How each film uses aesthetics to offer a truth about the world Essay

How each film uses aesthetics to offer a truth about the world - Essay Example There are some documentaries that unsettle you to the deepest core of your being, putting you right off your brunch. I'm looking at you, capturing the Friedman’s. There are others that remind you that though the world can be a place fraught with suffering, it is also replete with miracles. Searching for Sugar Man is definitely in the latter category. The 2012 film (and that year's Best Documentary Feature winner) chronicles the rise and fall and unexpected re-rise of a Mexican-American singer-songwriter with all of Bob Dylan's poetic lyricism and righteous anti-establishment rage and none of his success: Rodriguez. After a couple of years in the late 60s and early 70s playing gigs in places named thing like, unironically, The Sewer, Rodriguez returned to a job in construction and a brief flirtation with local politics, surrendering his hopes of a musical career. Haven't heard of him? You must be American. What neither he, nor his producers, nor (probably) his record label knew was that while he was demolishing buildings and doing whatever one does with drywall, his music was fueling the anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa, and the artist himself had become a quasi-mythical figure around whom rumors of a spectacularly gruesome onstage suicide were as widely and ferociously traded as the bootleg copies of his two albums. Because of the nature of a dictatorship, South Africans had very little unsanctioned information about the world outside their borders. But even though his fans (which, it seems important to note, seem to be largely white) didn't know who or where Rodriguez was, they did know that his lyrics criticizing unjust economic and social practices (inspired by his native Detroit) gave them a vocabulary with which to resist and begin to dismantle the cruelties and perversions of human dignity they were witnessing. And when a couple of musicians and writers try to hunt down the true biography of their poet and prophet, a pretty magical reunion t akes place. One of the journalists interviewed by the filmmaker describes this unlikely series of events as sounding like "a bad PR campaign" because it was so unlike how he understands the world to work, and Searching for Sugar Man feels like a myth while watching. Rodriguez remains an elusive figure throughout, even after he is rediscovered. He slides through different names and identities as purposefully and smoothly as he walks through the largely abandoned streets of the working-class neighborhood where he still lives in Detroit, and is clearly uncomfortable talking about his remarkable story. But it's a story that makes poets of his fellow construction workers and family as they marvel at how their unassuming friend and father live a dual life as a South African rock star. Though not quite reaching the heights of exuberant aesthetic grace achieved by man wire, Searching for Sugar Man will make you believe in fairy tales. Bernie is a 2011 black comedy film directed by Richard L inklater, and written by Linklater andSkipHollandsworth. The making of the film, based on an article in Texas monthly magazine by Skip Holland worth, whom also co-wrote the comedic film with Linklater, divided citizens ofCartharage, Texas, the small town in East Texas where the Nugent murder occurred. In the film, Linklater includes interviews with several Carthage residents about

Mercedes Benz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Mercedes Benz - Essay Example The growth of this particular car has not only altered the popularity and mechanics of the car. It has also enabled the identity of the company and the brand to build a stronger reputation and to create the necessary components to creating the ideal car for a specific social group. The result is the brand image being able to enhance the growth and strengths of the company while attracting a specific type of consumer to the car. This paper will examine the brand performance of the car as well as how it is continuing to affect the performance of the company. Overview of Mercedes Benz The Mercedes Benz is often referred to as a luxury car and is noted as an international car that carries style and class. The manufacturer is based in Germany and is noted for making cars, buses, coaches and trucks. The primary company is Daimler AG with the Mercedes Benz being a division of the company, specifically because of the style and make of the car. The first car was built in 1926 by Karl Benz but links back to 1886 with Kent Benz’s first introduction of the automobile. This particular model was combined with the Mercedes, created in 1901 by Wilhelm Maybach, both which were combined and patented in 1926 for the Mercedes Benz model. The first features which were noted included the approach to safety with the model as well as the approach of using the latest technology for the vehicle. The introductions which were initially created have led to the automobile becoming one of the most popular and distinguished vehicles as well as the oldest model that is still made and up graded with cars today (Mercedes Benz, 2011). The Mercedes Benz is not only noted for the different components with the history but has also developed a strong reputation which has led to growth within the branch of the company. There are currently three divisions of the Mercedes Benz, including the AMG, McLaren and Studebaker – Packard. The difference between each of these is based on the car production which is offered as well as the designs which are used. The main company is the AMG, which consists of the older make and model. The McLaren expanded this into the luxury vehicles that are based on sports cars and specialized engines which can be used for racing. The third branch, Studebaker – Packard, was in existence until 1986 and consisted of the US division of the company and car models which were used. Each division is noted for the high – quality materials which are used with factories being placed in over 10 regions throughout the world, all which lead t o the cars being rated above average and five star quality. The innovations that are combined with this include upgrades to engines, fuel efficiency, safety cell construction, traction control, electronic stability programs and power engines. This has allowed the Mercedes Benz to keep a strong reputation with innovation and safety as the main features that are associated with the car (Mercedes Benz, 2011). Competitors The competitors that are associated with the Mercedes Benz have the same approach to innovation, safety and a high – quality, luxury car that is used. BMW, Audi, the Porsche, Cadillac and Lexus are the top five competitors that Mercedes Benz is known to compete with. Currently, the BMW and Mercedes Benz are fighting for the top award in luxury vehicles at an international level. However, the Porsche and Audi are well – known through various social circles as being of luxury and containing specific features that are able to compete with the high –