Plz respond to theses students about what they write about the
ASSIGNMENT
Watch the 20-minute short film “ “Plastic Bag.” Click here to read a transcript.
Source: Futures Stes. Plastic Bag by Ramin Bahrani. Retrieved from http://futurestates.tv/episodes/plastic-bag
As you watch, evaluate how the film demonstrates elements from at least two other units in this course. For example, are there mythic elements? How are images used as art? What is the story and can you relate to it? Does the film offer a moral dilemma? How does music function in the film? How are happiness or freedom addressed?
In your response, address the “Plastic Bag” film, and connect the Unit 8 Janaro course text reading material. The reply should explain how the unit concepts are presented in the film and what we can learn from the analysis of film via other Humanities fields. Be specific with your examples of 2 Humanities topics and reading material connections; include APA formatting.
STUDENT 1
The story is about the “life” of a plastic bag commonly found in supermarkets. We follow the plastic bag from beginning in the supermarket to end, when it reaches the Pacific Ocean trash vortex.
The plastic bag documentary uses artistic filing in order to capture the audiences attention. There is symmetrical footage of the bag floating down the middle of a tree-lined road and then down a train track. The beautiful natural light makes the bag appear more appealing than it really is. And then the naturally colored bag gently floats in the air with a red plastic bag. The two move gently like kites against the brilliant blue sky and surrounded by bright green trees. The film is intense realism, which may not appear to be art in the eyes of all. The bag floating gently reminded me of Christo’s “Gates” which were in Central Park back in 2004 – primarily because of the gentle floating of the bag(s).
There is a moral dilemma in this film – we learn quite prominently at the end of the film exactly what it is that we are doing wrong in the profound statement, “I wish you created me so that I could die”. The plastic bag is not biodegradable, it lives on forever in the Pacific Ocean. As humans, we are at fault for polluting our environment and that of the ocean.
Source:
Futures Stes. Plastic Bag by Ramin Bahrani. Retrieved from http://futurestates.tv/episodes/plastic-bag
Janaro, R. P., & Altshuler, T. C. (2012). The art of being human: The humanities as a technique for living (Kaplan University 3rd custom ed.). New York: Pearson Education.
STUDENT 2
There is definitely a moral dilemma in this film. The bag is polluting the earth. The bag wants to be able to breakdown or “die” as it stated in the film. The fish were eating the bag and the seagulls were pecking at it. The way the it was filmed reminded me of an artsy type view. The angles and the scenery offered an artsy feel. The scenery was beautiful (for the most part) which makes the viewer happy but the film itself doesn’t really make one happy. However, the bag itself went through it’s spurts of happiness and feeling free. Once the bag reached the Vortex it was free, swirling around with the other bags.