The Film American History X - 1248 Words

The film American History X begins with an average American middle-class family; four well-behaved children and two all-American parents living in Long Beach, California. The father is killed in a shooting, leaving his eldest son, Derek, the head of the household. Derek becomes enveloped in Neo-Nazi culture from the end of his adolescent years into early adulthood, and he becomes the leader of a gang. At this point, his younger brother, Danny, is an adolescent and begins mimicking his older brother’s behavior. But the turning point of the movie is when Derek is convicted for murdering a black man and serves three years in prison. This film is primarily an example of moral growth, ontological shock, and choosing what kind of influence one wants to project onto others. Derek realizes that he is going to be held accountable for all of the viewpoints he has â€Å"endorsed† to others, that with drastic actions come drastic consequences, and that autonomy is a powerful force when fueled with willpower. The importance of social influence is a strong theme to American History X, which is why I think Lev Vygostky’s socio-cultural theories surrounding cognitive development can explain the film’s meaning well. According to Vygotsky, the interactions a person has between the environment and other human beings determines the learning that takes place. The type of environment that a child grows up in also greatly affects a person throughout life, as well. Vygostky also believed that tutorsShow MoreRelatedPrejudice in the Film American History X1422 Words   |  6 Pagesno one is free from it. In the film, American History X, Derek is a great example of how prejudice someone can be. Derek agrees with the white power movement because he feels victimized and threatened by everyone who is not white, but in prison he learns his stereotypes are full of holes; from the film I learned there is no reason to hate one another based on race or stereotypes. Life is too short to live a life based on hate. Throughout the film, American History X, Derek feels victimized and threatenedRead MoreAnalysis Of The Film American History X1537 Words   |  7 PagesVandalism, murder, and rape are only a taste of the violence presented within the film American HIstory X (Tony Kaye). In his work, Kaye explores the origins of racism through the minds of Derek (Edward Norton) and his brother, Danny (Edward Furlong); however, the film tells the story of far more than these two brothers. It tells the story of all those who have ever overcame their prejudice feelings through the process of introspection and their proximity to those they are prejudice towards. WhileRead MoreFilm Review of American History X1110 Words   |  5 PagesThe film American History X is rated by the users of IMDB.com (Internet Movie DataBase) as one of the 50 best films ever made. It is a crime/drama, a very violent film; not for the faint-hearted. American History X was released in 1998, and it is directed by Tony Kaye. Casting: -Edward Norton (Derek Vinyard) -Edward Furlong (Daniel Vinyard) -Avery Brooks (Dr. Bob Sweeney) -Stacy Keach (Cameron Alexander) -Beverly DAngelo (Doris Vinyard) -Jennifer Lien (Davina Vinyard) Read MoreThe Film American History X A Neo Nazi Essay1490 Words   |  6 PagesIn the film American History X a neo-Nazi named Derek struggles with what he believes and how it impacts his family. Throughout the film Derek is swayed into beliefs due to various events that can be interpreted in various ways. From the death of his father, the social injustices examined within the media, and even his father’s own beliefs pressed onto him, Derek develops a discriminatory attitude leading him to go so far as becoming a neo-Nazi. His beliefs can actually be explained by social psychologicalRead MoreEssay Rhetorical Visions in the Film, American History X3044 Words   |  13 PagesRhetorical Visions in the Film, American History X â€Å"Hate is baggage. Lifes too short to be pissed off all the time†. This is a quote from the film American History X. This film sends out a powerful message about hate groups such as skinheads and Neo-Nazis. The vision of this movie is to make others aware of the complex life of a skinhead. Through different symbolism we see how society views this group. We also are made aware of the continuous cycle of violence that continues to existRead MoreAmerican History X : Tony Kaye Essay1651 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican History X (Tony Kaye. 1998), is an example of a Hollywood film that boldly embodies Bernardi’s argument; â€Å"US cinema has consistently constructed whiteness, the representation and narrative form of Eurocentrism, as the norm by which all ‘Others’ fail by comparison† (Bernardi page5). The plotline centres on the main character; a former neo-Nazi skinhead named Derek Vinyard, and his attempt to stop his younger brother- Danny Vin yard from getting involved in the white supremacy gangs of LosRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie American History X 1586 Words   |  7 PagesIn the movie, â€Å"American History X†, the plot surrounds the life of two brothers who are involved with the D.O.C. a well-known white supremacist group in Venice Beach. Danny Vinyard is a high school student who admires his older brother, Derek, a former skinhead. Through the incarceration of his brother Derek, Danny becomes more affiliated with the skinheads and is mentioned at times as being the resemblance of his elder brother. The movie begins with flashbacks of Derek’s incarceration, and everythingRead MoreRacism in American History X951 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican History X is clearly a film dealing with racism. The interesting thing about this film is the way in which the subject is treated. First of all, it is obvious that, though racism is always a difficult subject to deal with, American History X presents it witho ut any reservations or dumming down. Second, the films figurehead for racism, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), is not an unintelligent redneck racist as films often portray them, but is in fact well-spoken, charismatic and intelligentRead MoreEssay on Racism in American History X936 Words   |  4 Pages American History X is clearly a film dealing with racism. The interesting thing about this film is the way in which the subject is treated. First of all, it is obvious that, though racism is always a difficult subject to deal with, American History X presents it without any reservations or dumming down. Second, the films figurehead for racism, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), is not an unintelligent redneck racist as films often portray them, but is in fact well-spoken, charismatic and intelligentRead MoreMovie Review : Falls Short Of Expectations 1407 Words   |  6 PagesIndeed, American History X; directed by Tony Kaye is a film just about that subject and absolutely gives the vi ewers watching it an immense amount of violence. There have been critics like Peter Travers; movie critic from Rolling Stone Magazine, for instants, who have gone on to praise the film and even calling it â€Å"An explosive, scorched-earth drama.† They explain how the film was powerful and important for people to watch. Other critics, such as Ed. Jim Craddock has stated that the film â€Å"falls short