One of the key points Storey makes about the Frankfurt school is that the general population is pacified and kept from any desire to revolt against the current status quo “through false fulfillment of wish-dreams like wealth, adventure, passionate love, power, and sensationalism in general.” While I do not believe this to be wholly accurate, I do see the tendency that some people may have toward this school of thought. There are a few films that leave me feeling truly inspired, and excited, and sometimes even leave me with a feeling of undeserved accomplishment. Rather than sit back and be fulfilled only in my mind, however, I find these films most often inspire me to take action. If films and other media are done well, I believe they function more as a call to action than a false sense of accomplishment.
One of these films I find so inspiring is the Disney live-action movie Cruella. In this film, the audience follows the back story of the main antagonist in another Disney film, 101 Dalmatians. It begins with how Cruella grew up, the injustice and humiliation she suffered, and her precarious struggle to chase after a goal she’s had since she was a child. I believe the reason this and other media inspires people is that good media will identify and relate to the struggles that a common person faces in day-to-day life, leading consumers to be able to envision themselves in the character’s places. For this reason, a well-done film, a well-written book, or other form of pop culture media can be a voice, calling people to mobilize for a cause or change. The most explicit example of this is the recent movie Barbie, which shoves common feminist issues in the faces of the audience so people who are oblivious to these issues can recognize them and be a tool for change.
However, what may inspire one person may not inspire another as each individual has unique experiences and ideals that resonate with them. Is this a strength or a weakness in using pop culture to mobilize people for a cause?
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