Reinforcing or challenging audience perceptions, values and attitudes

Example Questions/dot points:

• Analyse how a media work reinforces or challenges an audience perception

• Analyse how a media work reinforces or challenges audience values

• Analyse how a media work reinforces or challenges an audience attitudes

Short Answer: How Old Zombie Films Reinforce and Challenge Audience Values

Introduction
Old zombie films, particularly those from the mid-20th century like Night of the Living Dead (1968), directed by George A. Romero, have played a significant role in shaping the horror genre. These films are not just about flesh-eating monsters; they often reflect and challenge the societal values of their time. By analyzing these films, we can see how they both reinforce and challenge audience values, particularly in relation to fear, societal norms, and the concept of "the other."

Reinforcement of Audience Values
Old zombie films often reinforce existing societal fears and anxieties, particularly those related to the unknown and the loss of control. For example, in Night of the Living Dead, the zombies represent a breakdown of societal order, with the undead symbolizing the fear of death, disease, and the collapse of civilization. These films play on the audience's fear of the unknown and the uncontrollable, reinforcing the idea that these fears are valid and ever-present. The depiction of the zombies as mindless, unstoppable forces also reinforces the value placed on order, control, and the preservation of society, as the films often focus on the survivors' struggle to maintain their humanity in the face of overwhelming chaos.

Challenging Audience Values
At the same time, old zombie films challenge audience values by presenting scenarios that force viewers to question their own beliefs about morality, survival, and human nature. Night of the Living Dead, for instance, challenges the audience's ideas about race and social norms. The film's protagonist, Ben, is a Black man who takes charge in a crisis, which was a bold choice at a time when Black actors were rarely cast in leading roles, especially in a non-stereotypical manner. The film's ending, where Ben is killed by a mob of white men who mistake him for a zombie, serves as a powerful commentary on racial violence and the dehumanization of Black people, challenging the audience to reflect on the social and racial injustices of the time.

Reflection of Societal Fears and Critiques
Old zombie films often reflect the societal fears of their time while simultaneously critiquing the very systems that perpetuate those fears. During the Cold War era, for example, the fear of nuclear annihilation and the spread of communism were prevalent. Zombie films of the time, like The Last Man on Earth (1964), reflected these anxieties by portraying the undead as a metaphor for the loss of individuality and the spread of a mindless, collective threat. However, these films also critiqued the paranoia and hysteria that drove these fears, suggesting that the real danger might not be the zombies themselves, but the way society responds to them.

The Dual Role of Zombie Films
Zombie films from the past serve a dual role in both reinforcing and challenging audience values. While they tap into deep-seated fears about death, the loss of identity, and societal collapse, they also encourage viewers to question the status quo and consider alternative perspectives. This duality is part of what makes the zombie genre so enduring and relevant, as it continues to evolve and reflect the changing values and fears of its audience.

Conclusion
In conclusion, old zombie films like Night of the Living Dead both reinforce and challenge audience values by reflecting societal fears and encouraging viewers to question their beliefs. These films use the horror of the undead to explore complex issues such as race, survival, and the nature of humanity, making them a powerful medium for both entertainment and social commentary. By analyzing these films, we gain a deeper understanding of how media can influence and reflect the values of its audience, making them an important part of our cultural landscape.

Extended Answer: Analysing How Alien and Monster Films Reinforce or Challenge Audience Perception

Introduction
Alien films in the West and monster films in the East have played significant roles in shaping and reflecting societal fears and perceptions. In the West, alien invasion films like The War of the Worlds (1953) and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) often depicted extraterrestrial beings as metaphors for foreign threats, particularly reflecting Cold War anxieties about Asian invaders and communism. Meanwhile, in the East, particularly in Japan, monster films such as Godzilla (1954) served as allegories for the devastation caused by nuclear bombs, specifically referencing the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. These films are crucial for understanding how media can either reinforce or challenge audience perceptions by using metaphorical narratives to address contemporary fears and societal issues.

Relevance to the Question
These genres are particularly relevant to the question of how media works reinforce or challenge audience perceptions because they operate on symbolic levels that go beyond mere entertainment. Alien films in the West often reinforced the perception of the "other" as a threat, playing on fears of foreign invasion and the spread of ideologies deemed dangerous, such as communism. In contrast, Eastern monster films like Godzilla challenged perceptions of technological advancement and progress by highlighting the catastrophic consequences of nuclear power, thus encouraging a critical reflection on the actions of the past and the potential dangers of the future. Both genres use their respective monsters—aliens and giant creatures—as vehicles for exploring and influencing public perception.

Critical and Audience Reactions to Alien Films
Alien invasion films in the West were particularly resonant during the 1950s, a time when the fear of communism and the threat of the Cold War were at their peak. Critics and audiences often interpreted these films as reflections of the era's anxieties. For example, Invasion of the Body Snatchers was widely seen as an allegory for the fear of communist infiltration, with the alien "body snatchers" representing the perceived threat of communism spreading secretly and silently within American society. This interpretation reinforced the perception of communism as an insidious and omnipresent danger, influencing public attitudes and justifying the era's political climate of suspicion and McCarthyism.

Interpretations of Eastern Monster Films
In Japan, the reception of monster films like Godzilla was deeply influenced by the historical context of the atomic bombings. Critics and audiences recognized Godzilla as a powerful metaphor for nuclear destruction, with the monster itself representing the destructive force of the atomic bomb. The film challenged the perception of technological progress and the supposed benefits of nuclear energy by vividly depicting the catastrophic consequences of such power when unleashed. This interpretation resonated strongly with Japanese audiences, who had experienced the horrors of nuclear warfare firsthand, reinforcing a perception of nuclear technology as something to be feared and controlled.

Reinforcement of Perceptions in Alien Films
Western alien films reinforced the perception of "the other" as a threat, a concept deeply embedded in the cultural psyche during the Cold War. Films like The War of the Worlds played on the fear of an overwhelming, unstoppable force that could invade and destroy civilization. This reinforced the idea that foreign powers, particularly those associated with communist ideologies, were a direct threat to the American way of life. The depiction of aliens as malevolent invaders mirrored the rhetoric of the time, where communism was seen as an external force seeking to infiltrate and undermine Western society. This reinforcement of fear and suspicion contributed to a cultural climate that justified aggressive foreign and domestic policies aimed at containing perceived threats.

Challenging Perceptions in Monster Films
In contrast, Japanese monster films like Godzilla challenged the perception that technological advancement and nuclear power were purely beneficial. These films portrayed the consequences of unchecked scientific progress, particularly in the context of nuclear energy. Godzilla emerges as a product of nuclear testing, symbolizing the unforeseen and uncontrollable consequences of humanity’s actions. By highlighting the devastation caused by the monster, the film challenges the post-war optimism about technology and progress, urging audiences to reconsider the ethical implications of scientific advancements. This challenge to the prevailing perception of technology as inherently positive was particularly poignant in Japan, a country that had directly suffered the consequences of nuclear warfare.

Examination of Alien Films as Political Allegory
Alien films in the West often served as political allegories that reinforced existing perceptions of global threats. For instance, Invasion of the Body Snatchers was not only seen as a metaphor for communist infiltration but also as a commentary on the loss of individuality and freedom under totalitarian regimes. The portrayal of aliens as emotionless, conformist beings who replace humans one by one echoed the fears of communist ideology eroding personal freedoms and turning individuals into mere cogs in a collectivist machine. This allegorical use of aliens in film reinforced the perception of communism as an existential threat to Western values, thus influencing public opinion and justifying policies aimed at combating the spread of communism.

Analysis of Monster Films as a Reflection of Trauma
Japanese monster films like Godzilla served as a reflection of the collective trauma experienced by the nation following the atomic bombings. The destruction wrought by Godzilla on Tokyo mirrored the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, making the film a powerful reminder of the horrors of nuclear warfare. This reflection of trauma challenged the post-war narrative of recovery and progress by confronting audiences with the lingering fears and uncertainties associated with nuclear technology. By personifying the atomic bomb as a living, breathing monster, Godzilla challenged the perception that the threat of nuclear annihilation was a thing of the past, reminding viewers of the ongoing dangers associated with nuclear weapons and energy.

The Role of Fear in Reinforcing and Challenging Perceptions
Both alien and monster films rely heavily on fear to either reinforce or challenge audience perceptions. In Western alien films, fear is used to reinforce the perception of external threats, making audiences more receptive to the idea that vigilance and defense are necessary to protect society from outside forces. The fear of the unknown and the foreign is a central theme, playing into existing anxieties about global conflicts and ideological warfare. In contrast, Eastern monster films use fear to challenge the perception that technological progress is always beneficial. The fear of nuclear annihilation and the uncontrollable consequences of scientific experimentation force audiences to reconsider their assumptions about the safety and morality of such advancements.

The Influence of Cultural Context on Interpretation
The cultural context in which these films were produced and consumed plays a significant role in how they reinforce or challenge audience perceptions. In the West, the cultural context of the Cold War influenced the interpretation of alien films as cautionary tales about the dangers of foreign ideologies and the importance of maintaining societal vigilance. In Japan, the cultural context of post-war recovery and the collective memory of nuclear devastation influenced the interpretation of monster films as critiques of nuclear technology and the hubris of scientific advancement. These differing cultural contexts highlight how media works can be interpreted in various ways depending on the societal issues and historical experiences of the audience.

The Legacy of Alien and Monster Films
The legacy of these films continues to influence how audiences perceive threats and technological advancements. In the West, alien invasion films have evolved to address new fears, such as terrorism or environmental collapse, but they often still reinforce the idea of the "other" as a threat. In the East, particularly in Japan, monster films have continued to challenge perceptions of technology, with modern iterations of Godzilla addressing issues like climate change and environmental destruction. These films have left a lasting impact on popular culture, shaping how audiences perceive and respond to global threats and scientific advancements.

Conclusion
In conclusion, alien films in the West and monster films in the East have played crucial roles in either reinforcing or challenging audience perceptions. Western alien films, such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers, have reinforced the perception of external threats and the need for vigilance, reflecting the fears and anxieties of the Cold War era. In contrast, Eastern monster films like Godzilla have challenged perceptions of technological progress by highlighting the catastrophic consequences of nuclear power, reflecting the trauma of nuclear warfare. These films demonstrate the power of media to shape public perception by either reinforcing existing beliefs or challenging audiences to reconsider their assumptions, making them significant cultural artifacts in the ongoing discourse about global threats and technological advancement.