Not many topics have produced more material than the subject of John F. Kennedy and his tragic death in November 1963. The more publications have occurred and keep occurring, the more it seems that narratives and explanations are multiplying and differing. John F. Kennedy is not only being remembered by the political world or his friends and family, he has become a symbol of youth, progress and reform which is being remembered by all kinds of people and all parts of society. Kennedy is being portrayed in popular culture such as movies, music, pop art and photography. His face is reoccurring constantly in the history books and in modern art.
This text focuses on the cultural narrative of John F. Kennedy and his assassination in the movie “JFK” (directed by Oliver Stone in 1991). I am aware that there are multiple ways of approaching the subject of JFK and especially that John F. Kennedy means different things to different people. I will not try to cover all possible narratives involving JFK and the assassination but I will explain that the movie “JFK” had a specific agenda and a certain narrative which was portrayed very explicitly to the audience.
When John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Oliver Stone was a teenager and thought of the killing of the president as a turning point in American modern history. After he had read Jim Garrison’s novel “On the trail of the Assassins” (1988) in which Garrison, the district attorney of New Orleans at the time of JFK’s death, described his research concerning the death of JFK, he decided to make a movie out of Garrison’s story. His decision to direct “JFK” paid off not only because the movie stimulated a heated debate over the remaining documents involving the death of JFK which are being withheld by the government up to the present, but also because Stone created a stunning movie which earned him a Golden Globe.
The movie “JFK” shows the district attorney of New Orleans Jim Garrison making it his personal agenda to find out the truth regarding the assassination of president Kennedy. He soon becomes convinced that there was more to it than the official evaluation by the government and the “Warren Commission” which concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald had been the lone assassin of the president. Garrison becomes dedicated to his cause of revealing the plot, the conspiracy which killed JFK and proving that the lone assassin theory is simply a cover up by government authorities to conceal their involvement in the plot.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Cultural Narrative of JFK's Assassination in Oliver Stone's "JFK"
- Oliver Stone's Approach and Aesthetic Methods
- Analysis of a Short Sequence: Witnesses on Dealey Plaza
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text analyzes the cultural narrative surrounding John F. Kennedy's assassination as depicted in Oliver Stone's 1991 film, "JFK." The objective is to examine how Stone constructs this narrative through specific cinematic techniques, focusing on a detailed analysis of a short sequence showcasing witness testimonies. The paper explores the film's persuasive power and its impact on viewers' understanding of the event.
- The manipulation of historical facts and fictional elements in cinematic storytelling.
- The power of film to shape public perception and influence opinions about historical events.
- The effectiveness of cinematic techniques in conveying a specific narrative and persuading the audience.
- The portrayal of conspiracy theories in popular culture and their impact on public discourse.
- The role of witness testimonies and their interpretation in shaping historical narratives.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage by highlighting the vast amount of material generated surrounding JFK's assassination and its multifaceted interpretations. It establishes the focus on Oliver Stone's "JFK" as a specific cultural narrative and acknowledges the film's agenda and explicit presentation of a particular perspective. The introduction also briefly outlines the director's motivations, stemming from his reaction to the event as a teenager and his subsequent engagement with Jim Garrison's book, "On the Trail of the Assassins."
The Cultural Narrative of JFK's Assassination in Oliver Stone's "JFK": This chapter introduces Jim Garrison's investigation and his conviction that the official Warren Commission report was a cover-up. It details Garrison's belief that a conspiracy involving various powerful entities—the intelligence community, military, and the White House—was responsible for Kennedy's death to facilitate a war in Vietnam. This section lays the groundwork for understanding the film's central argument and the motivations of its key characters.
Oliver Stone's Approach and Aesthetic Methods: This chapter analyzes Stone's filmmaking techniques, emphasizing his blending of historical facts and fictional elements. It distinguishes the film from a documentary or purely historical film, arguing that it aims to present a particular version of history, using cinematic techniques to persuade the viewer of its truth. The chapter highlights the film's use of information in diverse formats, including dialogues, images, and scenes, to overwhelm the audience with evidence of conspiracy at various levels of government.
Analysis of a Short Sequence: Witnesses on Dealey Plaza: This section delves into a specific scene in the film focusing on witness testimonies regarding the assassination. The analysis meticulously examines Stone's use of camera angles, editing techniques (including shifts between color and black-and-white footage), sound design, and pacing to influence audience perception. The analysis details how Stone strategically presents these testimonies to bolster the conspiracy theory presented in the film, utilizing visual and auditory effects to create a powerful emotional impact and enhance the credibility of the witnesses' accounts.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
John F. Kennedy assassination, Oliver Stone, JFK (film), conspiracy theories, Warren Commission, Jim Garrison, cinematic techniques, docudrama, historical narrative, witness testimonies, Dealey Plaza, cultural memory, political paranoia.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Oliver Stone's "JFK"
What is the overall purpose of this text?
This text provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of Oliver Stone's 1991 film "JFK," focusing on how the film constructs a cultural narrative around the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It examines Stone's cinematic techniques and their effectiveness in presenting a specific, arguably conspiratorial, interpretation of the event.
What topics are covered in the analysis of "JFK"?
The analysis covers several key areas: the film's portrayal of Jim Garrison's investigation and the Warren Commission report; Stone's use of cinematic techniques (camera angles, editing, sound design) to influence audience perception; the manipulation of historical facts and fictional elements; the film's persuasive power and its impact on viewers' understanding of the assassination; and the role of witness testimonies in shaping historical narratives. A detailed analysis of a specific sequence featuring witness testimonies in Dealey Plaza is also included.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
The text explores themes such as the manipulation of historical facts in cinematic storytelling; the power of film to shape public perception; the effectiveness of cinematic techniques in persuasion; the portrayal of conspiracy theories in popular culture; and the interpretation of witness testimonies in historical narratives. The role of cultural memory and political paranoia are also considered.
What is the structure of the text?
The text is structured into four main sections: an introduction providing context and outlining the objectives; a section detailing the cultural narrative presented in "JFK"; a section analyzing Stone's cinematic methods; and a detailed analysis of a specific scene focusing on witness testimonies in Dealey Plaza. It also includes a table of contents, a list of objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is the main argument or thesis of the text?
The main argument is that Oliver Stone's "JFK" constructs a powerful cultural narrative about the assassination of JFK, using specific cinematic techniques to persuade the viewer of a particular—and potentially controversial—interpretation of the events. The analysis aims to dissect how these techniques function to achieve this persuasive effect.
What specific cinematic techniques are analyzed in the text?
The text analyzes a range of cinematic techniques, including camera angles, editing (especially the use of color and black-and-white footage), sound design, and pacing. The analysis demonstrates how these techniques are used strategically to influence the audience's emotional response and interpretation of the witness testimonies.
What role do witness testimonies play in the film and the analysis?
Witness testimonies are central to both the film and the analysis. The text examines how Stone presents these testimonies, highlighting the manipulation of context and visual/auditory effects to create a specific narrative that supports the film's overall argument about a conspiracy.
Who are the key figures mentioned in the text?
Key figures include John F. Kennedy, Oliver Stone, Jim Garrison (whose investigation is central to the film's narrative), and the members of the Warren Commission.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: John F. Kennedy assassination, Oliver Stone, JFK (film), conspiracy theories, Warren Commission, Jim Garrison, cinematic techniques, docudrama, historical narrative, witness testimonies, Dealey Plaza, cultural memory, political paranoia.
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- Michael Schmid (Autor:in), 2004, The narrative of the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Oliver Stone's movie 'JFK', illustrated with the help of one short sequence , München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/66503
