Constructing crime and justice on film: meaning and message in cinema

Abstract

Films as a cultural medium both reflect dominant attitudes in society and also play a pivotal role in the shaping of our perceptions and ideas. Within popular culture, crime has long been a popular theme, particularly for contemporary film-makers. While a substantial and growing body of research exists on the portrayal of crimes and criminals in the literature, few efforts have been made to conduct a systematic analytical study of the construction of justice in film. As such, the general purpose of this article was to identify pervasive themes inherent in the portrayals of crime and justice across a wide spectrum of films. We examined the connections drawn between the narratives of justice that emerge in some films and the manners in which crime and criminality are constructed. Our analysis draws upon the social constructionist literature in deciphering the meanings and messages which are conveyed through films on the themes of justice.

Mass Shooting Films: Myths, Academic Knowledge, and Popular Criminology

“…A qualitative content analysis of films (see for example: Aiello, 2014, Altheide & Schneider, 2013Corbin & Strauss, 2007;Welsh et al, 2011) was employed to identify the perpetrator, victim, and social factor constructions. In line with Graneheim and Lundman's (2004) outline of a qualitative content analysis, this research explores the manifest content of dialogue, as well as the latent content of relationships between characters and underlying narrative structures.…”

“…The film needed to receive a theatrical release between 2000 and 2015. Since this study is examining mass shootings in America, the film needed to be released in America, by an American production company, and portray an incident occurring in the United States (Stack et al, 2012;Welsh, Fleming, & Dowler, 2011). Films not considered included documentaries, made-for-TV movies, and films depicting thoughts of mass shootings, plans and unsuccessful attempts (Welsh et al, 2011;Yar & Rafter, 2014).…”

Capes, Cowls, and the Fragments of Ideology: Toward a Framework for Revealing Retributive Ideology in Film

“…This is particularly important since the average individual is increasingly less likely to witness crime and punishment in the real world (Welsh et al. 459).…”

Vallattomat naiset – Naisen muuttuva paikka Orange Is the New Black -sarjassa

“…Amerikkalaisissa tarinoissa oikeutta on jaettu (usein ilman rikosoikeudellisia seuraamuksia) nopeasti ja automaattisesti erityisesti tilanteissa, joissa oikeudenmukaisuus on kärsinyt korruptoituneessa tai epätasa-arvoisessa sosiaalisessa järjestelmässä. (Cawelti 1975, 529-534;Welsh, Fleming & Dowler 2011. ) Tässä suhteessa rangaistuksiin liittyvät tarinat luovat moninaisemman kuvan sosiaalisesta oikeuskäsityksestä (Cecil 2015, 1).…”