Good Morning and Welcome to Coast to Coast I'm Joey Macasieb.
Top story today surrounds the new release of the film Fame inspired both by an older film and a stage musical.
While on the surface, Fame may appear to be another attempt at the shallow (and incredibly vile) High School Musical, Fame actually carries a lot more wait and in its music and presentation seeks to convey a message to audiences both young and old. Fame follows the story of a class of high schoolers attending a prestigious performing arts school in New York City. Through the four years covered by the film, we see a tale of strife and good times, of growing and maturing and most of all, learning what it means to be famous. The story of Fame is masterfully told through triumphant acting, dancing and singing giving the audience the feel of watching this story unfold as though it were on the stage.
Throughout the film, the music and story sought to convey a message which I found profound and utterly amazing considering the lack of intelligent film making today. The message of the movie was simple though in other ways complex. Fame tells its audiences to be who you are and always shoot for your dreams no matter what obstacles may seek to impede your path. This message is powerfully told through the movie as we see our young heroes on screen dealing with everything from parental opposition to scam artists.
Fame's core message made me think also on the state of LGBT youth in America today. Growing up as a Gay man in southern California was harder for me than most people may think. Heteronormative imagery and doctrine is still alive and well today and thrust upon American youth causing LGBT youth like myself to often feel as though we are not "normal" in the eyes of society. How does this concept relate to Fame? Fame carries the message of being who you are regardless of how the world or others sees you, an important message to LGBT youth. Though we are bombarded with images of male-female relationships and often condemned in often innocuous ways by our peers, we are just like anyone else. I say to all my fellow LGBT youth you are who you are and there is not a single need to be afraid of that.
My senior graduation ad in the 2008 copy of my high school year book contained a quote which read: "be who you are and say what you will because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind". I challenge our society to think on this quote and to relate it to the modern version of the film. I guarantee the two messages relate to one another quite well.
Thats all for today and remember whether you live on the east, west or gulf coast
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I haven't seen Fame yet, but I think dance movies are overdone. It seems as if they all have the same message, and generally the same thing happens. I've seen clips of the older Fame, but I'm still not convinced that I want to pay money to go see it. I can almost tell you everything that will happen from watching the commercials. Some kid's parents doesn't want them to pursue their dreams, a ballet dancer and a hip hop dancer fall in love, someone dies, and everyone does a big performance in the end. But, I am a fan of musicals...so I'll probably end up seeing it anyways. =)
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your statement about there being a lack of intelligent film making today. Perhaps they are not given the same publicity as huge blockbuster movies, but I think there are just as many intelligent films out there as vacuous ones. I would even argue that 'intelligent' film-making has actually thrived in recent years since the introduction of large multiplex cinemas… Now theaters have more screens, which allows them to show more specialist/independent/intelligent films than ever before.
ReplyDeleteI must agree with Sheldon. I have seen lots more intelligent films than blockbuster hits. You are only paying attention to the movies you see publicly advertised on TV or Magazines . Most of these intelligent films happen to be Independent Movies that are only screened at film festivals or on IFC, the independent film channel network channel. How about you try taking at look at those places and maybe you would be more satisfied.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I disagree most with your message inspired by the movie. What you drew from the film is completely true, but at the same time, the big picture in "Fame" is that hard work and dedication is what puts people in higher positions. One of the first few lines of the movie: "You want fame? Well, fame costs." It takes a lot to make it big: finding your talent, honing it, perfecting it, publicizing it. Compare the 1980 version to the 2009 version and you will see that very message portrayed. Regardless of the times, it's hard to make it big. Out of 10,000 applicants...I can't remember the number...500 make it? Maybe?
ReplyDeleteEven the dumbest films have a message:
Dodgeball - in times of hardship, we must endure and eventually prevail.
The Master of Disguise - You can do anything when you put your mind to it.
Gigli - Avoid casting Jennifer Lopez at all costs.
Every director shows us a message. Granted, there can be multiple, this is what I gathered most out of it. There are messages amongst it, but the hardships of becoming famous create the central outline of the story.