Satire

SATIRE

Satire is a special form of genre. The central conflict relates to a crucial social or political issue of the day. The environment, health care, the power of film and television, and nuclear war are all examples. The film has a distinct point of view about the issue. Humour mixes freely with aggression. The central character is a vehicle to promote an issue. Fantasy and unreality are acceptable in this free-form genre. This is a vigorous, energetic genre and is not at all tied to realism, like the melodrama or film noir. The genre succeeds when we see ourselves as victims of the danger and threat of society.

What to watch: The Player (1992), Grand Canyon (1991), Short Cuts (1993), Pleasantville, the series Entourage.