French

stereotypes in

movies

“Oh la la”!!!

This video speaks for itselfEven in this multimedia era, in which the information is easily accessible by communication means more or less reliable remain ignorant of true French culture. According to the mental models approach to media effects, Americans withno French contact are more likely to believe media display a more accurate picture of the French culture than in reality. Like all stereotypes, these particular facets of French life do exist to some extent but have been blown out of proportion.

 

Stereotypes start to be problematic when we take for a general truth a caricature whose basic function is not to establish the true picture of a social group but its most common shortcut... as is the case with the perception of French people

Stereotypes are perfect to tell a story: hence its huge use in films.

For the narrator, the stereotypes attached to a group of people complete their portrait without the need to him to give more explanations in his story

Toward the viewer, stereotypes helps understand "who's who" among the characters that appear on the screen

Achieve a dual economy: An economy of discourse, for director and an economic understanding of his speech, for the viewer

DID YOU SAY STEREOTYPES??

French are...coward French appearance

French…are not clean

French… are snob

Medias and Counter-Stereotypes

To negate the effect of the narrow portrayals on American audiences, media mustshow counter-stereotypical portrayals in addition to stereotypical portrayals.

Continuous counter-stereotypical French coverage, furthermore, would encourageAmericans to not ridicule, but respect the French.

Broadcast media such as film and television have a strong power of suggestion as they tend to maintain the illusion that they represent "reality".

Shaping hostile stereotypes, cinema can help maintain or develop the rejection of a social group by another.

Although it is common to hear about a "realistic" film or story, it is important to keep in mind that that work is inevitably a subjective shot.

people with no French contact will tend to accept stereotypical media messages while those with French contact will tend to disregard the stereotypical statements. Media effects

Just VisitingFrench KissThe Little MermaidCyrano de BergeracThe European Vacation

Some movies with strong Stereotypes

Ange R

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