Does The President Affect Movies Made At The Time?
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Does The President Affect Movies Made At The Time?

You know who we're talking about.

17
Does The President Affect Movies Made At The Time?
Martien

With the Trump presidency in loom, several factors of American culture are thinking about how they're going to be changed under the new administration, the movie business included. But let's not reinvent the wheel. Have movies in the past been affected by the presidency?

In terms of the actual distribution and allowance of movies, this isn't much the case. Of course, in the 60s with the wave of New Hollywood, movies started to get more risque, but much of that can be thanks to the social revolutions at the time taken under wing from the Johnson presidency. Despite how much we feel oppressed, we live in a country with a lot of freedoms.

So when it comes to the actual content? I usually split this into two pieces: social messages an period pieces. Period pieces like Adventureland and even Boyhood seem to go out of their way to highlight the administration at the time and its impact. This commonly happens with movies that take place in an earlier date, but a period piece doesn't necessarily mean that it only has to do with a specific period. Hollywood Cinema tends to focus on International, universal messages, while Independent goes to National issues, and several these "slice-of-life" films tend to deal with how people are affected at the ground level. For example, 2013's Frances Ha is an intimate look at how increasing tuition and college debt is affecting twenty-somethings in America today and how they cope with this. With different priorities, movies like these wouldn't be.

And then there are social issues. Some movies deal with an issue that the current president is a part of. Platoon is an interesting film because it is both a period piece and a film dealing with a social issue: the Vietnam war. Without Kennedy and Johnson, this movie obviously wouldn't be a thing, especially since it's loosely based on director Oliver Stone's experience in Vietnam.

Which segues me to my final point: presidents affect movies only if it affects the makers of these movies. It's no surprise that minority filmmakers often deal with issues surrounding minorities because that's what they've gone through. It's like one of the main writer rules: write what you know. Having this in mind, with a Trump presidency looming, you'll be sure to see many social issue films, and definitely more The Big Short-esque docu-dramedies, as it seems like the likes of satirical news haven't been as popular as it is now. Satirical news: definitely dependent on the president. Just ask Jon Stewart about the George W. Bush presidency.

With such an outspoken president-elect that seems to tantalize the media, Trump-based films might overeclipse any other past president--except for Lincoln, I guess. But no matter what happens these next few years, at least we have the movies.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52308
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33611
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956390
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181260
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments