Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by TG (i) on July 11, 2000 at 16:35:29:

In Reply to: It's the Anti-establishment lifestyle! posted by edta on July 11, 2000 at 12:53:50:

Yes, I think I'd go along with that. Up to the mid 1950s, films which criticised society were really examining and condemning a particular facet of the prevailing culture, but not denigrating the culture as a whole. I'm thinking of "The Grapes of Wrath" as typical here - the background culture is portrayed as sound (indeed, longed-for), but elements of the culture (eg the authorities' reaction to the depression & its effects on the common man) are criticised.

After the mid 50s, however, a more fundamental theme of disenchantment with society as a whole becomes common, and it's not surprising that this theme was exulted in many films produced during the high-point of the counter-culture movement & student protest in the 1960s & 70s.

Movies about beatniks? Hmmm. Can't think of any offhand (or was there an Elvis film with beatnik characters?). Probably most anything depicting beats would either be stereotype, exploitation or maybe the occasional jazz documentary. Anything not made as an independent production by the people themselves would probably have little credibility.

Interesting thread :^)

TG