The overall research question that this paper intends to answer is the following: How do Hollywood movies such as "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" represent people of color, and how does that influence our perception of reality? At the end of the paper, this question will be answered, and certain solutions will be discussed.
To exemplary analyze the under-representation of people of color and how they are stereotyped in Hollywood movies, a case study on "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" will be conducted. The paper will analyze certain scenes in which actors of color are involved, and will then examine how they are represented in comparison to Caucasian actors.
Furthermore, the paper gives some more background information about the current debate focussing on the non-diversity of the Academy Awards - better known as Oscars - and about casting practices that are performed by big Hollywood studios. In addition to that, it will present the most common stereotypes in which people of color are depicted.
The Academy Awards - most commonly known as ‘Oscars’ - are heavily criticized for their lack of diversity. In the year 2016, for the second time in a row, the Academy’s 93 percent white membership had only nominated white actors for the respective awards. In addition to that, it has now been 15 years ago that the last actor/actress of color has won an Academy Award for best the best leading role. The under-representation of people of color in movies and the board’s racist electoral behavior becomes even clearer when focussing on actresses of color.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Background Chapter: Non-diversity at the Academy Awards, Problematic Casting Practices and Stereotyping
- Framework and cinematic categories
- Main Chapter
- Summary and General Information: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- Case Study: The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the underrepresentation of people of color in Hollywood movies and how their portrayal contributes to the perception of reality. It uses "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" as a case study to examine the representation of people of color in a popular fantasy film.
- The underrepresentation of people of color in Hollywood movies
- The role of stereotypical representation in shaping perceptions of race
- The impact of media consumption on cultural understanding
- The connection between media representation and societal hegemony
- The need for greater diversity and representation in the film industry
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The introduction sets the stage by discussing Spike Lee's boycott of the 2016 Oscars and the ongoing issue of racial inequality in Hollywood. It highlights the lack of diversity in film roles and the problematic ways in which people of color are often depicted.
- The background chapter delves into the lack of diversity at the Academy Awards, analyzing the historical exclusion of actors and actresses of color. It examines the #OscarsSoWhite movement and the Academy's efforts to address the issue. The chapter also discusses problematic casting practices and the prevalence of stereotypical portrayals of people of color in Hollywood movies.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores key themes including representation of people of color, diversity in Hollywood, stereotypical portrayals, media hegemony, critical race studies, and "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring". The study analyzes the impact of media representation on cultural understanding and explores the need for greater inclusivity and representation in the film industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are people of color represented in "Lord of the Rings"?
The paper analyzes how people of color are often under-represented or depicted using common stereotypes compared to Caucasian actors in the film.
What is the significance of the #OscarsSoWhite movement?
The movement highlights the lack of diversity at the Academy Awards, where for years only white actors were nominated despite diverse talent in the industry.
How does media representation influence our perception of reality?
Stereotypical portrayals in movies can shape cultural understanding and reinforce societal hegemony and racial biases in everyday life.
What are problematic casting practices in Hollywood?
These include "whitewashing" or casting people of color primarily in roles that reinforce negative or limited societal stereotypes.
Why is diversity in the film industry important?
Greater inclusivity ensures a more accurate reflection of society and helps dismantle systemic racism within media and culture.
What solutions are discussed for better representation?
The paper discusses the need for systemic changes in casting, board diversity at award institutions, and more nuanced storytelling for actors of color.
- Quote paper
- Nico Röhrs (Author), 2021, Representation of People of Color in "Lord of the Rings", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1160384
