Director Joel Zwick has shown the advantages one can experience when belonging, the disadvantages of belonging, in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Belonging or in this case not belonging is explored through cultural differences and how one is oppressed because of belonging.
A Greek family living in America we expect some stereotypes and prejudice towards them from the general American population, this offcourse is one disadvantage of belonging being exposed to stereotypes (racism) and prejudice. We can see a clear example of this at the beginning of the film when Toula, sits down to eat her traditional Greek food and is mocked by the blonde American girls. A high camera angle has been used to show Toulas low self esteem because of this. I believe this movie has another message related to belonging, I believe this movie tells us that when you belong to that group it is hard to belong to another group as well, this is seen when Toula wants to marry Ian Miller, but is unable to do because of overwhelming control of her Greek family.
In the film Toula is oppressed she is limited in what she can do because she belongs to the Greek tradition an example of this is when Toula is at the cafe and her sister notices a pamphlet containing details about a computer course, after an argument Toulas sister scrunches the pamphlet and chucks it away, she wants Toula to remain at the cafe unless she get married, after this we once again see a high camera angle being used to show Toulas oppression and sadness.
So far director Joel Zwick has shown that belonging only has negative implications, these being a lack of self esteem and oppression. Once Toula is free from the oppression of belonging to Greek society (after her mother confronts her father angrily) we see an immediate change in Toulas confidence. Originally Toulas body langue was negative, head down, back slouched symbolising her oppression and low self esteem because of belonging to a controlling group, once she can attend the computer classes, we notice positive body language, straight back, looking after appearance and low camera angles are now being used to show her positive attitude. While belonging to the demanding Greek culture, she lost her personal ID, once the chains of belonging to the Greek culture are loosened slightly; she is able to show of her own self.
Ian Miller does not belong to the Greek culture, the director has shown that not belonging can have advantages, he retains his individuality and this is shown through the use of low camera angles, however when Ian wants to marry Toula, he is not welcome by Toulas family, this is shown when Ian asks Gus ( toulas father ) if he could date her, Gus says no and a low camera angle is used on Gus, however when the camera goes back to Ian, a high camera angle is used to show his isolation, and alienation.
The same happens when Toula meets Ian’s parents the dialogue between them is very brief, when Ian’s parents speak of Toulas heritage it is with little respect, particularly when Toula tells them the meaning of her name, once again the disadvantages of not belonging being a feeling of isolation and alienation is shown through the use of high camera angles.
Later on in the movie Toula and Ian belong together their love for one another is very strong, so the parents of both characters are forced to accept this and must forget their differences, now both families belong together even though they are different they are both similar explained by the quote from Gus “ we are oranges and you are apples but we are both fruit” positive fast paced music and low camera angles are used to show that both families have accepted each other’s worth and value and there is now a sense of unity within both families.
It is interesting to note that this movie tells us the same thing about belonging that the poem Feliks Sckrzynecki did, both children are willing to leave behind their heritage to assimilate to their new cultures
Is that alirhg tfor my related text?
A Greek family living in America we expect some stereotypes and prejudice towards them from the general American population, this offcourse is one disadvantage of belonging being exposed to stereotypes (racism) and prejudice. We can see a clear example of this at the beginning of the film when Toula, sits down to eat her traditional Greek food and is mocked by the blonde American girls. A high camera angle has been used to show Toulas low self esteem because of this. I believe this movie has another message related to belonging, I believe this movie tells us that when you belong to that group it is hard to belong to another group as well, this is seen when Toula wants to marry Ian Miller, but is unable to do because of overwhelming control of her Greek family.
In the film Toula is oppressed she is limited in what she can do because she belongs to the Greek tradition an example of this is when Toula is at the cafe and her sister notices a pamphlet containing details about a computer course, after an argument Toulas sister scrunches the pamphlet and chucks it away, she wants Toula to remain at the cafe unless she get married, after this we once again see a high camera angle being used to show Toulas oppression and sadness.
So far director Joel Zwick has shown that belonging only has negative implications, these being a lack of self esteem and oppression. Once Toula is free from the oppression of belonging to Greek society (after her mother confronts her father angrily) we see an immediate change in Toulas confidence. Originally Toulas body langue was negative, head down, back slouched symbolising her oppression and low self esteem because of belonging to a controlling group, once she can attend the computer classes, we notice positive body language, straight back, looking after appearance and low camera angles are now being used to show her positive attitude. While belonging to the demanding Greek culture, she lost her personal ID, once the chains of belonging to the Greek culture are loosened slightly; she is able to show of her own self.
Ian Miller does not belong to the Greek culture, the director has shown that not belonging can have advantages, he retains his individuality and this is shown through the use of low camera angles, however when Ian wants to marry Toula, he is not welcome by Toulas family, this is shown when Ian asks Gus ( toulas father ) if he could date her, Gus says no and a low camera angle is used on Gus, however when the camera goes back to Ian, a high camera angle is used to show his isolation, and alienation.
The same happens when Toula meets Ian’s parents the dialogue between them is very brief, when Ian’s parents speak of Toulas heritage it is with little respect, particularly when Toula tells them the meaning of her name, once again the disadvantages of not belonging being a feeling of isolation and alienation is shown through the use of high camera angles.
Later on in the movie Toula and Ian belong together their love for one another is very strong, so the parents of both characters are forced to accept this and must forget their differences, now both families belong together even though they are different they are both similar explained by the quote from Gus “ we are oranges and you are apples but we are both fruit” positive fast paced music and low camera angles are used to show that both families have accepted each other’s worth and value and there is now a sense of unity within both families.
It is interesting to note that this movie tells us the same thing about belonging that the poem Feliks Sckrzynecki did, both children are willing to leave behind their heritage to assimilate to their new cultures
Is that alirhg tfor my related text?
