American Propaganda As Seen In The Film “Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011)

Raka Elda Meyfian

Abstract


The purpose of writing this article is to explain that the role of propaganda is crucial in influencing someone to judge whether an event or history is good or bad. Propaganda has the power to frame narratives, influencing how individuals interpret and judge events in their historical contexts. It molds our understanding by selectively highlighting aspects that serve specific agendas, thereby integrating its messages into our daily lives almost unnoticed. Various mediums serve as effective tools for disseminating propaganda, with film being a prominent example. Films can captivate vast audiences, making them ideal for conveying messages intended to sway opinions or reinforce ideologies. Today, access to films, whether through online platforms or traditional cinemas, facilitates widespread exposure to different forms of propaganda. Hollywood, for instance, distributes numerous films globally, including those portraying superhero themes which often resonate widely. Recent superhero films, such as "Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011) directed by Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, exemplify how entertainment intertwines with ideological messages. While such films offer heroic narratives that entertain audiences, they also subtly promote underlying agendas that may reflect American values or ideals. The choice of "Captain America" as a case study underscores how narratives can diverge from actual history, yet effectively convey persuasive messages that uphold certain nationalistic viewpoints. Audiences must critically engage with media beyond entertainment. Recognizing propaganda in popular culture heightens awareness of how narratives shape collective beliefs and perceptions. Films are not just escapism; they convey influential ideologies needing scrutiny.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Snow N. American propaganda: A scholarly and practitioner perspective (we need more study, not less). In: Propaganda, The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies. 2019 Nov 3.

Hornby AS. Film or movie. In: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Oxford University Press; 2006:950.

Creswell JW, Creswell JD. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mix Method Approaches. 5th ed. SAGE; 2018.

Pratkanis AR, Turner ME. Propaganda and persuasion. In: Pratkanis AR, Aronson E, editors. Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion. Freeman; 1992;190-191.

Alford M. A propaganda model for Hollywood. Papers of Communication and Culture. 2009 Nov 4.

Kornweibel T Jr. Humphrey Bogart's Sahara: Propaganda, cinema and the American character in World War II. Am Stud. 1981;22(1):5-19. Available from: https://journals.ku.edu/amsj/article/view/2632.

Dower JW. War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War. Pantheon Books; 1986.

Doherty T. Projections of War: Hollywood, American Culture, and World War II. Columbia University Press; 1993.

Hall RA, ed. The American Superhero: Encyclopedia of Caped Crusaders in History. ABC-CLIO; 2019.

Brooker W. Living on Dawson’s Creek: Teen viewers, cultural convergence, and television overflow. Int J Cult Stud. 2001;4(4):456-472.

Weiner RG, ed. Captain America and the Struggle of the Superhero: Critical Essays. McFarland; 2009.

Kennedy DM. Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945. Oxford University Press; 1999.

Robb DL. Hollywood's war with the Axis Powers: The movies and the message. J Am Hist. 2003;90(3):907-909.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.