Hierarchies832 Words   |  4 Pagesthe full web of the â€Å"word-concept† culture, dominate much of the theory and practice. The most common debates are over naming eras and redefining terms like popular, culture, popular culture, etc. Despite the debate, the historiography maintains four important foci for the construction of cultural values: industrialization and the Progressive Era, the influence of industrialized media, the concept of shifting contexts, and a reference an attempt to identify the â€Å"word-concept† of â€Å"the people†. Like theRead MoreThe Agenda Setting Model Can Guide The Public Opinion And Mass Communication1464 Words   |  6 Pagesand mass communication about some social or political issues. Different with media effects model, the media effects more like to telling people how to think, however, the agenda setting model is successful in telling people what to think about. In a general way, agenda setting theory was constructed in the environment of traditional mass media, and the purpose is to study traditional mass media. About the visual agenda setting, the particular pictures, videos affect the influence of the media, whichRead MoreThe Between Media And Body Image1348 Words   |  6 Pagesconstructed by the society and by the media. But women are affected that kind of construction. Mass media give narrow definition about the standard of beauty. Delis noticed this massage everywhere, especially in the media, â€Å"I am so affected by Glamour magazine and Vogue and all that; I’m looking at all these beautiful women. They’re thin. I want to be just as beautiful. I want to be just as thin. Because that is what guys like† (Hesse-Biber, Sharlene Nagy 12). The media representation of the thin idealRead MoreStanley Cohens Concept of a Moral Panic1692 Words   |  7 Pagesof both groups as well as the role of mass media in raising the conflict between them. The main goal of the current study is to speak about the concept of â€Å"moral panic† which was introduced by Stanley Cohen in his studies. The paper will also focus on the conflict between the Mods and Rockers which occurred at the early 1960’s in Great Britain. Stanley Cohen’s Concept of a Moral Panic As it has been stated above it was Stanley Cohen who brought the concept of moral panic in the common usage. BeforeRead MoreMedia and Mass Communications Development on a Healthy Mature Culture1200 Words   |  5 PagesMedia and Mass Communications development on a Healthy Mature Culture This argumentative essay is specially made to discuss the possibility for media and mass communication to nurture the development of a healthy, mature culture. Overall, the process of media and mass communication media development has already caused changes in the public sphere. The digitalization of media dramatically increases the chances of the people to get an access to the information, which is transferredRead MoreDefinition of Mass Media1699 Words   |  7 PagesThe Mass Media Defining the Mass Media Defining the Mass Media The focus of this opening section is an examination of different explanations of the relationship between ownership and control of the mass media and, in order to do this, we need to begin by thinking about how the mass media can be defined. Breaking down the concept of a ‘mass media’ into its constituent parts... A medium is a ‘channel of communication’ - a means through which people send and receive information. The printed wordRead MoreThe Political Economy And Cultural Studies Theories1429 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Mass media plays an important role in the society by providing entertainment, information and acting as the government’s overseer. Several scholars have developed philosophies that help people understand how mass media fulfills its roles in the society. For example, Horkheimer and Adorno have constructed theories that explain the functions and impacts of mass media in the society across the globe (Mosco, 2008). The central theme in all mass communication models entails the meaning of media contentsRead MoreThe Field Of Sociology Is An Old But Ever Changing Systematic Study Of Human Behavior1579 Words   |  7 Pagesa significant mass media issue of which continues to grow. It is not only apparent in its raw form as pornography on the internet but also in various social media feeds, in advertising , discussed in the press, and as a part of some forms of entertainment. Key concepts of this social phenomena include; the media and mass media, pornography, freedom of expression, normalisation, sexuality, identities, violence, and the sexualisation of women and young girls. In today’s society, media are endlesslyRead MoreThe Concepts Of Agenda Setting And Framing1620 Words   |  7 PagesThe concepts of agenda setting and framing are widespread and prevalent within mass media and in everyday forms of life. McCombs and Shaw define agenda setting as â€Å"the idea that there is a strong correlation between the emphasis that mass media places on certain issues†¦ and the importance attributed to these issues by mass audiences.† (Scheufele 11) A related concept to agenda setting is framing, the idea that media can â€Å"select some aspects of a perceived reality and make them more salient in a communicating

The Effect of News Teasers in Processing News on Television Free Essays

Past researches on cognitive effects of news teasers[1] (or news previews) were mainly focused on the viewer attention and memory performance (e. g. Scheuder White, 1989; Cameron, Shleuder, Thorson, 1991; Schleduder, White Camerson, 1993), but little research has been conducted to examine the effects of the by-product of newscasts-news teasers. We will write a custom essay sample on The Effect of News Teasers in Processing News on Television or any similar topic only for you Order Now Chang’s paper aimed at filling the gap between previous researches by exploring the role of news teasers in processing television news and examining the effectiveness of different news teasers in improving information retention and comprehension. Chang found that the presence of a news teaser in the preceding TV program enhanced viewer’s recall and comprehension of the news story teased. Additionally, the presence of a program reference in the news teaser demonstrated a significant impact on viewer’s comprehension of the news whilst presentation format of the news teaser did not have any effect. According to the priming effect and schema theory, priming is a natural process of the spreading activating particular connections in memory (Berkowitz Rogers, 1986) and it is used to explain the effects of news previews on viewer’s attention and memory status (Schleuder, White, Cameron, 1993). In addition, Schemata are mental structures that people use to organize their knowledge, make sense of an event and provide a framework for future understanding. With the use of a program reference in a news teaser will not only enhance spreading activation process, but serve a cue emphasizing the connection between program and upcoming news story. Therefore, Chang’s study contended and showed that program-referred teasers have stronger priming effects on viewer’s recall and comprehension. Chang’s findings are particular useful in amplifying the agenda setting effect by leveraging on the relationship between preceding program, news teasers and the following news feature. Common examples of such application include but not limited to socio-educational messages such as safe sex, safe driving, and campaigns against drugs, smoking and driving after alcohol consumption. A situational drama can first mention how drug taking ruined the life of a fictional character, following by a news teaser in the commercial break extracting remarkable scenes from the upcoming news program, then the news feature itself. The interaction between the three elements within such a short period of time not only could reinforce the message to be conveyed, but also deepened viewer’s impression on the issue. The most severe weakness of Chang’s study is that it employed a simulated newscast and news teasers instead of naturally occurring ones. Besides, the external validity of Chang’s research is weak given the TV viewing session was conducted in a laboratory setting with all participants being students. Despite the above limitations, Chang’s study does provide new insights for practitioners to adopt in improving audience flow in broadcasting. How to cite The Effect of News Teasers in Processing News on Television, Essay examples

Malaysian Automotive Industry Analysis Essay Example For Students

Malaysian Automotive Industry Analysis Essay Proton Company Which makes Malaysia to be the tactics centre Of automobile industry in the area of Southeast Asia. Proton plays a vital role on automobile industry development inception. In this Mite up, the author Will investigate how proton automobile industry came to been and how the automotive industry in question became the cynosure in the African region most especially South African and Nigerian market. As according to market watch (201 1), it is only the coming up of integrated automotive industry will reduce the countrys over reliance on the agricultural sector (spare-mart. 2012). The rationale of this research is to study the importance of the Malaysian automobile export of spare parts to Nigerian market which if to be considered by its diversity, consumer preferences, and competitiveness in relation to South Korea automobiles brands and spare arts export market (MIDAIR 2009), The spare parts that this research work will focus more into the importation of the Malaysian automotive components and parts primarily within low-tech products like bumpers, steering wheels, wheels exhausts, rims, brake pads, bodies, shock absorbers, engine seat, compressors, radiators etc (proponents, 201 2), Keywords: Malaysian, Spare parts, Imports- Exports, Nigeria, Consumer Preferences. (source: proponents, 2012) Problem or Issue Identified. K Lack of proper background study between the exporting and importing countries. Example, not knowing much about customers as well as the value Of renounce that required the need of preliminary investigation about the two markets. * Most busin ess collapse was as a result Of cost effective Which companies over spends together with inflationary rate. * Lack of mutual understanding between countrys businesses due to varying policies. 1. 2 Importance. In this write up, the author tried his utmost best the pinpoint the significance of this report as can be seen below; 1. This business research will enable the export of proton spare parts to Nigerian market as there is a demand of it. As Malaysian automotive was getting attention nowadays. 2. The research will as ell cerebrate opportunities to both the import and export countries. 3. To also investigate why the proton spare parts export was going down even during the economic year 1. 3 Protons Logo (Proton, 2012) I proton parts Organizational Chart, (source: proton parts, 201 2) (Source: provenders, 2011) 2. 0 Research Questions. By earlier mentioning the stated problems above. The following research questions were listed down by the author: RSI What is the influence of parts shortage on Malaysian automotive export parts to Nigeria? ARQ_ What type Of automotive part is needed the most in Nigeria? ARQ. What policy should the two countries be laid on export trading? ARQ. HOW can logistics affect the exports trading in Nigerian automobile market? ARQ. At what cost or price should the product be reaching the consumer nation? 3. 0 Research Objectives and Framework. The broad objectives of this study are to examine the Malaysian automotive export of its spare parts to Nigeria and they will be serve as the elements to build the research model to find out how the variable relate. Thus the specific objectives are: 1. Parts shortage 2. Trade policy 3. Product needs (Market demand) 4. Cost effectiveness S. Logistics Mores, the research objectives are; ROI. To analyses the effects of parts shortage on the Nigerian market. ROR, To help explore how the automobile industries operate in both countries ROR. To state the inflationary figures through cost effectiveness of both countries. ROR. Help identity the logistics of the Malaysian automotive spare parts export industry to Nigeria. 3. 1 Research Model The designed model will illustrate how the dependent variable relies on the independent variables. The theoretical framework based on the studied factors can be viewed at the figure below. Independent Variables Dependent Variable Parts Shortage Parts Shortage Trade Policy Malaysias Automobile export Product Needs (Market Demand) Cost Effective Logistics 4. Literature Review: export of its spare parts to Nigeria for a broader understanding of the subject matter as they are will be elaborated further in below discussion after been listed the Objectives. Thus the specific objectives are: I _ Parts shortage 5. Logistics There also, the above obj ectives can be elaborated in following format as; 1. Parts Shortage: This is the greatest reason why most vehicle owner in Nigeria do to want to go for the Malaysian automobile because of the greater market share that some multinational automaker companies already has in the country. It is not long ago that Malaysian automobile was introduced into the country Nigeria. So many people were not very well familiar with the brand and the literature relating to development of automotive export of spare parts business to Nigerian market focused on service strategies (Gabbier, 2008). There is also branding or brand image, and brand identity plays as well a vital role in this aspect of marketing so as investment in which the Nigerian scared of losing their life paving to invest in Malaysian automotive brands, To cut it short, the reason why Malaysian automobile spare parts were short in the Nigerian market today was according to thorough research by the author was due to three reasons One is brand image and identity. Second is Investment. Third, product quality as well as the Nigerian poor state of roads connection. The below image, are the proton type products already available in the Nigerian market One can there also according to these made mention little are What contributed to the shortage of automobile spare parts in a country like Nigeria. Why this was said is that, the author research on the Malaysian automotive success and as well checking on its foreign success in one of the Africans leader when it comes to importing the countrys automotive products which is South Africa. The South Africa as a nation is the leader amongst the entire African continent and favors more of the Malaysian automobiles than any other country in the region or continent. Below image is the product sample that the Nigerian market needs in order to create more room for the Malaysian automobile industry to the Nigerian market. (tech, 2010) Proton in this aspect has set itself to venture in the Nigerian automotive market in order to compete with some other multinational automotive companies like Toyota, Honda, Peugeot, General Motors (GYM), Immunities, Ford, Renault, Hounded, Volkswagen amongst many other global automakers to help to the world in ease of transport. Branding is what most buyers if not all first think and go for when obtaining a particular product need arises So, this branding touches and intersects with all forms of businesses, be it operational, sales, marketing etc. However, conveying an image that is in sync with a viable brand strategy an not only help even the tiniest of companies but can be a major driver of its success. What branding sends to customers was to convey a unique value, increase brand recall and there also evolve With the companys culture. The company in question was recently trying to create its branding in the country Nigeria. So, it Will take a While to create a strong brand Within the Nigerian automotive market that is why most spare parts were scarce in the country but thanks to major events that took place in Malaysia. One was its sound educational system and the second was the image it created itself in world racket. For instance, the South African automobile market which these will enormously help in sustaining more customers. American Women Liberation EssayThe widely been used definition is the one by Council of Logistics Management which quoted as: Logistics is the process of planning implementing and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of raw material, in-process inventory, finished goods or services as well as related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to consumer requirements% In this study of Malaysian automobile export of spare parts to Nigeria can be one through contract logistics, which is a contractual agreement to provide logistics service to Nigerian customers in term of this study (Spare parts exports to Nigeria). So, normally in this type of contract agreement (term), any services lured and consideration most be defined within the agreed parties of Nigeria and Malaysia Which there can also be done after making every necessary agreement through sea method of transportation which inexpensive by the time the components Will be arriving the imported country. (presentational. 2012) Table 1: Vehicle production in Malaysia indices Source: Malaysia Automotive Association, 2012) 5. 0 Research Methodology And Design First thing first. Will like to briefly define what is mean by research, research methodology and then the design for a broader understanding of the topic discussion. As according to Sahara (2012) which he sees research as a voyage: A journey; An attitude; Also a method of critical thinking; A careful enquiry in seeking facts for principles. There also he as well defined research methodology; Research methodology refers to the technique, procedure and measures that have been adopted to study a particular population, tools, research instrument estimate. (Thomas, 2003). As the science of studying how a particular research is been conducted scientifically. A methodology that helps to understand not only the products Of scientific inquiry but the process of data collection itself. (Sahara, 2012). There also, in order to research a methodology, there are numerous types and approaches which can be implemented for a better outcome depending on the nature or type of the research purpose. 5. Concept In using concept of research the area of interest is first to be considered make it a focal point which will then be elaborated in detail After the topic has been cited, the next concept step is to come up with a research question (ARQ), In the process of research, it normally begins with the activity of reaching a clear statement rel ated to the research question, The research questions is then known to be a statement of what the researcher have attained through learning and studying which will he completed at the end of the research, gay revising the research questions, it is known to be a good practice which will make sure that the writer or the one who authored the article or journal is clear on what he/she or they intends to know. 5. 2 Research Types. Basically, Research Methodology could further be classified into two types which are Qualitative and Quantitative Methods as per as this particular given research assignment is concern. Qualitative methods mostly deals with description of facts, problems and issues while quantitative method deals with gathered numerical data. In short, these Research Methodologies will be explained in detail as below (Crewel, 2006). 1. Descriptive Quantitative Research: This type Of a research helps measure things as they are be it through frequency or average description. Exam ple, how many people are participating in his program? 2. Descriptive Qualitative Research: Which have a detailed description of a particular situation(s) with the aid of using observations, document sampling or review, and interview. In this case the author Will describe things as they are. Example, peoples perception, or how do people implement this program? 5. 3 Research Design: The researcher in his utmost best stood well in order to make the research result up to standard followed a duly preceding through actual data collection and many reviews in relation to the topic was conducted to study contributions room other researchers to Malaysian export automotive spare parts to Nigeria. In this research design type, qualitative design was employed in order to make it more meaningful. Thomas and Corbett (2003), differentiate qualitative and quantitative research type as; As a qualitative study, the activities of collecting and analyzing data, then developing it and amend possible theories thereby elaborating or refocusing a particular research question, and identifying and dealing with validity. Furthermore, the researcher may need also to modify or reconsider some design session during the study in response to development or changes in some many other respect of the design. (Thomas and Corbett, 2003). 5. 4 Data Gathering Method Many sound quality researchers mainly concerned With validity rather that What is known as factual predictions of their communication in order to decrease the likelihood Of misinterpretation, through procedures Which may have include data redundancy collection as well as procedural challenges in their explanation to the particular study they make or about to be conducted. There are Of course various other data gathering in qualitative research methods which amongst ere: interview, summation focus group, document review, observation as well as critical reports in incident. But, in here of this particular research, the document review is the one type used for this research wince various literature reviews were the only method referred in order to come up with such amazing research on this particular chosen topic (Dentin, Lincoln, 2005). And one can define document review as a research method that requires the researchers with in-depth learning process, so as to enable a critical text editor, such as media reports, diaries, journals, articles or blobs. The researcher should explain the method used and readers should feel at home that the method involved a critical approach. Importantly, the whole entire of this research was conducted through websites as well as journals and articles (Dentin : Lincoln, 2005). 6. 0 Ethical Consideration In this given research conducted so far there is no harmful effect carried out or stated through the entire piece of the research finding an was in a compliance with both state as well as a federal law from both exporting country (Malaysia) and the importing country (Nigeria). Furthermore, this founding can be printed, edited for revise, redistributed or viewed by others most especially the automotive industries in the country as well as foreign investors alike. But, as this case is concern, the founding was solely been used for academic purpose.

Yojimbo the Japanese amidst Western World and Archetypes Essay Example

Yojimbo: the Japanese amidst Western World and Archetypes Essay Yojimbo is a 1961 Japanese sword-fight film by Akira Kurosawa, featuring Toshiro Mifune as the nameless protagonist. The plot revolves around a ronin (wandering or master less samurai) who gets into a small town. He finds out that the place is being ruled by two gambling warlords, Seibei and Usitora, and he sees this as an opportunity to make some money. First, he hires himself as a yojimbo or bodyguard to both crime lords, and then proceeds to making the two crime gangs face off in a series of bloody skirmishes. He employed manipulative tricks in order to let the two gangs kill each other to annihilation. In the end, he engages in a very bloody battle between the two crimes syndicates, leaving the town in peace as the two gangs are finally depleted. He, in turn, acquires a good deal of money from his conspiracies.This paper will analyze how the film Yojimbo is heavily influenced by Western standards, and how the film portrays a rather distorted view of the Japanese culture and histo ry, with a leaning towards the Western bias and audience.The film’s formal aspectsSet/CostumeKurosawa made a good job in making his set rather realistic and dramatic. The samurai costumes employed are believable and credible and the cast are not overly costumed. Kurosawa depicted a small, dusty Japanese village, and by historical standards, it is accurate and not romanticized.LightingKurosawa employed many Western lighting techniques, such as the occasional emphasis on movement and details. Generally speaking, the film is lighted by natural, bright light that gives it a rather cool ambience. Night scenes, on the other hand, are not given too much lighting in order to accurately depict the Japanese era during that time.SpaceOne rather obvious aspect that makes the film Western-influenced is its use of the wide-lens shots, emphasizing the diminutive, solitary, but purposely heroic nature of the protagonist. This is a direct salutation to the Western man-with-no-name concept, in which a sole wandering character is depicted as the ‘only heroic soul’ in a desolated or corrupted place that he/she will ‘clean up’ by him/herself (Of course, the main character is often depicted as a man, as in Dashielle Hammett’s Red Harvest and Kurosawa’s Sanjuro).Another noticeable camera effect that was employed was the utilization of slow motion and fast-forward effects. For instance, there was a scene where the protagonist is looking at a tree while being asked for his name. The shot was slow-motioned in order to emphasize the calmness of the mulberry tree. From then on, some of his graceful killing moves are also slow-motioned in order to achieve this same effect and to highlight the point that he is, in fact, the calm and solitary mulberry tree that was shot in earlier sequences.   Creative sequences were also employed, as in the scene wherein the character throws a knife to pin a fluttering leaf to the ground. This seemingly nons ense shot (as it has no direct relation to the plot) abounds throughout the film and its only purpose is to highlight the character of the protagonist in symbolic terms.Another salutation was made to the cowboy-themed (Wild Wild West) films, which gives us a hint how the said concept was transplanted in the Japanese context. The sequence wherein the protagonist faces a group of crime goons in a face-off shot (there is a blank space between the protagonist and his enemies) is very reminiscent of the Marlboro films in the West. The spinning dusts and the sound of the wind complete the scene, making a dramatic effect. Moreover, the group of bandits was also depicted as bloodthirsty, dirty and badly-dressed hoodlums, while the protagonist was depicted as the tough-faced, cool Marlboro guy with the heartless look. This archetypal fight scene is very Western-inspired.Although it was not that prominent all throughout the film, Yojimbo exhibits certain special elements of American film noir . The taverns were the crime lords dwell are depicted as dark and decadent in ambience. Nonetheless, the setting stills appear to be more Japanese than American underground.ActingMifune has done a great job in depicting his cool character, his complex characterization ranging from a melancholic solitary man to a raging but intuitive killing machine. However, Kurosawa appears to have taken his characters into boxed Western roles. For instance, the crime lords and goons in the film appear to be direct rip-offs from the gambling lords in Hammett’s The Glass Key, leaving no room for Japanese characterization. There is also a scene wherein the protagonist was tortured. The dramatic scene is almost taken similarly—shot-by-shot—also in the said Hammet film. The acting of the cast in the film is, therefore, patterned. In this case, Kurosawa had certain shortcoming in credibility and cultural accuracy.The fight scenes in the film are numerous and oftentimes gory. In this case, Kurosawa again employed Western techniques in portraying the gory deaths of the protagonist’s enemies. Moreover, the concept of a protagonist facing an unbelievably large number of enemies without acquiring even a scratch is also a Wild Wild Wild West thing. The goons are also very weak and vulnerable, and most of the time their acting is apparently second-rate, almost as if they are pushing themselves to the blade of the protagonist’s sword. Of course, this is again to highlight the strength and epic heroism of the main character, but in this aspect, the fight scene appears mechanical and very unbelievable.Kurosawa and his Western influenceI have been mentioning for quite some time how the film is apparently inspired by many Western concepts, elements and filmmaking techniques. The possibility of Kurozawa copying certain scenes and influence from Western films such as Hammett’s The Glass Key and Red Harvest was also mentioned.I believe that there is noth ing wrong with the incorporation of these Western techniques into a Japanese setting, as doing so is like denying the progress of technology. However, one consequence that Kurosawa committed in doing so is that he neglected other factors of Japanese culture (and even his own creative identity) in favor of the Western techniques. In order to gain a Western audience or, more likely, to gain Western acceptance, he transplanted certain Western archetypes and elements into a Japanese context, thereby creating a ‘Western film in a Japanese setting’ ,made by a Japanese (Richie 2005 p.132). This claim is, of course, not to condemn Kurosawa’s creativity and contribution to the international film industry but rather to highlight how Western standards are becoming ‘The Standard’. This kind of point of view (viewing Western standards as the prime and superior standard) is detrimental to other films, as it forces the films from other countries to conform to the A merican standards and put their own cultural and creative identity in an inferior position.Hence, although the film Yojimbo claims to depict the dark side of life in Japan during the claimed era, it fails in terms of credibility, primarily because the characters and even the situations it claimed to portray as ripped-off from the Western context, and the Japanese setting is the one that was distorted and situated. (This is of course not to say the crime lords and goons are not present in the said Japanese era. The presence of these kinds of people is historically true, and so is to other films from other countries that feature these kinds of social situations). However, the point is not the idea of crime but the depiction of characters and even the archetypal Japanese people themselves.Yojimbo as a portrait of cultural and social deteriorationIt is obvious that Kurosawa wished to depict a picture of the Japan during that time, especially as he included many scenes that tell us how t he Japanese society during that time is on the verge of a moral collapse and how the consciousness and culture of the people are being molded and transformed by the rise of capitalism.For instance, there is a scene wherein a farmer’s son decided to go to the city to look for fortune. The son said that a short exciting life rather than a long life eating rice-gruel†, justifying his act. The scene gives us a picture of how the young Japanese during that time are longing for ‘excitement’ and ‘fun’, two things that are not present in the strict Japanese culture where one eats rice-gruel everyday. This kind of thinking is an influence of the individualistic (and often ‘decadent’) point of view, as traditionalists put it. The need for cheap and fast thrills, in contrast to the traditional and strict Japanese was also put side by side in the same scene wherein the farmer replies to his son: everyone is after easy money these days. The fil m highlighted this contradiction, as even the main theme of the film revolves around this contradiction. The presence of bandits and crime lords in the Japanese culture is not a product of an innate human desire to kill or steal, but a product of the human desire to enlarge his/her property.This fact was highlighted by the film, as it portrayed the crime lords as greedy individuals who are in constant strife and chaos in order to stabilize their power in the society. The film resolves this contradiction in the end, as the protagonist faces the son and tells him that a long life eating rice-gruel is the best (da Silva 2004). This implies that the better life is the peaceful, the stable and, to put it further, the traditional. This tells us how the film rejects the adventurist and chaotic lifestyle that capitalism endows for those who have the financial power. It also tells how the money gives us the illusion that ‘the grass is greener on the other side of the fence’, as it means the rejection of one’s cultural identity and even one’s own identity in the process. The symbol of ‘rice-gruel’ brings in the symbol of the traditional agricultural lifestyle of the Japanese, of how they are directly connected to land and rejecting it will be like rejecting one’s inherent culture and identity (Richie 2006 p.75). In the film, people such as the farmer’s son chose to live this lifestyle in exchange of the illusionist promise of wealth and adventure in the city.The critique may appear plausible until we see how the film commits the same crimes that it preaches as bad. It is because the film itself is a foreign cultural product. Although the film may be enlightening and true, the archetype and elements that it employed is not necessarily reflective. It is leaned towards a foreign bias, and in this sense, it would be a complete destruction of its credibility.The film utilized these elements in order to gain acceptance in the Western film-making circle. One may question why a film needs to be accepted by Western standards. Directly speaking, the primary reason is to gain profit, which is of course in turn the primary reason of mainstream filmmaking. Hence, the film is also geared towards profit, and it rejected the use of authentic Japanese elements in order to gain these profits (not necessarily in the form of money). The film, therefore, is like the farmer’s son who rejected rice-gruel in exchange of money and adventure that he can gain in the city.ConclusionIn formal terms, the film is good and is acceptable. The different filmmaking elements are given creative attention, and the film was generally executed finely. However, one apparent characteristic of the film is that it utilized (and even ripped-off) certain elements, characters and concepts from Western films. Hence, it highlights how the film is heavily influenced by Western filmmaking canons and techniques.The content of the film is also commendable, as it served as a critique of the Japanese cultural deterioration during the said era, and this deterioration is indeed a universal phenomenon that transcends the eras and even to other countries. However, the film also committed this error as the film in itself is a product of Western influence, and it is apparently geared towards Western acceptance and profit. Hence, although the concept is commendable, the film in itself cannot be considerable credible picture of the Japanese society.Referencesda Silva, Joaquà ­n. Yojimbo: Study of a Disintegrating Society. http://redsiglo21.com/eiga9/articulos/yojimbo.html January 24 2004. Web. Accessed 12 May 2010.Richie, Donald, The Films of Akira Kurosawa, University of California Press, 1996. Print.Richie, Donald. A Hundred Years of Japanese Film: A Concise History. Kodansha International, 2005. Print.