Within the cinematic landscape, two films have emerged to reflect the zeitgeist of our times: The Last Roll of the Dice and Against All Odds. The former resonates with the fears and anxieties pervading online and offline life, while the latter adheres to classic narrative structures and character development, aiming to tell a tightly woven story.
Gailin
Commercial films rooted in reality typically dramatize sharp social issues. These works not only generate significant commercial value but also possess immense social significance. A vivid example is the 2018 film I Am Not a God, which was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
The summer movie season has nearly concluded, and two phenomena related to reality-based commercial cinema have arisen: first, Against All Odds, which opened on August 9th, has underperformed at the box office and received mixed reviews; second, last year's hit The Last Roll of the Dice is being re-released on August 24th, hoping to replicate its previous box office success. Why did The Last Roll of the Dice become a sensation last year, whereas Against All Odds fails to resonate this year? Will the re-release of The Last Roll of the Dice be a box office success? These questions hint at deeper challenges facing reality-based films in an era dominated by digital media.
Transformation in Appearance: Reality-Based Commercial Cinema in the Era of Total Media
In today's digital-centric total media environment, not only has daily reality been fundamentally altered, but people's perception of reality has also changed significantly. Reality-based films must respond to and express these changes. In this era, such films must not only address total media as a key element but also align with all aspects of production in the digital age, leading to a transformation in the traditional appearance of reality-based films. The Last Roll of the Dice and Against All Odds exemplify this transformation.
Considering The Last Roll of the Dice, the proliferation of social media means that audiences seek more than just artistic enjoyment and entertainment from films; they also look for social engagement. This film adeptly taps into trending online topics and seeks to resonate with the fears and anxieties prevalent online. It highlights how total media deeply influences daily life, amplifying desires and making scams more versatile and widespread. The film's fragmented yet spectacular shooting style makes it easily shareable across social media platforms.
Similarly, Against All Odds focuses on the transformation of work in the digital age, addressing contemporary issues. Whether it's programmers in tech giants or delivery drivers reliant on online platforms, these characters represent the new labor force of the digital era. The film effectively portrays the pressures of speed and efficiency, with the constant refrain of "you're late" and "you've been fined," capturing the exhausting reality of workers caught in an accelerated production cycle.
Unfortunately, despite their intuitive grasp of the digital age, both films exhibit certain creative maladies that reflect the unique challenges faced by reality-based films in this era.
Challenge One: How to Overcome Fragmented Thinking in Film Creation
The Last Roll of the Dice's major issue is that its creation is entirely controlled by fragmented thinking, resulting in a decline in artistic quality. The film suffers from significant problems in plot and character development.
In terms of plot, it replaces coherent narrative with fragmented storytelling, making the storyline feel disjointed and lacking depth. The detective elements are riddled with logical flaws, and many pivotal moments are disconnected and unexplained. Regarding characters, they are either overly functional or one-dimensional, preventing viewers from forming deep connections with them. For example, the antagonist, Ah Cai, lacks any backstory or motivation, serving merely as a plot device. These shortcomings have led to poor audience reception, with some critics labeling the film as an anti-fraud public service announcement.
While short videos and social media increasingly influence film creation and marketing, audiences still seek the cinematic experience. Films that rely solely on topical buzz and trends will not sustain long-term success. To overcome the tendency towards fragmented thinking and neglect of artistry and entertainment, filmmakers must engage with the rich traditions of cinema. Classic narrative and character-building techniques remain relevant, whether through character-driven plots, genre stories, or avant-garde approaches. By embracing these traditions, filmmakers can avoid the pitfalls of transient popularity followed by criticism.
Challenge Two: How Old Cinematic Approaches Address New Era Issues
Compared to The Last Roll of the Dice, Against All Odds employs classic narrative structures and character development, aiming to craft a compelling and relatable protagonist. While this approach is sound, it inadvertently applies an outdated cinematic mindset to contemporary issues. As one perceptive viewer noted, a film tackling postmodern societal problems uses a premodern narrative logic.
The film's focus on Gao Zhilei's personal struggles and triumphs follows a traditional narrative centered around an active individual driven by desire. However, this approach falls short in exploring the complexities of the digital age, where individuals are surrounded by various media and controlled by systems and algorithms, leading to feelings of powerlessness. The film's emphasis on personal struggle not only diverges from the critical social issues of the digital era but also obscures them. The realistic portrayal of delivery drivers' working conditions serves merely as a backdrop for Gao Zhilei's journey, failing to strike a chord with contemporary audiences.
To create films that resonate with the digital age, filmmakers must break free from conventional approaches and broaden their horizons. Inspiration can be drawn from experimental films that blend documentary and narrative elements, offering a nuanced view of contemporary media realities. Cross-media thinking can also provide creative inspiration. For instance, game studies propose a concept called "game realism," which explores the underlying rules and logic of the world through gameplay. Applying this concept to reality-based films could lead to innovative works that provoke deeper contemplation among viewers. The summer blockbuster Catch Me If You Can demonstrates a degree of game realism, resonating with audiences.
Additionally, international cinema offers valuable insights. Hollywood has seen a rise in "unresolvable" films, designed to address the challenges of the digital age. These films must cater to diverse media formats and appeal to a fragmented audience. Their ambiguous structure allows different media and viewers to find what they need within the film, fostering reflection and discovery. Last year's commercial success, Barbie, adopted this innovative form and achieved great acclaim.