Regional perspectives of resistance and freedom in selected films: a case study of 12 years a slave (2013), Sarafina (1992) and Three idiots (2009).

Abstract

This study sought to establish and interrogate the perspectives of resistance and freedom in films using 12 Years a Slave (2013), a film directed by Steven McQueen, Sarafina (1992), a film directed by Roodt and Three Idiots (2009) directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The research reveals that films serve not only to entertain but to expose hegemonic powers in different societies and ideologies to fight against cruel domination. The films not only depicted freedom from slavery and colonialism but personal freedom. The study identifies and interrogates the similarities and differences in the conceptualization and portrayal of resistance and freedom in Africa, America and Asia. The research also, evaluates the effectiveness of filming techniques used in portraying resistance and freedom such as costume, camera angles, gestures, text, close up shots and music. Also, the investigation deployed thematic and semiotic analysis as a way of interpretation. Through these theories, different meanings have been conveyed that is films have ideological and hegemonic functions. Semiotic theory had the limitation of ignoring particular issues, institutional frameworks, social and political context. The study focused more on the issues of social, economic and political way of people. Therefore, semiotic theory was combined with insights of the Marxist theory which focuses on power struggles between those in power to analyze the films. Findings of the study showcased that films help in addressing the issues of justice and equality among the people regardless of color, race, sex, class and ethnicity. Nevertheless, in view of the loopholes revealed by this study, the researcher therefore proposed recommendations that people should fight for their freedom nonviolently for example praying and worshiping as well as economic empowerment rather than bloodshed. In addition, the study‟s use of the Qualitative approach and discourse analysis helps in depicting the perspectives of resistance and freedom in films.