Ideology

Ideology in film refers to the underlying belief system, moral codes, political outlook, and values that a movie implicitly or explicitly communicates.
Films are often read as reflections and critiques of the society and era in which they are produced and may either challenge or reinforce social norms.
This can be done through various elements such as characters, plot, dialogue, cinematographic techniques, editing, and mise-en-scène.

“The Dark Knight” (2008) presents an ideological debate on anarchy versus order, symbolised by the Joker and Batman respectively.
In “Get Out” (2017), the ideology of racial inequality and racial stereotypes are explored, where the protagonist challenges the racist victimisation of black people.
“Wall-E” (2008) demonstrates environmentalist ideologies and critiques consumer culture.

When analysing ideology, it is important to examine how the film aligns with or challenges broader socio-political beliefs and values, and what impact this may have on audience interpretation.
Pay attention to how characters embody certain ideological beliefs. What values are promoted or criticised through their actions, words, and fates?
Analyse how certain events and conflicts within the plot may represent larger ideological debates or issues.
Direct explicit references to particular political, cultural, or societal themes can also be indicators of the film’s ideology.

The ideologies presented in films can influence how audiences perceive and understand social dynamics, groups, individuals, and issues.
Exploring ideological devices allows a nuanced understanding of the film as a cultural and social artefact.
Films with contrasting ideologies often incite debates in the audience, which further emphasises the film’s cultural significance in shaping societal beliefs and attitudes.