The first part of this paper provides a theoretical basis for Stuart Hall’s idea of how meaning in media is created and interpreted. Subsequently, a brief overview of the cinematic history and representation of African Americans in the United States is presented before examining the concept of transcoding to lay the foundation of challenging possible blaxploitation allegations in Free and Roe’s "Two Distant Strangers". The theoretical part of this paper is complemented by a cultural analysis of the portrayal of African Americans in "Two Distant Strangers", focusing on subverting stereotypical representation and the influence of the film in modern African American society. In that sense, Free and Roe bluntly raise awareness of the still ongoing racism and police brutality in the US. However, one could argue that the film’s structure abandons the viewer with questions about its purpose, as "Two Distant Strangers" undeniably shows elements of blaxploitation while generating money for Netflix, one of the most extensive streaming services on the planet.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Power of Representation
- 2.1 Stereotypes within a Racialized Regime of Representation
- 2.2 Cinematic History of African Americans in Hollywood
- 2.3 Methods to Tackle Stereotypical Racialization in Film
- 3 Contesting the Racialized Regime of Representation in Free and Roe's Two Distant Strangers
- 3.1 Two Distant Strangers: A Blaxploitation Movie?
- 3.2 Tackling the Problem from Within: Transcoding Stereotypes
- 3.3 The Influence of Negative Imaging of Black Characters in African American Society
- 4 Conclusion
- 5 Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The aim of this paper is to analyze the film "Two Distant Strangers" (2020) by Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe, focusing on its representation of African Americans and its critique of racialized stereotypes and police brutality in the United States. The paper examines the film's use of the "blaxploitation" genre and its potential to both engage and alienate audiences. It explores the concept of "transcoding" as a strategy to subvert racialized stereotypes and examines the film's influence on contemporary African American society.
- The impact of racialized representation on African Americans in film and media.
- The history of blaxploitation films and their role in representing Black experiences.
- The concept of "transcoding" as a tool for challenging stereotypical representations.
- The portrayal of police brutality and its impact on African American communities.
- The complexities of representing sensitive issues like racism and violence in a cinematic format.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter provides an introduction to the paper's subject and outlines the historical context of African American representation in US cinema. It discusses the emergence of blaxploitation films and their significance for the Black community. The second chapter delves into the theoretical framework of representation and how meaning is constructed within media systems. It examines the concept of stereotypes and their role in creating and reinforcing racialized narratives. This chapter also explores strategies for challenging and subverting these stereotypes, particularly through the concept of "transcoding". Chapter three focuses on the film "Two Distant Strangers", analyzing its narrative structure, thematic content, and its potential to be interpreted as a blaxploitation film. It examines the film's portrayal of police brutality and its critique of racism in the US, exploring the film's strengths and limitations in addressing these complex issues.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focal points of this paper revolve around the themes of racialized representation, blaxploitation, transcoding, police brutality, and the portrayal of African American characters in film. The paper examines the influence of historical and contemporary cinematic depictions on African American communities, as well as the ways in which films like "Two Distant Strangers" aim to challenge dominant narratives and foster critical dialogue about social issues.
- Quote paper
- Simon Hoffmann (Author), 2023, Contesting a Racialized Regime of Representation in "Two Distant Strangers", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1371674
