Friday, November 27, 2020

People's Century: Killing Fields - Death on an Industrial Scale

 

This film makes an analysis of the role played by civilians in the First World War, and this is considering that they made up the greater part of the casualties of the war. As the first war that was fought on an industrial scale, the First World War involved the use of a considerable number of weapons and machinery that had never been used in any previous wars. Furthermore, the film shows that despite the conflict being between the militaries of the various countries participating, the industrial scale of the conflict meant that civilians also got involved as well. This was especially through the battles spilling into civilian areas and causing the deaths of millions of people by the end of the war. The film especially takes note of the Battles of Verdun and Somme, which were among the bloodiest in the war and led to the deaths of a large number of people (Jones, 2006). The subject of the film is highly incisive especially when it comes to the development of an understanding of the major events that took place during the First World War, and the manner through which the civilian population was affected by this conflict. Therefore, the audience is likely to learn a lot concerning the war on the ground and it will especially be interesting when it comes to the analysis of the way that industrial development led to the development of weapons of mass murder.

Friday, November 20, 2020

The Human Race: A Species at the Crossroads: - The Bomb under the World

 

This film is one that seeks to promote the idea that it is essential for human beings to change the manner through which they interact with the environment or they will inevitably face extinction. It shows the manner through which the global economy has become so dependent on industry as well as a culture of consumerism that the human relationship with the environment has essentially been overlooked. Furthermore, the increase in the gap between the rich and poor in society is also addressed with India being used as an example. India is a developing country yet a considerable part of its population suffers from poverty. This is exemplified through the depiction of a poor Indian woman carrying water on her head in the traditional manner yet walking on a giant pipe that delivers water to the wealthier members of her society (Volkmer & Dyer, 2010). This example is essential in showing the manner through which the culture of consumerism has essentially severed the social bonds that existed between the various members of society and created a situation where purchasing power has come to define the way that individuals interact with one another. Therefore, this film is an important watch because it allows the audience to gain a perspective concerning the relationship between humans and the environment, on one hand, and the relationship between humans in their society and the divisions that have come about because of the development of the consumer culture. It helps in showing the course that is being taken by developing countries in a bid to achieve the same status as their developed counterparts.