Consumption alienation in Western movies
January 14, 2021 09:43 Source: "China Social Sciences" January 14, 2021 Total 2090 Author: Xie Jinyu

Affected by the epidemic of new crown pneumonia,2020 "Black Friday" Shopping Festival in the United States,offline passenger traffic sharply,But online transaction volume set the highest record,greatly increased by 22%compared with the same period last year。Under the background of capital production,Consumerism and hedonism have long become the mainstream values ​​of Western society,Data growing year by year continuously stimulate our nerves。and the movie as a mirror of society,Multi -dimensional projection of consumption alienation。

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  Desire City: Symbol consumption and identity obsession

According to the British best -selling writer Soophie Kinseella's novel "Confestions of a Shopaholic,2009) is a Hollywood narrative movie with a smooth plot,The protagonist Rebecca is an out -of -the -box shopping mad。Because an accident,She originally wanted to work in fashion magazines and became a financial editor。The ridiculous thing is,She who owed a lot of bills because of her unparalleled consumption,Actually responsible for teaching people。Later,An article in Libea cards has aroused everyone's general attention,She entered the rising period of her career。But in life,Rebecca is still trapped in the consumption vortex cannot be extracted,and always conceal the facts that owe your debt,Until the debt chaser is revealed in public,She suddenly realized,Finally, with the help of parents, successfully quit shopping addiction,Restart the love and friendship。

Uniqueness,"The Devil Wears Prada,2006) tells a story that happened in the fashion magazine: Bet365 app download Andy who wanted to become a journalist accidentally hit the "Bridge" magazine,Become the second assistant to fashion female devil head Miranda。High -end office buildings are full of fashionable atmosphere,And Di, who has just entered the magazine agency, wears simple,Endlessness with the surrounding environment。After experiencing various suffering,Andy began to seek change。Editing with fast -paced rhythm,The fashion on her body quickly transforms,Movie uses the external changes of Andy to show its inner transformation。

These western movies are trying to portray the red urban landscape,Create a stylish atmosphere,plus exquisite luxury brand、The light -lit shopping malls and the superstructure elements,Visually forming a strong impact。In this situation,People consume are no longer the item。Just as Jean Baudrillard,1929-2007) in Consumer Society,1970) The book pointed out: in the post -industrial society,Consumption is not based on the value of the product,People are paying attention to symbols that are attached to the product with symbolic significance,For example, the status reflected in consumption、taste、Fashion and other symbolic value。When people are doing symbolic consumption,can often get great spiritual satisfaction and superiority。And this kind of consumption behavior is largely to find a sense of identity。For example, in "The Queen of Prada",When Andy wants to integrate into the fashion circle,She confirms her identity and status through the symbols of fashion products。

In modern consumer society,Fashion products are not only a symbol of identity,To some extent, it also provides consumers with the standard for imitation。But this set of standards will not only 桎梏 the creativity of the individual,It will also cause some people to be trapped in class worship。Breakfast at Tiffany Bet365 lotto review ’s, 1961),Holly played by Audrey Hepburn was born in ordinary families,Tiffany Jewelry, which symbolizes the upper society, is a product she cannot touch。So,She subconsciously believes that she only needs to stand in front of the window,can be integrated into the upper society,Touch the unreachable identity and status。The characters in the above film are caused by vanity,Dalvation in material desire,Value twist,Even loses rationality under the temptation of the symbol of the product,Become a slave to become blind consumers and commodities。

 materialization world: body consumption is lost and the subject is lost

In modern society,Beauty、hair、Beauty and other industries are becoming more prosperous,Most of these consumptions are around the female body。Under the leadership of consumerist culture,Women pay more attention to their own external,Its body becomes a carrier for consumption。That is to say,"The body is not a personal property,but a design and packaging、,Consumer goods with public influence "(Chris Rojek,"Classics: Cultural Research on Celebrity Phenomenon")。So,Behind the consumption appearance,What is worth thinking about is the alienation of physical consumption。

The movie "SEX and the City adapted from the TV series of the same name in HBO,2008) tells the story of four fashion women living in Manhattan, USA。A variety of products in the film、Busty streets、The light light buildings and other pictures of carnival are truly showing the hustle and bustle of the international city in New York,At the same time, I am also writing the consumer desire of contemporary urban people。According to statistics,In a short 135 -minute movie,The clothing of the four heroines has reached an amazing more than 300 sets,For example, LV、Dior、Prada and other fashion items are countless。bet365 live casino games They all dressed themselves,Wearing tide card、Buy luxury goods、Apply makeup,Unable to extricate yourself in the trap created by consumer society。

In a consumer society,The body becomes an industry,Women "create" their bodies in accordance with the model of the model,Seeking a beauty similar to industrial standards,But ignores the cultural connotation of beauty in nature。In "A Mercy Confession of Shopping",The protagonist Rebecca is attracted by the promotions of the store,Even if you have just received a US $ 900 credit card bill,She also insists on buying a scarf,Because she thinks this scarf can improve her temperament,So she did not hesitate to use a lies to cash out the check to buy。Modern society is always creating an atmosphere of female physical liberation,And this way of building self -consciousness through physical consumption,Often is the external manifestation of physical materialization。

Women's body gradually materialize、Commodity,Following it is the consumer object in a patriarchal culture。In the consumer system dominated by power,Volkswagen Media uses symbol value attached to products,Provide a variety of physical consumption activities,Women are trap of consumption in such value guidance,Eventually becoming a male aesthetic consumer product。The movie "Blue Jasmine,2013) The protagonist Jasmine has outstanding appearance,Dignified and elegant behavior,But her life seems to be set around men,Chasing the identity of women under the patriarchal society。To marry a wealthy businessman,She does not hesitate to give up the upcoming degree,Choose to drop out of school in the last year。After the first section of the relationship is ruptured,She lost the source of the economy,but still wearing luxury,Strive to maintain the illusion of yourself or the superior person with material。In bet365 best casino games order to approach Member,Jasmine uses various lies to maintain his image。Just when the two talk about marriage,Its hypocritical appearance is broken by my sister's ex -husband。After experiencing gender liberation,Women can have enjoyed the happiness that gender brings to themselves,But in this physical image shape,Women have become the object of "being seen",At the same time, it has also become a "product" that men show off。

  Gold Worship and Capitalist Age

German sociologist、Georg Simmel,1858-1918) once said: "Money is just a bridge that leads to the final value,and a person cannot inhabit the bridge。"" But in contemporary society,With the desire of infinite expansion,People are lost in the vortex of money。

According to American writer Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald,1896-1940) The movie adapted from the novel "The Great Gatsby,2013),tells a story that happened in the "Jazz era" in the United States。The protagonist Gatsby, who is famous for his success, is pursuing Daisy,Hold a carnival party at home every night,The latter takes the initiative to take the initiative to embrace the former。A car accident,Gatsby was married by Daisy's husband as the perpetrator,Finally Destiny Plus Pool。At that time, the United States was immersed in the joy of the victory of World War I.,Coupled with the rapid development of industrial civilization and the lack of law,People gradually lose themselves in material pleasure。Daisy is the typical character of this era,She first married Tom for the benefit of interests,Later, I took the initiative to invest in Gatsby's embrace under material drive。But at the funeral of Gatsby,Daisy and the dignitaries who have participated in the party did not appear precious,can be seen,In that incomparable hustle and bustle,The relationship between people and people is associated through bet365 Play online games interests,This distorted relationship is destined to become a tragedy of the times。

Same,The movie "The Wolf of Wall Street starring the Wall Street" starring Leonardo,2013) is also a movie about money first,Wine pond meat forest、The extravagance of the extravagance shows the ugly side of capitalism to the fullest。The protagonist Bell is a neatrobe at Roschild,Responsible for recommending stocks to others。Just when he prepares a big job by passing the exam,A sudden financial turmoil allowed him to return to the starting point。Subsequent,Bell enters the "cheap stock" company work,With your own sales talent different from ordinary people,His performance is getting better and better。Later,Bell also stands with his neighbor Downey and a group of friends,After years of hard work,Bell created a commercial empire。But because the company involves gray income,Touch the law,Bell and others are stared at by the FBI,The last thing is revealed,Bell was caught in prison。At the beginning of the film,The protagonist Bell tells the audience about his extravagant life,The concept of material supremacy has raised money to the height of faith,The meaning of your life is constantly making money,Make more money。Gatsby and Bell are alienated individuals in the context of special society,Their values ​​show the pain of the era of western society: in the rise of capitalism,Extremely expanded material,Driver of money and interests,People’s morality begins to lose、Faith began to miss,Finally fell into the ruins of the spirit。

In a consumerist society,Volkswagen is crazy in the blind purchase and chase of material,The desire at this time is not only a manifestation of self -consciousness,It is also a contradiction and conflict between people and society。Movies will consume symbols、Physical bet365 Play online games alienation and gold -worshipingism presents by image,revealing the emptiness and confusion of modern people; at the same time, tell the audience: we are not only looking for the most authentic state of the material,Also find the meaning of its own existence in a continuous transformation and progressive society。

  (Author Unit: School of Cultural and Creative and Communication of Zhejiang Normal University)

Editor in charge: Chen Jing
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