The Moral Responsibility of Film

I write this in the wake of the massacre at the Colorado cinema, in respect for those that died I will also be delaying a piece on the Dark Knight Rises.

[SPOILER ALERT] A while ago I discussed the emotional disconnect that is becoming ever apparent in films, yesterday whilst at a showing of the DKR I witnessed this first hand. The scene opened with Batman and Catwomen heading through the sewers and continues with Batman's first confrontation with Bane. As the Bat was being brutally beaten the scene becomes emotional and serious, the violence is meant to shock and is emotionally anchored to ensure full effect. It is perhaps one of the best scene in the film, in this respect. But behind me, a women giggled. As the scene continued I realized that this women was giggling at the film, she was laughing as Bane twisted the proverbial knife ever deeper, she misconstrued every word, every image, every moment as a sarcastic joke. 

The pattern of big budget blockbusters fueled by explosions, violence and death, with little or no regard for morality or human life is far too prominent in film today. Films should be a break from reality but the destruction of an entire city should not be complimented by sarcastic wit, they should at least contain some acknowledgement, some morsel of respect for human life. One of the saddest things about this weeks shooting is Nolan's Batman has always been one of the great mainstream exceptions, the Dark Knight always emphasized a moral responsibility, whether that be to the people of Gotham, or the people in the audience, any violence was always met with a semi-realistic ethical dimension that so many contemporary blockbusters lack. As the debate begins over the effects of movie violence, we wait to here whether or not James Holmes was inspired by a film or perhaps some misguided political ideology, what ever the outcome I think it is safe to say his motives were catalyzed by insanity and delusion.

I think whether his motive includes a film or not, this incident provides an opportunity for change and reform. Iv said before that I completely oppose the colonial qualities of family orientated entertainment, and of course it is wong to desensitize children too early in life, but I think if you are going to make a film that contains violence and is going to be viewed by broad age ranges, then you have the responsibility to ensure your film has at least some moral essence. When a police officer dies, you remember his family, when you blow up a building, you do not forget about the people inside, when a crazed gunman massacres 12 and injures 58, you remember that a caped crusader isn't always there to save the day.

Film is perhaps the most beautiful and effective form of art and communication that we have, and its about time it was used responsibly. Sadly the idea that anything will actually change is about as misguided as James Holmes. Maybe it could be achieved in some imaginary world, projected on to the big screen, but this is reality and in real world there is a far greater lack of moral responsibility than film could ever have. There is however one thing both worlds do posses and it is always present, and that is hope. Whilst we have that, and much like film, anything is possible.