Usually, a movie is a motion picture that has been produced for entertainment or educational purposes. But movies can also be used for other purposes, such as for documentaries. And although it is still a term of art, film is also used by non-English speaking European countries.
Themes in films are often a reflection of the political and social climate at a particular time. Themes may be nostalgic, realistic or escapist.
Themes can be created by the director and reflected in the society that is being portrayed. For example, a movie can have a theme of “don’t trust anyone”. The theme could be based on a realistic character or on the current society.
During the 1940s, the decade of World War II, people were worried about the Axis powers winning and their families being torn apart. The economy was also suffering and the labor force had to adjust to a tough economic situation.
The 1950s were a period of suburbanization, the Korean Conflict and the Cold War. In addition, there was a rise in McCarthyism. The movie industry was a target of the Hollywood blacklist. The Second Red Scare also occurred during this time.
The mid-1960s saw a drastic change in American society. Many factors influenced this change, including a new political climate and the rise of television.
During this time, women started to play a more important role in movies. The acting style and depiction of characters began to change, with more realistic portrayals of the characters.