Answer one of the questions below based on the video clip. Your paragraph should have five sentences (one semi-colon max) and be professionally written. You can only receive a perfect score for answering a LEVEL 4 question.
Friday, July 29, 2022
Chapter 4 - Barbershop Meeting Scene (LEVEL 4 QUESTION)
How have the producers of the film tried to be more inclusive? Does the inclusivity change anything from the novel?
The producers of the film tried to be more inclusive by having a diverse cast to accommodate to a wider range of audiences but also highlights the changeless themes in the story. Two noticeable changes are the casting of Meyer Wolfsheim, who in the original story is said to be “small, flat-nosed and Jew raised” (page 69), but casts Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan, and the inclusion of more African American actors in the underground party scene. This casting adds profundity to the overall social flow of the story and emphasizes the underlying subject of race and class seen in the novel. The addition of diverse characters can also be reflected in the motive to reach more audiences by replicating modern day America, which is now very culturally diverse. Overall, the movie’s inclusivity amplifies the story’s narration by having more context for the social dilemmas in the novel while still providing the same nature and spirit of the original work.
The producers of the film made efforts to be more inclusive by casting people of color in roles assumed to be for White individuals. When the book takes place in 1922, anti-black segregation was prevalent, making it historically inaccurate for Black people to be invited to high-class social gatherings or to even entertain at them. Racism and antisemitism are central themes in the novel, which provide context to the values and behaviors of the average American at the time. "The Great Gatsby" can be seen as a strong commentary on the elitist attitudes of the predominately white upper-class. However, by significantly diversifying the cast, especially in scenes where these social dynamics are critical, the filmmakers undermine the original critiques of the novel. Additionally, the character who "fixed the World Series" may have purposely been written as Jewish to highlight antisemitic biases, and by casting an Indian actor (Amitabh Bachchan) in this role, the filmmakers inadvertently erase an important aspect of the book's original social commentary.
What the producers aimed for here was inclusivity through modernizing much of the music, social attitudes, the overall jazz culture in the barbershop (speakeasy) scene, when they could've really sought out the roots of those in the Jazz culture and implemented how Black people were really the blueprint as to how most of us envision the Jazz scene from that era today. One more specific detail is how Wolfsheim and the importance of him being Jewish just gets washed over here, especially since the choice of his casting feels lazy, failing to hire a Jewish actor which hiring someone ambiguous to that ethnicity may become controversial. With this, the producers of the 2013 rendition of the "Great Gatsby" create this modern interpretation of the speakeasy scene which feels almost lacking and inconsiderate. Racism was prevalent at this time up North, but there's a newfound freedom in the city where they're given the spotlight, a place in which they can help the scene thrive, which shows how dire race in context is to this specific movie scene and the chapter in the book. What I have a problem with is making this visually and contextually out to be so positive or integrated, which is lacking historical significance that Black people still were heavily prejudiced against; same with Wolfsheim, removing the comments made on and about his identity from the book totally erases the real pain of minorities in an era that was supposed to be "so great".
The directors attempted to be more inclusive by hiring more people of colour and even remaking wolfsheim from being a jew to being an Indian actor. The movie changes certain aspects from the book such as when Nick writes about Wolfsheim being a jew and referencing the nose specifically "A small, flatnosed jew..." (page 69), this line gets removed from the movie since the recasting would not match the character and to get with the times of modern day since calling someone a flat nosed jew is no longer acceptable in today's society. Also, the book never tells us where Nick and Gatsby have lunch so in the book it is assumed they go to a restaurant but in the movie they go to a speakeasy. I point this out specifically since in speakeasies, jazz is known to play there often and as jazz was a predominantly black music, it was perfect for hiring someone to keep up the diversity who was someone of colour. During the speakeasy, we also see a bunch of dancers and the main focus was on the center dancer, she is also a person of colour giving us a center focus on her and not the other background Danvers and we even see black waiters but the crowd was mostly white which would match at the time but it is still nice to see inclusivity especially since it gives many actors a job even if it is as a background role.
The producers tried to make the film more inclusive by casting a diverse set of people to replicate current society. In 1925, when this novel came out, society was run by white people. This is shown in chapter one when Tom says, “It’s up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things” (13) which proves how white people would not allow any other races to hold wealth or power. In the clip, there are many African American background characters at the club and Meyer Wolfsheim is played by an Indian man when he was written as Jewish; this challenges the racist views presented in the novel by showing that no matter the skin colour, everyone is allowed opportunities for success and to be a part of the same social circle. Having a more inclusive cast does not change anything from the novel either as the events and themes stay the same, just some people are represented differently than originally described.
the film features a more diverse cast, especially in the background extras and party scenes, adding jazz that originated from Black communities in the 1920s. The soundtrack also includes artists of diverse backgrounds like Jay-Z and Beyoncé. In the novel, inclusivity doesn’t necessarily alter the core themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream, but it can shift the way audiences interpret the story. For example, if a more diverse cast is used, it might highlight the difference between how races are treated .
The producers of the film attempted to be more inclusive by for one, having black people present in the party rather than just white people. Black people to be in social gatherings with white people in the 1920s was almost impossible due to the constant racism and ignorance. Another way the producers in the film tried to be more inclusive is the adaption of Mr. Wolfshiem from a Jew in the novel to an Indian actor portraying him in the film, this is mainly because in todays society it is not tolerable at all to stereotype someone based on their race, in this specific case he was labeled as a, "flat-nosed Jew" (page.69). The music playing in the background of the underground party scene is upbeat and has rhythm which can be derived from the African-American culture. Generally speaking the film producers made a strong effort for the film to be raw to the novel, "The Great Gatsby" but that being said, they also attempted to be more inclusive in the film.
The producers of the film tried to be more inclusive by having a diverse cast to accommodate to a wider range of audiences but also highlights the changeless themes in the story. Two noticeable changes are the casting of Meyer Wolfsheim, who in the original story is said to be “small, flat-nosed and Jew raised” (page 69), but casts Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan, and the inclusion of more African American actors in the underground party scene. This casting adds profundity to the overall social flow of the story and emphasizes the underlying subject of race and class seen in the novel. The addition of diverse characters can also be reflected in the motive to reach more audiences by replicating modern day America, which is now very culturally diverse. Overall, the movie’s inclusivity amplifies the story’s narration by having more context for the social dilemmas in the novel while still providing the same nature and spirit of the original work.
ReplyDeleteLeisi
The producers of the film made efforts to be more inclusive by casting people of color in roles assumed to be for White individuals. When the book takes place in 1922, anti-black segregation was prevalent, making it historically inaccurate for Black people to be invited to high-class social gatherings or to even entertain at them. Racism and antisemitism are central themes in the novel, which provide context to the values and behaviors of the average American at the time. "The Great Gatsby" can be seen as a strong commentary on the elitist attitudes of the predominately white upper-class. However, by significantly diversifying the cast, especially in scenes where these social dynamics are critical, the filmmakers undermine the original critiques of the novel. Additionally, the character who "fixed the World Series" may have purposely been written as Jewish to highlight antisemitic biases, and by casting an Indian actor (Amitabh Bachchan) in this role, the filmmakers inadvertently erase an important aspect of the book's original social commentary.
ReplyDeleteAthena
Interesting observation. Remember that the movie has a limited time to tell its story and race isn't the primary focus.
DeleteWhat the producers aimed for here was inclusivity through modernizing much of the music, social attitudes, the overall jazz culture in the barbershop (speakeasy) scene, when they could've really sought out the roots of those in the Jazz culture and implemented how Black people were really the blueprint as to how most of us envision the Jazz scene from that era today. One more specific detail is how Wolfsheim and the importance of him being Jewish just gets washed over here, especially since the choice of his casting feels lazy, failing to hire a Jewish actor which hiring someone ambiguous to that ethnicity may become controversial. With this, the producers of the 2013 rendition of the "Great Gatsby" create this modern interpretation of the speakeasy scene which feels almost lacking and inconsiderate. Racism was prevalent at this time up North, but there's a newfound freedom in the city where they're given the spotlight, a place in which they can help the scene thrive, which shows how dire race in context is to this specific movie scene and the chapter in the book. What I have a problem with is making this visually and contextually out to be so positive or integrated, which is lacking historical significance that Black people still were heavily prejudiced against; same with Wolfsheim, removing the comments made on and about his identity from the book totally erases the real pain of minorities in an era that was supposed to be "so great".
ReplyDeleteKylie
Interesting take but you still need to use a citation in your answer for full marks.
DeleteThe directors attempted to be more inclusive by hiring more people of colour and even remaking wolfsheim from being a jew to being an Indian actor. The movie changes certain aspects from the book such as when Nick writes about Wolfsheim being a jew and referencing the nose specifically "A small, flatnosed jew..." (page 69), this line gets removed from the movie since the recasting would not match the character and to get with the times of modern day since calling someone a flat nosed jew is no longer acceptable in today's society. Also, the book never tells us where Nick and Gatsby have lunch so in the book it is assumed they go to a restaurant but in the movie they go to a speakeasy. I point this out specifically since in speakeasies, jazz is known to play there often and as jazz was a predominantly black music, it was perfect for hiring someone to keep up the diversity who was someone of colour. During the speakeasy, we also see a bunch of dancers and the main focus was on the center dancer, she is also a person of colour giving us a center focus on her and not the other background Danvers and we even see black waiters but the crowd was mostly white which would match at the time but it is still nice to see inclusivity especially since it gives many actors a job even if it is as a background role.
ReplyDeleteName:Colton
Remember to proofread your work. You have errors in capitalization.
DeleteThe producers tried to make the film more inclusive by casting a diverse set of people to replicate current society. In 1925, when this novel came out, society was run by white people. This is shown in chapter one when Tom says, “It’s up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things” (13) which proves how white people would not allow any other races to hold wealth or power. In the clip, there are many African American background characters at the club and Meyer Wolfsheim is played by an Indian man when he was written as Jewish; this challenges the racist views presented in the novel by showing that no matter the skin colour, everyone is allowed opportunities for success and to be a part of the same social circle. Having a more inclusive cast does not change anything from the novel either as the events and themes stay the same, just some people are represented differently than originally described.
ReplyDeleteDanica
the film features a more diverse cast, especially in the background extras and party scenes, adding jazz that originated from Black communities in the 1920s. The soundtrack also includes artists of diverse backgrounds like Jay-Z and Beyoncé. In the novel, inclusivity doesn’t necessarily alter the core themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream, but it can shift the way audiences interpret the story. For example, if a more diverse cast is used, it might highlight the difference between how races are treated .
ReplyDeleteSkylar dion
The producers of the film attempted to be more inclusive by for one, having black people present in the party rather than just white people. Black people to be in social gatherings with white people in the 1920s was almost impossible due to the constant racism and ignorance. Another way the producers in the film tried to be more inclusive is the adaption of Mr. Wolfshiem from a Jew in the novel to an Indian actor portraying him in the film, this is mainly because in todays society it is not tolerable at all to stereotype someone based on their race, in this specific case he was labeled as a, "flat-nosed Jew" (page.69). The music playing in the background of the underground party scene is upbeat and has rhythm which can be derived from the African-American culture. Generally speaking the film producers made a strong effort for the film to be raw to the novel, "The Great Gatsby" but that being said, they also attempted to be more inclusive in the film.
ReplyDeleteAshton