npr.org
National Film Registry Adds 25 Diverse Films
The National Film Registry added 25 films to its collection, including "Dirty Dancing", "Angels With Dirty Faces", "Beverly Hills Cop", and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan", to preserve American film history and diversity, bringing the total to nearly 900 films.
- How do the newly added films reflect the diversity of American cinema, and what specific examples illustrate this diversity?
- The selections reflect a diverse range of genres and filmmaking styles, spanning from 1938 to 1987. The inclusion of films like "Will", the first independent feature film by a Black woman, and several featuring Latino actors and themes, highlights the registry's commitment to representing underrepresented voices in cinema.
- What is the significance of the Library of Congress adding 25 movies to the National Film Registry, and what specific films highlight the registry's goals?
- The Library of Congress' National Film Registry has added 25 films to its collection, including "Dirty Dancing", "Angels With Dirty Faces", "Beverly Hills Cop", and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan". This brings the total number of films in the registry to nearly 900. The registry aims to preserve and publicize American film history and diversity.
- What are the long-term implications of preserving these films for future audiences, and how might their inclusion shape future discussions about film representation and preservation?
- The addition of these films ensures their preservation for future generations, safeguarding important cultural artifacts and promoting a more inclusive understanding of American film history. The selection process underscores the ongoing evolution of cinematic representation and the importance of recognizing diverse perspectives.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative focuses on the diversity of the selected films, highlighting the inclusion of films featuring Latino actors and a film by a Black woman. This emphasis on representation could be seen as framing the registry positively, but it is unclear whether this reflects the overall balance of the registry or a specific effort this year. The inclusion of descriptions like "objectively, one of the hunkiest villains" in relation to Ricardo Montalban reveals a potential subjective framing, prioritizing a particular perspective.
Language Bias
The use of the phrase "objectively, one of the hunkiest villains" is subjective and arguably inappropriate for neutral reporting. While offering a descriptive adjective for Montalban's character, it is opinion-based and introduces unnecessary commentary. A more neutral alternative would simply describe Montalban's character as a compelling villain. Also, the description of "Chelsea Girls" as a "voyeuristic peak into a druggy, draggy demimonde" contains potentially loaded terms. "Druggy" and "draggy" carry negative connotations.
Bias by Omission
The selection criteria for the National Film Registry are not explicitly detailed, leaving room for speculation on potential biases by omission. While the piece mentions diversity, it doesn't specify the overall selection process or what films were considered but not chosen. This omission could lead to an incomplete understanding of the Registry's comprehensiveness.
Gender Bias
The description of Ricardo Montalban as "one of the hunkiest villains" could be considered gendered, as it focuses on physical attributes rather than acting ability. While there is mention of diverse representation, a more detailed analysis of gender representation across the selected films would be needed to fully assess gender bias.
Sustainable Development Goals
The addition of films like "Will" (1981), the first independent feature film by a Black woman, to the National Film Registry promotes diversity and inclusion in media, contributing to a richer and more representative educational resource. Preserving diverse voices in cinema enhances access to varied perspectives and narratives for educational purposes.