Mississippi Burning by Alan Parker

           Mississippi Burning is rather a controversial movie of olden times when racial discrimination is still at large. It takes place in the Southern part of America where there were different races living amongst each other in the year 1964 when the Civil Rights Movement took place. This particular movie takes place in the town of Mississippi where racial instability is intense and together in the setting of a cult known as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) whom opposes equal rights among the minorities such as the Blacks. I find this movie to educational and intense because it reflects the dispute between different races and the fight of a better cause such as equal rights. It really portrays the intricacies and the fragility of a multi-racial society to a remarkable extent.

This movie discusses about two FBI agents whom are sent to investigate a series of murders in the town of civil right workers. Two of the protagonists have different views about how to investigate the case. I think this is a smart detailing because it depicts that there are multiple ways to solve a murder instead of the direct approach and also to use, which truly is dependent on the setting.  It also shows the necessity to use unorthodox methods to solve a crime especially when dealing with lies of the local authority and also important figures who are involved in the murder. This movie also managed to depict the struggle of the minority during that time and also the struggle of the whites that supported such a move and dare not do it openly due to aggressiveness of the extremist group such as KKK. For instance, the deputy sheriff assaulted his own wife for exposing details on locations to the FBI.

In my belief, the aggressiveness of the extremist group (KKK) and the series of murders, actually strengthen the resolve for peace by the general population. The irony of instead by using fear to go against the Civil Rights Movement, I believe they are actually one of the catalyst that aid the success of this movement. 

Forget Paris by Billy Crystal

                

           Forget Paris described the love story between Mickey and Ellen. Just like any ordinary romantic movie, Mickey and Ellen met each other in French and fell in love in Paris, the city of love. After getting to know each other in beautiful weekend, they were deeply in love with each other. Despite the distance and difficulty that they face, Mickey and Ellen decided to get married. However, unlike their dating time, married life was not as blissful as they thought. There are various issues that they have to take into consideration, learn to tolerate in order for their relationship to work out.

Unlike other chick flick, Forget Paris depicted conflicts that many couples would eventually face in certain stage of their relationship. Personally I like the issues that were raised in this movie. In fact it reminds me of my relationship because most of the conflicts does present in my own relationship. By taking the struggles that Mickey and Ellen faced in their relationship, it gave me a sense of reality. To me it is important to take all ups and downs into consideration instead of generalizing all relationship as happy and as long as you found the one you love the most in your life, you will be able to live happily ever after just like what fairy tales says. This element of practicality is important because movie has great influence over the audience. By selectively screening the most fruitful part of a romantic relationship and ignoring the routine fighting that a couple might have, a movie could prime the audience and lead them to unrealistic belief such as ‘love is the best thing in the world’, ‘nothing is impossible with love’, ‘as long as you love me, you will never fight with me’, etc. This unrealistic belief then could play a role in all the misery, sadness and dissatisfaction face by the couple these days. It could also mislead the adolescence thus make them susceptible to the lies that they were told. 

Whale Rider by Niki Caro

Whale Rider focuses mainly on the topic of gender discrimination by linking it to the Maori’s tribe. It depicted the experience of Koro, the tribe chief’s struggle in seeking for the next leader. Koro’s granddaughter, Paikea who was name after the great ancestor of Maori demonstrated a strong interest toward the tribe’s tradition. However her enthusiasm was not appreciated by Koro because he insisted that only a male can take the leader position and guide the tribe. Female is perceived to be less valuable as compared to guy and this is similar in the real life.  

Even though the issues of gender stereotype and gender discrimination has receive enormous amount of attention in recent years, is has not been resolve well. There are certain forms of discrimination that are still existed in our daily practice, unfortunately.  Despite the constant attempts in today’s society in demanding for gender equality, there are discriminations that we deem to be ‘normal’ that exist which we should address. One of the examples of that would be the phenomenon of ‘glass ceiling effect’ that exists in the working world. Many female in my family side has sort of accepted the fact that being a female will never get promoted. Instead of viewing this as a form of discrimination, they perceive this phenomenon as something ‘normal’. Unlike them, Paikea does not give in to what she was told. Even though she was scolded and warned by her grandfather to not mess with the traditions, she silently followed Koro’s class and acquired the knowledge that she desire.

I cherish Paikea’s courage in holding onto her own belief. This is something precious that we should learn in our life. Instead of obeying the rules that were set upon us, we need to constantly question ourselves on the rules to make sure that it is worthwhile to follow.