Media
remains to be a powerful because it gives ways to communicate a specific goal
and objective to viewers. It is a tool used to show people the reality and also
be critical about specific issues influencing society today. Arguably, films
such as documentaries remain to be powerful instruments in helping bring change
to people. Viewers are given the opportunity to connect with specific themes
and also recognize that they will continue to be influenced by the changing
norms of society today. Based from this context, it can be argued that the
documentary ‘Hearts and Minds’ remain to be powerful to influence Mr. Horman to
become responsive to issues in his environment as well as examine critical
points that is worth pondering about.
The documentary film ‘Hearts
and Minds’ was directed by Peter Davis and was shot during 1974. The main focus
of the film is to show the negative side of the Vietnam war. Although the
intention was to create familiarity about the reason why the United States
entered in such conflict, there film was specifically patterned to be critical
about what is happening. Here, viewers are able to see the atrocities of the
war and citing different things such as death, racism, torture and anti-war
sentiments.
Looking
closely, the film was uniquely patterned to complement the interests of
viewers. Specifically, there are instances where suffering and anguish is
portrayed when a soldier died in the field trying to protect his country’s
ideals. Such results depict the harsh reality associated with conflict and how
the US government ultimately failed in this campaign. There is also the equally
racist/prejudiced view of General William Westmoreland, where he emphasized
that Vietnamese life is nothing but cheap. This somewhat created a negative
sentiment against the US campaign given the context ad perspective created by
this particular assessment. Equally, the documentary highlights the humiliation
and trauma of a prisoner-of-war (POW) in Vietnam. After being captive for 6 ½
years, George Thomas Coker showcased resentment against the Vietnamese.
The
movie also highlighted the expansion of ideas through interviews. The
interaction with people who have been directly involved in the conflict offered
a deeper perspective about the mistakes brought forward by the Vietnam war. For
them, this was a piece of history that should always be learned from. The harsh
treatment of the Vietnamese brings forward challenges related to recognizing
the value in the campaign as well as how difficult it is to enter a war without
sacrificing lives.
One way to analyze the film
‘Hearts and Minds’ would be to look at the general impression of this documentary
to people. Specifically, there is the ability of the film to be analyzed as a
form of media and how it influences people. It shows that media can be used by
people to put forward or emphasize something of value. Looking at the examples
of today, there are many films that try to portray the realities happening in
society. For example, directors such as Michael Moore in ‘Sicko’ wanted to
create a documentary that challenges the US healthcare system. Mr. Horman
should realize that media is used as an instrument to showcase criticism about
the policies initiated by the government because it not only compromises the
people, it also exposes the harsh reality that the people had to face.
Exploring the context of
legitimacy, documentaries in general also provide challenges to the ability of
the governments such as the United States to successfully implement its
policies and goals. Applying this to the film, the history of the Vietnam war
was humiliating for the United States because it demonstrated a failed attempt
to exert its full authority during the war. Even if the U.S. were fully
equipped, the location and terrain became their particular demise. Using this
premise, it viewers are then given the lesson to become sensitive to these
issues because it gives them a better understanding of what is going on. Seeing
this, Mr. Horman can realize that the disdain and contempt experienced by
people from the event that transpired especially the death and killing of many.
The development of negative
resentment or values is also another context that the documentary provides.
Specifically, ‘Hearts and Minds’ gives the impression on how U.S. supporters of
the Vietnam war developed resentment against the Vietnamese. The lesson that
Mr. Horman can learn here is that media also shapes the way we think. It
provides definition of values and how we particularly behave. That is why it is
important to become analytical of what we see or hear because that might not be
true or just a propaganda created to gather support and backing from people.
Going back to the influence of media, this documentary gives a good impression
of how such prejudicial perspectives are created. It communicates to viewers
giving them the impression that there are indeed specific conditions that
influence people to believe in such way.
Lastly, media opens up a medium where
people can showcase their particular side of the issue. Arguably, this form of
communication encourages people to become critical and be proactive to what is
happening. In ‘Hearts and Minds’ one of the director’s objective is to allow
the mothers and fathers of the soldiers to speak up and fight for the safety of
their son. The same goes for other documentaries. It challenges people to be
responsible citizens and recognize that issues cannot be solved if they remain
to be apathetic or indifferent to what
is happening in one’s country. One way or another, the problems would impact
people and create specific issues that would impact the life of people. Thus,
it is better to be critical and voice out concerns rather than do nothing at
all.
‘Hearts and Minds is also
effective because of its ability to create specific connections to readers.
Under this part, there are arguably
different approaches used in order to tell a story and piece together themes
that would persuade readers to take on a stand over the issue. Though it can be
argued that this is an anti-war documentary, there are others who recognize the
film as an inspiration for soldiers who sacrificed their life in order to
promote the specific ideologies and views.
Applying
this particular context, films are important because they always convey a
particular message. The documentaries equally provide the same objective and at
the same time offer criticism that viewers need to understand. Using this as
basis, people should also be aware of how to specifically spot these changes
and apply it to the realities of today. For example, the effect of the Vietnam
war brought forward US weaknesses and therefore should strengthen its approach
in promoting diplomatic policies. Arguably, these are just simple examples that
viewers can try to explore further as they engage in further interaction and
discussions.
In
communication, it has always been critical to convey the appropriate message to
recipients. The communication process would falter or cause misunderstanding if
the channels are not properly established. Seeing Mr. Norman also needs to
convey the proper message to others. In particular, he must be responsible and
approach the issue with a critical eye. This gives him the opportunity to
become proactive and at least demonstrate a sense of nationalism particularly
in helping promote the values and principles we believe in.
The documentary ‘Hearts and
Minds’ can also allow viewers to highlight conflicting political views. This
means that the documentary illustrates the differing opinions about how the
United States would respond to the aftermath of the Vietnam conflict and the
particular realities it creates especially on issues of today. Arguably,
political influence remains to be powerful in the development of relationships
today. People must understand that everyone has their own perspective of how
the government should fulfill its role to the people. The development of
conflict is sometimes caused by different ideals or clashing ideologies of how
to view the world. Familiarizing with these things remain to be essential as it
helps bring forward ways to appreciate the issue in-depth as well as increase
our participation in state/political affairs.
Moving
forward to the realities of today, it can also be seen that politics play an
important key in the promotion of national policy. The recent war with Iraq and
Afghanistan can also be understood from the conflicting political framework.
This means that the United States is seeking to respond to specific influences
that challenges specific ‘Western ideals’. For the case of Saddam Hussein and
the Taliban, their political ideologies differ and influenced the development
of war and conflict. Regardless of one’s position, these issues are clearly
important because it impacts all of us.
Another
valuable perspective is that politics open up ways for people to become
critical. For example, there are those who argue that the new Obamacare would
limit the ability to promote healthcare access for all. However, there are
those who believe that it isn’t. Based from these opinions, one can clearly
understand each contentions and recognize the influence of politics in the
issue. Having a detached and indifferent mindset would not only create
limitations on understanding the issue thoroughly, it also undermines the
capability to become responsive to these changes because little information is
known.
Examining
further the context of sentiments, people remain to be emotional or hopeful
that their new presidential candidate would promise the results he clamored for
during the campaign. This enthusiasm about creating the positive changes comes
from the ability of people to recognize the potential it carries in the future.
However, without exercising one’s responsibility to vote, this would be
difficult to accomplish. Arguably, everyone has to do their own little part in
making their voice heard, regardless if the candidate wins or not. The
important part that needs to be established is people tried and responded.
Equally,
the same feeling can be seen in the manner that we show concern to our family
members. Engaging in public discussion on social issues is like addressing your
issues with family members. If one creates distance or remains to be
indifferent, the problem balloons and becomes more challenging to address.
However, if one would be vocal and responsive to the need for change, then
transformations can be made possible. Clearly, this is an important step to
think about especially since everyone would be affected regardless of race,
social status and specific affiliations.
Using
the documentary ‘‘Hearts and Minds’ again, sentiments are created because
people feel that their children are dying because of politically motivated
gains. If one would put themselves in the situation of the father or mother of
soldiers in Vietnam, the story would have been different. That is why clamoring
or having a voice should not just revolve around on areas we are particularly
interested in. Rather, it should come from our willingness as a citizen to make
the country and society better. There must be the readiness to interact,
cooperate and be critical of what is happening around.
‘Hearts and Minds’ is also
instrumental because it touches on the different sentiments of people who are
affected by the war. Clearly, the conflict that the United States engaged in
1974 influenced various sentiments from the citizenry. Specifically, examples
of these groups from those who have actually witnessed the hardships and
reality of Vietnam and the people who tried to fight for better solutions to
the problem. Seeing this, documentaries such as these are powerful because of
its ability to evoke these feelings altogether and create a good perspective not
only about the war but the related factors influencing the development of
sentiments.
Conclusion
Overall, the objective of
this paper is to explore why the documentary ‘Hears and Minds’ remains to be a
powerful theme to make Mr. Horman critical about the realities of today.
Through these subjects, the value of any documentary such as ‘Hearts and Minds’
is to allow people to become analytical about what is happening. It remains to
be important because it gives emphasis on how people perceive social issues and
the impact it creates not only to people who are involved but also on how the
US government seeks to promote its political goals and objectives.
To
conclude, it is the right of every people, including Mr. Horman to be critical
about how the government pursues its policies and objectives. By creating
awareness, it helps one to become active respondents in ensuring that political
and social issues are addressed properly or in accordance to what the citizenry
needs. Also, it gives media the ability to connect people together, convey
messages and recognize that there are possible alternatives that can also help
promote change. In essence, becoming active and vibrant citizens can be a
powerful tool that can mirror the realities of today and also bring forward
lessons for improvement in the future.
Work Cited
Davis, Peter. Hearts and Minds. 1974 BBS Productions. Film
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