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What Is Satire | Satire In Films | Music Gateway

What is a satire movie

Video What is a satire movie

Have you ever wondered what satire is? Would you like to learn more about satire? then welcome, you have come to the right place! Consider this article your definitive guide to satire and how it’s used in film and literature.

satire

We will identify the three main types of satire, as well as give some examples of how it is used in filmmaking. This is the excuse you’ve been looking for to go and watch some fantastic movies! So, make sure that you stay tuned to learn more, as well as how satire can be a powerful tool in film if done correctly.

what is satire?

people watching tv

Satire is a type of genre that utilises irony, humour, and exaggeration to demonstrate flaws and behaviour in humans. It is actually its own genre, and most commonly used to critique major events, particularly in politics.

Satire is a genre that is present in a variety of forms of entertainment, such as film, music and literature. Have you found yourself wondering, ‘what is the purpose of satire’? well, the main purpose of satire seems to be to entertain people, but also to goad them away thinking about what they read/seen/heard.

can prompt deeper reflection, especially when the satire is tied to current events. We think it’s important to point out here that while most satire is funny, it doesn’t have to be.

types of satire

watching tv

So, what are the different types of satire?

Let’s take a deeper look at the three main types you’re likely to encounter in movies, literature, and music.

horacian satire

Let’s start with Horatian satire, as it is one of the most common types of satire. So what is Horatian satire? uses comedy to make fun of a certain person or event, with the goal of making people laugh. while the event may be serious, the satire will keep things light-hearted and fun.

The main objective of this type is to cause an improvement in the person or event that has been mocked. Think of the skits at the beginning of popular TV talk shows where the host makes fun of current events from the past week. he mocks the government.

juvenile satire

So, what is the difference between Horatian and juvenile satire? well, the main difference between these two types of satire is that juvenile satire is much darker and not based on humor.

This type of satire is the best example of serious satire that aims to express anger and frustration at the current state of affairs or a current event. so if you consider ‘what is juvenile satire’ and have made the connection between it and dystopian fiction, you would be right!

think of george orwell’s book, 1984, criticizes politics and culture through the control and restrictions of society.

menippean satire

Finally, what is Menippean satire? this type refers to the critique of belief systems rather than to a particular person. simple!

You can use a mix of comedy and allegory to get your message across.

what is satire in literature?

book with satire

Why do authors use satire in their writing? Put simply, satire in literature is a powerful tool that can help authors to give their social commentary and critique. Many authors use this opportunity to make comments about the current goings on in society through their novel.

so what is an example of satire? Many great novels have been published that rely heavily on satire. For example, Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. This novel uses satire to comment on social problems and racial injustices faced by African Americans in the 20th century. As you can imagine, this novel is still relevant today when it comes to themes of racism.

There are many other examples of the use of satire in literature, for example David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Joke and George Orwell’s Animal Farm. A good example of a more recent example of satire in literature is American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis. it mocks American capitalism through hype, social status, and anger that manifests itself in horrific violence.

what is the purpose of satire in film?

cinema

So, what is satire in film? Why does it remain a popular tool for filmmakers to use? It’s simple – satire is used in film as a form of powerful social commentary. That’s if the satire is communicated effectively to the audience, of course.

The best movies use satire subtly to communicate, as it best conveys the point they are trying to make. if the movies were too obvious with the satire, then the audience might balk.

Satire in film tends to focus on well-known, hackneyed stories that audiences are likely already familiar with. this allows the filmmakers to take a different and fun approach to things.

what is an example of satire in the movies?

In this section of our article, we will provide you with some examples of where and how satire has been used in film.

hot fluff (2007)

hot fuzz satire

No doubt you’ll have heard (or have watched) the movie Hot Fuzz. In case you haven’t, it’s about two British police officers in a small village. The police officers couldn’t be more opposite, as they set about trying to solve many murders that have taken place. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost play the police officers and they are hilarious, bouncing off each other so well.

The use of satire is done subtly, through the friendly cop trope. the film also makes use of satire through the action sequences and camera work, it all seems extremely dramatic and that adds to the humor. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, we highly recommend it!

tropical thunder (2008)

tropic thunder satire

Tropic Thunder is one of the best examples of action satire. It is about a group of actors who are acting in a film about the Vietnam War. This movie stars Brandon T. Jackson, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. Soon after they begin filming, they become lost in the jungle, leading to them becoming real soldiers!

Chaos ensues when some of the actors are kidnapped by a drug gang and need to become heroes and try to save themselves from a horrible fate. the film’s premise lends itself to hilarious situations as well as great action scenes and sequences to look forward to. The movie also contains many different types of movie trailers that are so much fun to watch!

While the film is popular with many people, it has faced criticism due to the satirical portrayal of a disabled person and the use of blackface makeup to represent a different character.

this is the lumbar puncture (1984)

spinal tap

The movie This Is Spinal Tap is a kind of mockumentary that follows a band called Spinal Tap. They are a fictional rock band made up of musicians who display some truly shocking behaviour. This makes for some memorable scenes that you are sure to not forget for a while.

Satire comes into play through the jokes and banter drawn from the music industry. more specifically, the behaviors of famous rock bands and musicians. this movie has become something of a cult classic, with people finding the satire hilarious. plus, they enjoy rock music! so, what are you waiting for? watch this hilarious movie today and enjoy the hilarious satire!

wall-e (2008)

wall-e satire

You might not have guessed that Disney-Pixar’s WALL-E is a satirical film, it actually has many themes that lend themselves to satire. If you haven’t yet seen the film, it’s about the worry about the future health of the planet. In the film, planet Earth has been transformed into a big pile of rubbish thanks to the abuse from humans. This has led humans to be forcibly removed from Earth and taken away in spaceships.

The movie then follows a robot named wall-e trying to clean up the planet so hopefully the humans can come home. this movie is an exaggeration of the waste that humans produce and the damage they inflict on the planet. This is a great movie to watch with your kids as you can discuss the crucial environmental message behind the movie.

fight club (1999)

fight club

The movie Fight Club remains one of the most popular movies ever made. It stars Brad Bitt and Edward Norton, who deliver fantastic and memorable performances. The movie is about the formation of a fight club.

so where does satire come in? the film focuses on subtle satirical commentary on consumer culture, masculinity, lifestyle branding, etc. If you haven’t seen this film yet, we highly recommend it as a lesson in the subtle yet effective use of satire.

office space (1999)

office space satire

Finally, we have the film Office Space. This is a satirical comedy about the dull life in the office cubicle or working 9-5 at your desk job. This film has quickly become a cult classic, and it stars many big-name actors and actresses. For example, Jennifer Aniston, Gary Cole, Stephen Root, Ron Livingston, and many more.

This movie will definitely make you rethink your job, that’s for sure! Plus, there are some memorable themes and scenes that will stay with you after the movie is over. so if you want to watch an extremely relatable movie, be sure to check out the office space! or maybe this movie hits you too close to home, we get it!

our final thoughts

satire in film

So, there we have it – our complete guide to satire and how it is best used in film. There are many different interpretations that you can follow, however, the most common are irony, humour, and exaggeration.

It’s also important to remember that satire isn’t always light-hearted and funny, it can also be serious. this type is more commonly known as juvenile satire. It’s vital that you make sure your film sets the right tone of satire that you want to convey to your audience.

A good way to enhance your education is to check out our list of movies above. this way you will be able to see a variety of different types of satire and get a sense of what interests you most. satire in film (regardless of how it is used) is a powerful tool for communicating messages to the audience.

so be sure to check out our list of suggestions for satire in film. after all, it’s just the excuse you’ve been looking for to see some of the best satirical works.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this article and now feel fully informed about satire and the different types that exist. Would you like to learn more about movies and filming techniques? Be sure to check out the Мusic gateway blog as you’re bound to discover something new! we have articles on how to write dystopian fiction, online film courses, how to make a short film and much more.

Are you a filmmaker?

Are you an independent filmmaker or interested in the intersection of music and film? then check out our article on music supervisors. With our concierge service and extensive music library, let us help you find music for your movie. sign up for free music gateway now!

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