•
Feature
• A social problem is: • an adverse condition (不利条件) affecting a significant number of people.
• It must, however, also be recognized as a problem, and that is something that can only occur if those concerned about the problem have enough power and influence to bring it to public attention.
• And even if they cannot always do that, they at least help
• “to tell the audience something, to make
people think, to initiate a dialogue.”
Content
• Definition • Feature • Sub-genre • Representative work
Definition
• The genre has two defining conventions: identify a social ill; dramatize its remedy.
Content
• Definition • Feature • Sub-genre • Representative work
• Representative figure
Feature
• The social problem is usually a contemporary problem and as such the setting is also contemporary. • The social drama typically displays a sympathetic perspective towards the victims of this problem, and is supportive of those who crusade (斗争) against it. Underlying the social drama is the assumption that the problem, once recognized, can be remedied through wellintentioned social, political, or legal reform.
• The protagonist is helped in this process by a mirror character who communicates the true nature of the problem and suggests ways of dealing with it.
• Finally, there must be a belief that --- if the appropriate measures are taken ---the problem can be solved.
Feature
• Social dramas typically follow the following narrative : • The protagonist is initially unaware of the existence of the problem. As the film develops, the protagonist becomes conscious of the problem and becomes committed to fighting against it.
Presentative-work
（1990-1991） 与狼共舞 Dances with Wolves （1991-1992年度） 沉默的羔羊 The Silence of the Lambs （1992-1993年度） 不可饶恕 Unforgiven （1993-1994年度） 辛德勒的名单 Schindler's List （1994-1995年度） 阿甘正传 Forrest Gump （1995-1996年度） 勇敢的心 Braveheart （1996-1997年度） 英国病人 The English Patient （1997-1998年度） 泰坦尼克号 Titanic 1998-1999年度） 莎翁情史 Shakespeare in Love （1999-2000年度） 美国丽人 American Beauty （2004-2005年度） 百万美元宝贝 Million dollar baby （2005-2006年度） 撞车 Crash （2006-2007年度） 《无间道风云》The Departed （2007-2008年度） 《老无所依》 （No Country for Old Men） （2008-2009年度） 《贫民窟的百万富翁》（Slumdog Millionaire） （2009-2010年） 《拆弹部队》The Hurt Locker （2010-2011年） 《国王的演讲》（The King's Speech） （2011-2012年） 《艺术家》（The Artist） （2012-2013年） 《逃离德黑兰》（Argo） （2013-2014年） 《为奴十二年》 (Twelve Years a Slave)
（2000-2001年度） 角斗士 Gladiator （2001-2002年度） 美丽心灵 A Beautiful Mind
（2014-2015年） 《鸟人》（Birdman） （2015-2016年） 《聚焦》（Spotlight)
Content
• Definition • Feature • Sub-genre • Representative work
• Representative figure
Representative-figure
• David Fincher • 1962-08-28 • American
• Emmy Award: Best director • house of cards • Golden Globe Award: Best director • social network • Oscar Award: Best director • social network • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (nominated)
Social drama & Romance
Sub-genre
Social drama & War
Sub-genre
Social drama & Thriller
Content
• Definition • Feature • Sub-genre • Representative work
• Representative figure
• They help us to recognize a social issue
that we might otherwise overlook, and show us in dramatic form both its possible
consequences its possible solutions.
victims and its perpetrators (作恶者). And
allowing the conflict to
develop dialectically（辩证地）.
Feature
• Social dramas stem from the most noble and honorable motives. • They are attempts to fulfill the ancient dictum (格言、警句) that fiction should instruct as well as entertain.
Representative-figure
• David Fincher
Thank You
• The problem itself is often embodied in the figure of the antagonist. The protagonist finally confronts the problem, is victorious or defeated, and the film ends.
Social Drama
Part 1 – Introduction 何军
Content
• Definition • Feature
• Sub-genre
• Representative work • Representative figure
Content
• Definition • Feature • Sub-genre • Representative work
Feature
• One of the pitfalls (缺陷) of
the social： drama is didacticism (说教). The best
social dramas avoid this by
presenting the social problem from the
perspectives of both its
• Representative figure
Definition
• Drama is a category comprising serious films that portray realistic characters in conflict with themselves, others, or forces of nature. The category is one of the broadest, and so the focus here is on one of the most important kinds of drama ---the social drama. • Social dramas are films whose central narrative concern or conflict is a social problem ---- poverty, inequality, discrimination（歧视）, racism（种族主义）, or exclusion (排外行为 ), ect.