The visual content of violent scenes in films; and their impact on society

• Main Author: Marwa Khafagy
• Format: Article
• Language: Arabic
• Published: Arab Association for Islamic Civilization and Art 2019-05-01
• Series: Journal of Architecture, Art & Humanistic Science
• Subjects: violence; simulated crimes; cinematic censorship; audiovisual arts; pure violence
• Online Access: https://mjaf.journals.ekb.eg/article_30277.html
• ISSN: 2356-9654; 2357-0342

Social transitions in human societies are a confirmed fact that happen in all life aspects and affect all human systems and relationships. As life continues; ideas develop, moral values and standards transform, human skills evolve, life speed and rhythm change, problems and obstacles vary, the ability to adapt and maintain the social traditions and customs alters; and the social issues and interests differ. All the above changes happen because human societies always encounter many factors; whether cultural, economical or political. And because art in general is a prime expressive tool and communication method; and as cinema is the most popular and capable method that can reach all cultural and social levels; it is regarded to be a main reason for these social changes, especially the negative ones.Problem:Cinema is usually accused to be the reason for the negative social changes, on all ethical, intellectual and cultural levels; especially in Arab societies; on the other hand; cinema specialists defend it by indicating that the cinematic image is derived from reality and influenced by it.Thus; it is important to study the positive and negative impact that cinema causes in the Egyptian society in specific; and try to decode this dialectic that emerged ever since the 7th art was created.ObjectiveThe research aims to study the visual content of violent scenes in films; and their impact on the Egyptian society.Research hypotheses: -1. Adaptation of the visual language of the cinematic image works to direct the feelings of the recipient and the absorption of consciousness and the disruption of ethical principles in part.2. If the scenes of violence are depicted on the screen in a way that confers realism and credibility on them, this will indirectly affect the viewer and change his behavior negatively.3. Intensifying the scenes of violence and its repetition in filmmaking leads to the construction of generations that look at the real violence in the street in a manner of indifference and habituation.Research Methodology: -The study follows the analytical descriptive approach to study the role played by the cinematic image in influencing society.