"Running head: MOVIE REVIEW 1Movie ReviewNameInstitutionPerfect examples of the movies that have been used to address the occurrences that havetranspired in history include “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter” and “The Red Lantern.” MOVIE REVIEW 2IntroductionThe media has, on numerous occasions been used to communicate to the audience on aseries of issues. That includes featuring the history, politics and other social aspects of thesociety. Movies are a perfect example of the use of media to communicate to the audience. Theaudience does not necessarily have to be domestic. It can also include the audience from theinternational community. Perfect examples of the movies that have been used to address theoccurrences that have transpired in history include “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter”and “The Red Lantern.” Usually, it becomes easier to understand that it becomes easier tocommunicate an idea or concept through the media as compared to most other approaches. In abid to ascertain this, the paper intends to conduct a detailed analysis of the provided movies. Theanalysis of the movie will be focused on some aspects including the history and politics reflectedin the movies. Further, a comparative analysis will be conducted between the two films by thethemes and structure. Most importantly, an analysis of the characters will also be conducted toinfluence substantial comparison between the two movies. A Review of the MoviesFirst, in a bid to conduct a substantial review on both movies, an overview of the history,politics and character roles in the movies is conducted on an individual basis. However, beforemaking any assertion, it is imperative to denote that both movies are based on a feministideology. However, the two address different historical prospects from the different countries in MOVIE REVIEW 3which women took a different role than they were perceived to considering that there werefrequent stereotypes regarding their nature of femininity. Below are a detailed summary andanalysis of the historical context of the movies. Movie 1: The Life and Times of Rosie the RiveterThe film is one renowned historical movie which was filmed and showed on television inthe year 1988. It is stipulated to be the first movie that Connie Field ever made featuring theAmerican Women who went to work during the world war II, a responsibility that was entirelyconsidered to be a men?s job. It is the year 1996, according to research, that the movie wasconsidered prime for preservation in the National Film Registry (NFR) in the United States(Aitken, 2013). It was stipulated to possess cultural, historical and aesthetical significance. In abid to affirm the cultural history incorporated into the movie. The paper provides a detailedanalysis of the movie from a historical perspective. Historical analysis of the movie The film can be said to have explored the large scale entry of the American women intothe labor force. They earned similar salaries as those given to the men and even undertook thesame tasks that the men had been engaging in before the World War II. It particularly focuses onthe role played by the women in the United States during the war as their men were engaging infights abroad (Chambers & Culbert, 1996). It takes into an account the experiences of the womenwho were left to work. That implies that despite the fact that the movie takes into an account theexcellent role played by the women, it also demonstrates the agony shared by the women whohad to shed their roles in the society to represent the men.MOVIE REVIEW 4Historically, women in the American society and the world at large were known toexperience a top notch of discrimination by the femininity. However, the film intensively focuseson how it came to be that the women were empowered in the society through been greater levelsof income. Also, the film features the high level of empowerment through engaging in thechallenging working environment that men were the only ones who were believed to tackle themeasily. As such, the film features a historical thesis of empowerment where the women wereexpected to assume the responsibility of complex task away from their previous status of beinghomemakers. A great extent of the film that was documented by Molly Haskell in the book “FromReverence to Rape” shows footages of the early women engaging in jobs in factories. From ahistorical perspective, the women were considered to be partners in winning the World War II.The concept is well established in the film considering that they acted as a substitute, andeffective ones at that in playing the roles that their husband played before going to war.Arguably, the hard, skilled labor affiliated with the women is well established by the concept of“Rosie the Riveter.” She is depicted to have been a female laborer who worked in the factory. Inthe context of this expanded horizon of life opportunities, as well as, confidence and increasedlife skills amongst the women, the role of the woman became even more vital in the world war.However, just like it is stipulated in the film, the women were expected to give up these jobsafter the males returned. The „Rosies?, as explained in the film which featured from differentstates in the United States, elaborates their displeasure with them being considered irrelevantafter the war. A phrase, “Invisible working women” could have applied to them (Aitken, 2013). MOVIE REVIEW 5The movie is developed in such a manner that it incorporates narrations of differentwomen explaining their experiences as Rosies during the world war (Chambers & Culbert,1996). A detailed analysis of the actual history of America shows that these women depict theutmost truth about the actual things that transpired during that historical moment. Former fiveRosies who express their moving histories of working in Los Angeles, New York, San Franciscoand Detroit depict how everything was (Aitken, 2013). From an analytical perspective, thewomen stipulate the unpleasant experience that they get considering that much of what theyexperienced was interwoven with films and even music that shows an entirely different thingfrom what they experienced. That means that the history of women partnering to win the worldWar is disregarded in a variety of ways as women were expected to return to their initial positionas feminine figures in the society.Political aspect of the film A series of political stances are experienced in the film. First, it is viewed as agovernment initiative to incorporate the women in the task force as their husbands join the armyto fight for the country (Chambers & Culbert, 1996). In fact, it also facilitates that process wherethe women are empowered and even rewarded at the same rate as the men when carrying out thetasks in the factories and others in the armed forces. In fact, posters are used stipulating that thewomen should do the job left behind. However, politics play the role again when the war is over.The guarantees offered to the women that they would continue to work after the men hadresumed their positions in the economy were disregarded. Instead, the initial level ofdiscrimination from a sexual and racial discrimination. Analytically, that can be considered to bea consummately skillful way of articulating a very imperative political issue through an extreme MOVIE REVIEW 6sense of humor. The political arena takes part is failing to consider the role played by thewomen. “Rosies” during the world war (Chambers & Culbert, 1996). In fact, it assists in creatingand endorsing of films and other modes of communication that would talk less of what thewomen did in the society. However, the film sustains a profound political message; what working women gainedought not to have been relinquished. The film, therefore, provides a challenge to that politicalapproach that facilitates the loss of women?s history through recuperating it. Instead, ideologyhas been established. It underlines the official policy regarding the mobilization of the femalelaborers during the World War II. The misinformation provided under the sponsorship of thepolitical gigs is allegedly challenged by featuring the true story of the heroines. Character review In this field, “Rosie the Riveter” is the most considered fictional character (Aitken, 2013).The character is used to represent a wide range of women across the United States who filled inthe positions of the men who went to fight. The movie comprises of five women who engage in amoving interview. They are seen to be very eloquent in expressing their experience and theirdispleasure with the way the government failed to embrace and recognize their role in theeconomy. The women are said to have worked in a series of cities in welding shops, factories,and shipyards amongst other complex places. The movie features five women namely Gladys Belcher, Wanita Allen, Lyn Childs,Margaret Wright and Lola Weixel (Chambers & Culbert, 1996). One aspect that they share isthat they experience the transition of women empowerment and disempowerment during and MOVIE REVIEW 7after the World War II. According to their testimonies, they belonged to the hidden army thatgrew to approximately three million women. As such, they comprise “Rosie the Riveters” group.All also experienced the hard work in factory work, farming and family work. The characters,who are also the respondents in the movie constitute of the blacks and the whites. It is concisethat they all had a common purpose of joining the task force and even undertaking training to fitin effectively. All characters claim that they were disregarded after the war ended and the menresumed their positions in the economy. It is imperative to denote that all the women areconsidered to hail from different states in the United States. Hence, their expression mainlydepicts the experience of the numerous women based in America. Movie 2:Raise the Red LanternThe movie, Raise the Red Lantern, is a film featuring the Chinese social culture from ahistorical perspective and is applied in the contemporary trends in the society. Particularly, it isset in the year 1920s where the girl child or the woman in the society faces a series of challengesespecially in the context of marital issues (Ebert, 1992). The movie utilizes a number ofcharacters to depict the theme of prejudice amongst the women in the Chinese society. Further,the theme of feminism is also reflected in the paper. Particularly, the historical Confucius aspectsare well preempted in the storyline of the film. Historical Review The film is a monumental piece of media that provides a briefing of the Chinese historyin terms of sociology and culture to the audience. It provides a history and overview of themyriad experiences that the women face in the Chinese society. In that context, the movie by MOVIE REVIEW 8Zhang Yimuo provides a storyline of women?s life that are confined in the Chinese territory, aconcept borrowed from the ancient tradition of the Chinese. Featuring the character, Songlian,the movies provides a precinct of the history of China as far as polygamy and engineeredmarriages are concerned. The concept of the history of power in women in this particular society is raised in thefilm. Particularly, one character, Songlian, attempts to differentiate herself from the norm of hersociety. From a traditional perspective, it was considered that the women had minimal power inthe Chinese culture. Analytically, from a Confucianism perspective, the film focuses on thecultural constraints that are incorporated in the Chinese society. Most importantly, the history ofthe deep culture of the Chinese people is depicted. The film, “Raise the Red Lantern depicts thehistorical trends of a Chinese life (Ebert, 1992). It is characterized by stifling and constructivesanheyuan, or even the Chinese courtyard house and the rules that apply in that setting. Theserules, as stipulated in the film, have been existent in the families for generations. Women were never expected to venture beyond the enclosed walls of their homes. Yes,they were expected to feel appreciated in their own homes.The rule was expected to offerprotection to the women were from a logical perspective, it was an infringement of any freedomfor the woman in the Chinese society (Raise the Red Lantern, 1992). According to the film, thefour women may have a languished life within their home. However, in reality, they are likehorses in their lives. The Idyllic setting stipulated in the film stipulates that the culture ofinfighting has been and is still prevalent in the society. There was and still exists a web of deceitby the maids and the wives with was essentially impenetrable.MOVIE REVIEW 9The history of power is also manifested in the film. For instance the fetishes areestablished to be replete in the film, Raise the Red Lantern. Particularly, the foot massageremains to be the remaining cultural trends that signifies a sense of power. The history ofsubmission amongst the women to their husbands. Despite the fact that the protagonist in thefilm is favored by the master, it is still made clear that she should not underestimate the essenceof the foot massage. In the Chinese traditions, as stipulated in the society, the women is assumedparadoxically as the mechanism through which man in the society achieves his wholeness. According to the historical culture of Chinese manifested in the film, there is ametonymic relationship that exists between the woman?s feet and sexuality. Further, there areother symbolic elements depicted in the film including the flute that signifies the extent to whichthe female actors including Songliang are deprived of the benefit affiliated with education.According to the film, Songlian is emasculated toward the level of other ordinary and unlearnedwives. Massive culture representation is depicted in the historical aspect of the film (Raise theRed Lantern, 1992). Political Review Politics in the film, “Raise the Red Lantern”, are depicted in the context of the facts thatthe home is hierarchical in nature. Further, the political element is further exemplified in thecontext that the family or home is bound by the customs, rules, and tradition. From a scholarlyperspective, Colin Hay argued that politics are affiliated with the concept of distribution, as wellas, aftermaths of power (Ebert, 1992).MOVIE REVIEW 10First, in consideration of the commencing scene of the film, the concept of power is ofgreat essence especially when it comes to assessing the relationship that exists between themaster and the mistress. From a political attitude, the patriarchal shape of the Chinese homepower is bestowed upon the master who's masculine in gender (Zhu & Rosen, 2010). Whichmeans that the politics of this culture automate electricity the male gender. Elements along withthe mistress having to behavior a foot massage, a choice made by using the master suggest thatshe has minimal power over her life. Also, the movie depicts different scenarios where the girleats what the man comes to a decision she needs to eat.The politics affiliated to the Chinese home depict a series of actors and their position inthe hierarchy of power which is determined by a set of rules, traditions, and customs. The actorsare seen attempting to defy these rules are ultimately made to face the consequences of theirconducts. Yang is made to kneel on the snow. Meisham is hand secretly in one of the rooms atthe top of the building (Raise the Red Lantern, 2016).Also, the protagonist, Songlian fails towin her master's attention after allegedly lying to him. Another element depicted in the movies that are affiliated to family or home politics isthat of competition. Women in the society are said to engage in a competition for the femalecounterparts (Raise the Red Lantern, 2016). Particularly, that includes the scenario where thewomen or mistresses to the master engage in a series of competitions for their masters. Songlianand the other mistresses engage in an active and severe competition seeking leadership regardingwho is more preferred by the master than the other. In this case, the element of politics andpower in the film is exhumed by the nature of competition between the mistresses? shows howpolitical families are within the represented community (Raise the Red Lantern, 2016). The same MOVIE REVIEW 11applies to the relationship that exists between the mistresses and the servants in the homefeatured in the film. The mistresses bear a higher rank as compared to the workers in theHomestead. Unfortunately, the power ranks are used in an inappropriate manner. The mistresses canengage in activities and later blame them on the servants.A perfect example is that of Songlianand Yang. Songlian in this case where she implied to be pregnant resulted in her revealing thesecrets of Yang concerning the Red Lanterns in her room (Ebert, 1992). She knew that theservant would not resist or deny the charges leveled against her. The servants are recklessly dealtwith irrespective of whether they engaged in any wrongs. A set of examples exist. Yang is madeto kneel on the snow. Meisham is hand secretly in one of the rooms at the top of the building. Also, the protagonist, Songlian fails to win her master's attention after allegedly lying to him.Characters The film utilizes each character to develop the theme of feminism and prejudice.Particularly, the film lays out the characters with their specific roles and position in thetraditional home. These include the master, the four mistresses, the servants, the doctor andSonglian?s mother. They include Songlian, Meishan, Feipu, The Master, Dr. Gao, Yan?er,zhouyon, Yuru, Old Servant, Songlian's mother and the Housekeeper (Ebert, 1992). Songlian andthe other four mistresses depict an element where the women in the society are expected to besubmissive to their masters. Songlian, attempts to be a bit different each time trying to do thingsher own way. That includes the moment she joins the home without showing any kind ofresilience. Just because she is education, she does not have any position above the rest of thewomen. The same case applies to the other mistresses. The element of power, therefore, is well MOVIE REVIEW 12exemplified by all the actors as they attempt to show the nature and historical tradition of theChinese homes. The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter" Vs. "The Red Lantern" Comparative AnalysisAfter evaluating and analyzing the two movies on an individual basis, it is easy to depictthe similarities and differences that exist between the two movies. It is clear that both attempt toestablish a sociological and psychological aspect affiliated with the women in the society. Comparison from a Historical Perspective SimilaritiesIn both movies, the history shared is affiliated with the oppression of the women orunderestimation of the strength of the women in the society. That includes failing to empowerthem in all aspects of life apart from them being considered to be home keepers. For instance, inthe case of the film, “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter", the women were intensivelyrequested to join the labor force and replace the male workers who were to engage in the WorldWar (Chambers & Culbert, 1996). Particularly, the women being interviewed demonstrated thatthey engaged in all sorts of economic activities irrespective of the nature of the jobs. Accordingto them, they had been empowered both sociologically and even economically. They werecapable of performing outstandingly even in the absence of the male workers. However, after thewar, they are less appreciated and returned to their original roles as homemakers. In fact, thelegacy is erased by a series of political gigs making it hard for their efforts to be recognized evenin history.MOVIE REVIEW 13A similar account applies in the film "The Red Lantern." The women are highlyunrecognized or appreciated especially regarding their ability to contribute or exercise theirpotential even in their homes. For instance, Songlian attempts to distinguish herself for beingeducated and maybe demonstrate a higher level of understanding. However, the traditions andhome politics dictate otherwise as far as women are concerned. She is expected to hang aroundher home as the fourth mistress and serve him. The women in the home have very little powereven upon their lives. They are expected to offer feet massage as a requirement and not as anexpression of intimacy to their husbands or masters. That depicts a very complex historicalbackground for the Chinese society (Chambers & Culbert, 1996). A culture that has beenembraced for a long time in history still encroaches the personal privileges belonging to thefemale members of the society. Differences The film “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter" historical element focuses mainly ona specific period, the World War II. However, in the case of the film "The Red Lantern", thehistorical element focuses on a wide span of time regarding things that used to happen and couldbe possibly happening today (The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter, 1981). The film?shistorical account is more real considering that the actors share their experience based on thehistory whereas the film “The Red Lantern” mere represent other figures in history.Comparison from a political perspective Similarities MOVIE REVIEW 14In both films, there are elements of extreme politics that hinder freedom and justice totranspire. For instance, in the case of the film “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter",irresponsible politics transpire and efforts to accomplish some of the promises made to thewomen are not fulfilled (The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter, 1981). From an analyticalperspective, the five female actors consider the act as irresponsible and that it failed to considerthe role the women had played in winning the war without necessarily having to geteconomically derailed. Further, the politics in the first film assisted in hiding the potential of thewomen in the society making them functionally useless. Unfortunately, the failure of the politicalarena to protect the women in and grant them the opportunity they need to participate in nationbuilding, they are infringed to continue with home chores only. The same applies the politics of homes stipulated in the film, "The Red Lantern."Particularly, the women are underprivileged, powerless and have minimal chances of makingdecisions. They are subject to their master?s desires and expectations. For instance, Songlian failsto prevail even after having an education because there exists a political system or a hierarchy ofpower in the home. The film dictates that the women only have power over the servants. DifferencesThere is a difference in nature through which the elements of politics is depicted in thetwo movies. In the case of the film, “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter", the politicconcept is used from a national platform where women, in general, are failed by the state, as faras, their rights or privileges and chances to function like their male counterparts are concerned(Chambers & Culbert, 1996). In this case, however, there is some hope of trusting women withresponsibilities as depicted in the case where the women are left manning the economic sector as MOVIE REVIEW 15the men went to war. However, the case is different in the film “The Red Lantern.” Here, thewomen have close to no power to engage in any economic or even social issue. They can beassumed to be servants to their masters. First, the concept of politics is used from a domesticperspective. It is customary and the probability of changing it can only come through arevolution. Comparison from a Character Perspective In both cases, the films use female actors as the protagonists. First, they are used tocommunicate the extent in which the women in the different societies, American and Asian, areinfringed off their rights from a series of perspective. Particularly, the characters such as the five“Rosies” in the film “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter", and Songlian in “The RedLantern” are effectively used to show how women are disregarded in the society. In the samecase, the men are considered to be masculine in both movies. For instance, upon return of themen from war to the United States, the women were expected to return to their homes as the mentook over the jobs. The same case applies to Master in the film “The Red Lantern.” As such, inthe two films, the characters effectively communicate the message feminism. Comparison Regarding Structure for the Targeted AudienceIn both cases, the films are developed and structured in such a manner that the audiencefrom the respective countries can easily understand the content. First, each is composed inagreement with the history of that particular country. For instance, the film, “The Life and Timesof Rosie the Riveter" is developed in such a manner that the American audience can understand(Aitken, 2013). It focuses on the role played by the women during the World War II, the manner MOVIE REVIEW 16in which they were empowered and the ultimate occurrence where the men resumed theirworking positions without considering the women?s sacrifice. The same case applies to the film“The Red Lantern.” It focuses on customs and traditions that were and could possibly be stillobserved in the Asian (Chinese) homes. That includes having a hierarchy of leadership at homethat disregards the position of a woman in the society in the context of their powers in the house.Therefore, the audience too can understand the content of the films. Finally, in each case, thechoice of actors is realistic. For instance, in the film “The Red Lantern, the actors are Chinesewhereas those of the film “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter" are Americans. That makesit easier to pass the message to the audience. MOVIE REVIEW 17ReferencesEbert, R. (1992, March 27). Raise The Red Lantern Movie Review (1992) | Roger Ebert.Retrieved from http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/raise-the-red-lantern-1992Putlocker Raise the Red Lantern (1991) Watch Online For Free | Putlocker - Watch MoviesOnline Free [Video file]. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.watchfree.to/watch- 3655-Raise-the-Red-Lantern-movie-online-free-putlocker.htmlWatch The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter (1980) Online Free - Tinkle Pad | Movie25[Video file]. (2016). Retrieved from http://tinklepad.is/watch-the-life-and-times-of- rosie-the-riveter-online-free-24667.htmlAitken, I. (2013). Encyclopedia of the documentary film 3-Volume set. Routledge.Chambers, J. W., & Culbert, D. (1996). World War II, film, and history. Oxford University Presson Demand.Zhu, Y., & Rosen, S. (2010). Art, politics, and commerce in Chinese cinema (Vol. 1). HongKong University Press. MOVIE REVIEW 18Raise the Red Lantern (1991), Zhang Yimou | TOWARDS A GREATER CANON. (2015).Retrieved from https://towardsagreatercanon.wordpress.com/2014/10/20/raise-the- red-lantern-1991-yimou-zhang/comment-page-1/ "