Compare and Contrast Essay on Theme of Racism and Gender Roles in Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom

Introduction

Films have a significant role in representing some of the themes the society is facing in a creative and critical manner. Some of the American films that have successfully addressed some of the societal issues in American society include Dear White People (2014) and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). Although the two films are produced at two different periods in history, some of the themes addressed in the films interrelate in the two films, although having a different approach. Notably, the two films belong to different genres and based on different cultural setting. While Dear White People is a provocative satirical comedy-drama film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is an Action-adventure film. Apart from the difference in genre, and definitely their production, the setting is also totally different from each other. While the setting of Dear White People is an American college setting, the setting in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is Shanghai, China, and India. Despite these differences, the two films address the theme of racism and gender roles from two different perspectives.

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The two films are produced as independent films and by a major Hollywood studio. On one side, Dear White People was produced independently in 2014, before it was later adopted by Netflix from a movie into a television series while adopting the same name. It is key to understand what the term independent film means in this context ("How Do I Get My Film into Distribution?"). Notably, an independent film is generally produced outside a major mainstream studio system, and its production and distribution are done by independent entertainment companies as opposed to the studio system. Differentiating an independent film and a major studio film is generally done through consideration of the style and content. It is a difficult task to always categorize as either independent or not, especially where one has no prior knowledge of the production details. In the case of these two films, identifying which category both falls into would only be aided through understanding how the films were released and distributed. For example, Dear White People, before its adoption by Netflix, had theoretical releases in 2014. On the basis of this finding, it would fall on the category of independent films, as independent films first undergo retail or theatrical releases before distribution. On the other hand, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was produced as a prequel to the film, Raiders of the Lost Ark. It would have been hard to categorize the film as either independent or studio release, especially based on the time flame it was produced, where the age of independents was not developed. However, the re-release of the film in later years would help categorize it as first an independent film, and later a mainstream studio film.

One of the overlapping themes in both films is the theme of race, and how racial stereotypes are presented in the films. First, one would argue that Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is an entire racist, based on the fact that the characters and the different races presented in the film are based on stereotypes. Notably, some stereotypes are clearly evident from the onset of the movie. Indians, for example, are presented as either member of sadists' cults or poor villagers who are an inaccurate representation of the Indian culture then and even in the present. Further, the English people are seen as bumbling upper-class fools, the Nazi's as very evil, the French as sleazy lotharios and the Chinese as devious and inscrutable(Oldham). These are just some of the stereotypes clearly evident in the film. Such misrepresentation of different races may form a misconception of race roles not only in the US but all over the world. On the other hand, Dear White People also depicts a series of stereotypes, especially in relation to black people. Notably, the first season, which produced during the Obama era explored topics such as black identity, racism, and the post-racial society myth. Later seasons, such as season two, produced under Trump administration explores topics such as white supremacy and to some extent effects of racial trauma psychologically. Generally, the film challenges stereotypes of the conventional understanding of what it is to be black. It depicts black people are violent, and having an innate Negro attribute (Nast). In one of the Halloween party within the college, the theme adopted is "unleash your inner negro," which only escalates the feeling of resentment and misunderstanding among the students.

Another astonishing theme in both films is the representation of gender identities in relation to masculinity and femininity. In the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom film, two characters are presented in a juxtaposed representation depicting different understanding of gender identities. The characters in this context are one female, Wilhelmina (Kate Capshaw) who is a nightclub singer who engages in a dangerous adventure. However, the film depicts her incompetence and naivety in comparison to other male travelers, such as Jones. The film humiliates her on the basis of her femininity for comic effect (Oldham). It shows no effort of bridging the gender gap in society at this time. On the other hand, Dear White People portrays women as real heroes of social justice in particular. Two characters, in particular, Sam and Coco, in their friendship represent women with a strong sense of femininity (Ugwu). Sam, in particular, becomes an activist who defies all odds of what it is, not just to be black, but also to be a woman (Nast). As opposed to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom film, these women represent a different version of femininity, that which is based on strength and resilience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the two films are a greater representation of the American culture on the subject of racism and gender identity. Notably, the two movies have different settings, and thus represent the same societies in two different time frames. Race stereotypes are clearly seen in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom film on how it represents the Indian culture, the Chinese people, and the European people. On the other hand, Dear White People represents a society with negative stereotypes on being black but also challenges them and fighting such stereotypes. While femininity in the former is characterized by naivety and incompetence, the latter represents women who are strong and who are the real champions of social justice.

Works Cited

"How Do I Get My Film into Distribution?" Independent Cinema Office, www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/advice-support/how-do-i-get-my-film-into-distribution/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2019.

Nast, Conde. "'Dear White People' Is Giving Us the Black Queer Representation We Need." Them, 17 May 2018, www.them.us/story/dear-white-people-second-season. Accessed 28 Mar. 2019.

Oldham. "Gender Roles and Sexual Politics in Hollywood Action Movie Cycles of the 1980s and 1990s." Welcome to the University of Warwick, warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/iatl/reinvention/issues/volume2issue1/oldham/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2019.

Ugwu, Reggie. "Why the Creator of 'Dear White People? Is Doubling Down on Identity Politics." Breaking News, World News & Multimedia - The New York Times, 23 Oct. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/05/02/arts/television/dear-white-people-creator-doubles-down-on-identity-politics.html. Accessed 28 Mar. 2019.