Compare and Contrast 12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained
For my essay I will compare and contrast the themes between 12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained, two movies that differ immensely when it comes to the direction and delivery of their respective plots; while still holding some key similarities such as their motifs and themes throughout both films. It 's those similarities however is also where we can dissect the corresponding differences such as how “heroes” and “villains” are portrayed entirely different from one another. And by using key examples I also aim to show how 12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained are prime examples of how one movie can break the usual feel-good cliché plot that all American cinema seems to portray; while the other follows a more traditional route that we are all more use too.
Throughout the entirety of both films we see multiple signature motifs and themes that we all can associate with when it comes to colonial America during that time period. Most notably should perhaps be the distinct lack of “personal morality”; or the implication that people of non-European decent are a form of lesser human. Especially within modern day cinema we seem to exploit these themes and the characters themselves in way that allow most directors creative leeway; however numerous people such as Quentin Tarantino will take those liberties into creating visuals on slavery that were overtly fictional, and only play a role in immediate plot development.
Throughout the entirety of Django Unchained we see a constant struggle for Django to regain his honor through the classic American medium of revenge. Because without the constant thought of vengeance, Django would be nothing more than a common villain; someone who uses force to gain what he desires. However even if he weren 't to use force, in Quentins Tarantino 's vision even those who don 't fight are considered cowards. And it is with that character development and overtly fictional plot that makes Django Unchained the American cliché that it is.
Throughout the entirety of both films we see multiple signature motifs and themes that we all can associate with when it comes to colonial America during that time period. Most notably should perhaps be the distinct lack of “personal morality”; or the implication that people of non-European decent are a form of lesser human. Especially within modern day cinema we seem to exploit these themes and the characters themselves in way that allow most directors creative leeway; however numerous people such as Quentin Tarantino will take those liberties into creating visuals on slavery that were overtly fictional, and only play a role in immediate plot development.
Throughout the entirety of Django Unchained we see a constant struggle for Django to regain his honor through the classic American medium of revenge. Because without the constant thought of vengeance, Django would be nothing more than a common villain; someone who uses force to gain what he desires. However even if he weren 't to use force, in Quentins Tarantino 's vision even those who don 't fight are considered cowards. And it is with that character development and overtly fictional plot that makes Django Unchained the American cliché that it is.
Cited: Livingston, Jay. "The Revenge Fantasy: Django Unchained vs 12 Years a Slave." The Society Pages. Society Pages, 14 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 Oct. 2014. <http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2013/11/04/the-revenge-fantasy-django-unchained-vs-12-years-a-slave/>. Moore, Antonio. "Slavery Displayed on Screen: A Discussion with the Creators of Roots about 12 Years a Slave & Django Unchained." Huffington Post. Huffington Post, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/antonio-moore/slavery-displayed-on-screen_b_4138926.html>. - - -. "Slavery on Screen: Creators of Roots Discuss 12 Years & Django." Atlanta Blackstar. Atlanta Blackstar, 27 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2014. <http://atlantablackstar.com/2013/10/27/slavery-screen-discussion-creators-roots-12-years-django/>.