Film and The Third Worldism

Many Western youth supports the abolishment of Vietnam War, and instead supports
communism and third world philosophies (Maoism, Cuban, etc.) However, it becomes very ironic when the Vietnam and other third world countries have started to rebel against them, because in fact the government (especially U.S toward Vietnam) has taken many people’s lives. Until several years later some filmmakers studied film in Europe and decided to make films in different styles as a part of political weapon. It starts like this.

The rise of third world films has established during 1960’s until 70’s (most active during 70’s),
where Vietnam has lost the relationship with Soviet Union, and gain sovereignty out of imperialism
oppression. Other countries such as Egypt, Turkey, India, Africa, Cuba and others strive to be on their
own by making films as a part of rebellious stance on colonialism, by creating films that are inspired by Art Films.

For example, the Turkish film named Umut (Hope; ‘1970’) implies Italian neorealism approach by
describing the life of a taxi man who struggles hard to win the lottery, while everybody laughed at him. This film is inspired by neorealism because it uses the story angle of a horse taxi driver who strives to be rich in order to sustain his family’s living, after his horse passed away (Serif Gören, 1970) . From this moment, many third world countries created political films with the aim of political rebellion toward the imperialists after the invasion. Then why were they inspired by European films? Because in these days the United States has strived to conquer the world, that many aesthetics of their culture doctrines many third world countries, yet wreck their political virtue as well, for instance in Vietnam, Turkey, and Africa. But on the other hand, South America was haunted by American films. The influence of Hollywood market has successfully doctrine South America by giving the aspects of their music, star system, and the glamorous system of Hollywood studios, while at the same time they imply neorealism technique as well; although the main purpose of the film style is to create a political movement.

I believe that this era of Third Worldism influenced many countries in many ways. Some
European films might be inspired by Italian Neoralism and Soviet Montage instead of Hollywood, while Hollywood can influence how the movie industry works in South America, yet being rebellious with North America also. I think the influence of film styles had greatly doctrine third world countries, while at the same time they have their voice for their own country. It is not just about the film style, but it is about their life story; their angle of what the filmmakers want to say about their condition. It is like the other side of youth rebellion.