Ageism in Sports as a Cinematic Motif Based on Films by Charles Stone III

Abstract

The issue of old age in sports is rarely tackled by film directors, as one would be hard-pressed to see this juxtaposition as culturally justified. However, two films directed by Charles Stone III -Mr. 3000 (2004) and Uncle Drew (2018) -both clearly focus on these issues, addressing the issue of ageism in sports, where an old person has to be excluded from participating in a competitions, as shown by the main message of both of the analysed films. The study was conducted on the basis of qualitative analysis of films as media messages, focusing on three levels of problems -historical and social, semiotic, as well as ethical. The author sought answers to a set of questions, including the historical and social context of the phenomenon of ageism in sports as depicted in the analysed films directed by Charles Stone III? In what manner is the issue of ageism framed in a symbolic way that reveals the myths and ideologies regarding perceptions of youth and sports, which prevail in the American society? In the course of the study, the author managed to challenge the cultural convention of the opposition of youth and old age by pointing to the psychological, rather than just physical, basis for discovering one's identity as a senior citizen.