Assignment- Paper No: 204

November 05, 2025

 This Blog is an Assignment of paper no.204:   Contemporary Western Theories and Film Studies. The focus of this assignmentn on Representation of Social Reality in Cinema: A Study of How Films Reflect and Shape Cultural Attitudes.

Name: Shatakshi M.  Sarvaiya

Paper 204 :  Contemporary Western Theories and Film Studies.

Subject Code: 22409

Topic Name: Representation of Social Reality in Cinema: A Study of How Films Reflect and Shape Cultural Attitudes.

Batch: M.A. Sem-3 (2024 -26)

Roll No: 26

Enrollment No: 5108240030

Email Address: shatakshisarvaiya9@gmail.com

Submitted to: Smt. S. B. Gardi, Department of English, M.K.B.U.

               Representation of Social Reality in Cinema: A Study                         of How Films Reflect and Shape Cultural Attitudes

Introduction :

Cinema is not only a medium of entertainment; it is also a powerful tool that reflects and influences society. Films present social realities, values, beliefs, conflicts, and cultural behaviors in a visual form that audiences can easily understand and emotionally connect with. As a cultural product, cinema both mirrors the society it comes from and shapes how people think, feel, and act. This makes film an important subject of study in cultural and media studies.

Cinema as a Mirror of Society

Films often depict the issues, conditions, and cultural values present in the society in which they are made. Whether it is poverty, gender roles, political struggles, love, family relations, or moral dilemmas, cinema tries to portray real-life situations through its characters and stories. For example, neorealist films like Bicycle Thieves show the struggles of poor working-class families, while Indian parallel cinema such as Shyam Benegal’s films reflects social inequality and caste issues.

Through such films, audiences are able to see their own lives and social realities represented on screen. Cinema allows people to recognize social problems and encourages them to reflect on their surroundings and identities.

Cinema as a Shaper of Cultural Attitudes

Cinema does not only reflect reality—it also shapes it. Films play a major role in influencing how people think about gender, sexuality, religion, nationalism, and moral values. For instance, commercial Bollywood films often portray love, marriage, and gender roles in a romanticized or stereotypical manner, which can influence audiences’ expectations and behaviors in real life.

Similarly, nationalist films can create strong emotional identification with the nation, while films featuring social reform messages can encourage audiences to rethink harmful beliefs. Therefore, cinema has the power to change cultural attitudes and reshape public opinions.

Stereotypes and Representation

One of the most important aspects of studying social reality in cinema is analyzing how different groups are represented. Films often create and reinforce stereotypes—for example, representing women as emotional and dependent, or portraying certain religious communities as dangerous. Such representations may distort reality and promote biased or harmful views.

However, there are also many films that challenge stereotypes and provide more realistic and empowering representations, such as films that show strong female characters, marginalized communities, or LGBTQ+ identities with dignity and complexity.

Cinema and Political Ideology

Films are also deeply connected to politics. Some films openly support political ideologies, while others subtly suggest political meanings through symbolism, narrative, and character choices. For example, films made during the freedom struggle focused on unity, sacrifice, and patriotism. Meanwhile, films made during the Emergency in India reflected themes of suppression, identity crisis, and resistance.

Thus, cinema becomes a space where political ideas are formed, debated, and challenged.

Impact of Globalization

With globalization, cinema has become more interconnected across cultures. Hollywood influences Bollywood, Korean cinema influences Western youth, and streaming platforms make world cinema accessible. This exchange of ideas leads to new cultural identities and hybrid representations. However, it also raises concerns about cultural dominance, where stronger film industries shape global tastes and overshadow local traditions

Conclusion :

Cinema is both a reflection of social reality and a shaper of cultural attitudes. It presents society as it is, while also influencing how people understand themselves and others. Through visual storytelling, cinema has the power to question prejudices, challenge authority, inspire social change, and create new cultural identities. Therefore, studying cinema helps us understand not only the world represented on screen but also the real world that shapes and is shaped by it.