Postcolonialism/Gilroy
The Connery era: In the James Bond wedding scene, a marriage ceremony—of great cultural significance to the Japanese—is taking place. However, James Bond and his companion (both white) don't seem to take the ceremony seriously, even though it's being carefully executed by the Japanese. While bowing is part of Japanese culture and tradition, the fact that the prospective brides have to climb stairs and bow before the man who could be their husband while waiting to be chosen reinforces the white man's perceived superiority. In addition to the brides being rejected based on their appearance at first glance, the entire ceremony is a mockery for James and his companions. In this case, racial hierarchy is reflected through the perceived superiority of the white man, while the other culture and its population (Japan) are ridiculed and portrayed as 'inferior'.
The Moore era: In 'Let Live and Let Die', the white man is portrayed as the hero, and Black people are ridiculed in many ways, for example, by being depicted as the enemy. White supremacy is a key theme in the scene; Black people are ridiculously 'defeated' by the white man (the hero) and ridiculed as a 'comic escape'. In the excerpt, Black people are also responsible for the 'kidnapping' of a white woman (damsel in distress). Black people are the enemy, the object of ridicule, and clearly labeled as 'others' -portrait a s part of a cult with malicious intentions. This is not only disrespectful but also intentional and thinly veiled racism, a form of harm for Black people.
The Brosnan era: In 'Die Another Day', the character portrayed as the enemy is not only Asian but also highlighted as different or 'the other' (having prosthetics and makeup, I suppose he's some kind of mutant or character with powers), in contrast to the white man who 'doesn't need powers because he's already too cool and better just for being him'
The Craig era: In Skyfall, the sniper is sent on a dangerous mission. In the "take the shot" scene, the woman who appears to be the boss (a white woman, like most of those in the office department) orders her to take the risk, even though it could lead to the sniper killing the wrong person if she makes a mistake. She orders her to take the risk while she's in her office and not at the scene doing the "dirty work." The boss won't bear the emotional burden if the sniper makes a mistake. By rigidly insisting that she make a decision quickly, she's emphasizing her superiority.
No comments:
Post a Comment