Satirising social issues are predominant in Kevin Smith's films, does this make him an auteur?
Films -
Item 1
Dogma- (1999) - Director + Screenplay Written by Kevin Smith
I've chosen this film as my focus film as it provides significant evidence of Kevin Smiths auteur presence as it deals with the theme that is - his use of Satire and Social issues. In this film he uses controversial ideas to progress the narrative such as the immorality of the rich and it also looks his other auteur themes such as the use of recurring characters, racism and feminism. This film also explores the relationship between Kevin Smith and the genre of Controversial Comedy films that has established his distinctive style. The immorality of the rich is most clearly shown within the 'Voodoo' scene it therefor makes an ideal example for close study.
Item 2
Clerks- (1994) - Directed + Written by Kevin Smith
Clerks, a satirical comedy and starting point for Kevin Smiths work is extremely useful when answering my question. Throughout Clerks we see the beginning of Kevin Smiths unique style and approach to films which he uses to highlight his typical auteur themes such as lack of achieving ambitions, being stuck in life, failure to move on and my main focus the inferiority complex a real 'Slacker' mentality. This is most clear in the scene in which the main male character enquires about his girlfriends sex life. His individualistic work ethic is illuminated from shot to shot most frequently placing the audience as a customer, as if the conversation would be happening even if the camera wasn't there and by this I mean his clear cut and unique way of cinematography is outstanding. Through the use of Clerks you are able to see his auteur roots take place as most of the themes he touches in this item are also found in his other movies.
Item 3
Red State- (2011) - Directed + Written by Kevin Smith
I've chosen this as my third film as it is very useful in displaying Kevin Smith as an Auteur. It shows a very noticeable contextual social issue provided in an over exaggerated action horror film unlike his usual use of Genre 'comedies'. The contextual social issue I've highlighted is the very close representation of the religious fundamentalists to that of the real life family the Phelps family. Other social issues provided are the discrimination of gays and police brutality. I believe through the use of this film 'Social issues' can provide groundwork for an entire film and Kevin Smith does so brilliantly.
Magazines-
Item 4
Time Magazine Page 68 June 9, 1997 Generation X Gets Real
I'm using this item specifically due to one of it's paragraphs which highlights beautifully each element of satire in that Jesus is black and God is a woman which sums up what Dogma was supposed to be in Kevin Smiths eyes. His use of pure satire that would anger some people who watched it and would make the others think while hiding the message alongside the typical conventions of a comedy. I would say this paragraph perfectly describes Kevin Smiths use of satire to not only form a script but to carry his films to the great success that they are.
Live Talk Shows-
Item 5
An Evening With Kevin Smith -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpyeI_Gurxw&list=PL3CFC069C77B0AD4C
Kevin Smith is often open to discussing his films with his fans and in one particular instance he states that many of the characters who provide a radical view point or something that the audience doesn't agree with is often considered to be the dumb character but as with every Kevin Smith film he succeeds in hiding his messages in plain sight. He states his feelings about his true message how the idiot in the movie state that message thus deflating the argument. I'm using this item due to his explanation of his use of the current ( at the time ) social issues directed towards the gay population he states that he includes some gay content within his films due to his love for his gay brother and to also include a message within his films and for these reasons I find this to be very helpful in answering my question.
Item 6
Kevin Smith Bryant Park-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRQfHf1Zg5Q
Kevin Smith discusses how he struggled with religion and spirituality as a younger child as he was fed going to catholic school and church whilst being an altar boy but after viewing the greek myths he found that everyone at one point thought what they believed in was true. He states that the movie Dogma comes from a childhood catholic who 'hit a wall' and doesn't know if he can believe in that anymore. He describes that he found writing Dogma was incredibly therapeutic for him. He describes how he created most of his work through the idea that he can only do what he can do in life. He is as much as he is and he wanted to let other people know what he thought about our world if they would listen, and evidently.. they have. I can use this to present my argument for Kevin Smith being an Auteur.
Interviews-
Item 7
Kevin Smith's best interview With Stroumboulopoulos-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmtITLSu5I8
I've chosen this interview as an item as Kevin Smith recites his life to Stroumboulopoulos telling him about his gay brother and how he's dealt with the problems caused by others because of this specifically the West Borough Baptist Church picketing his films such as Dogma. He tells us that through the satire of his films this actually attracts more people to watch his work and critique it by giving an opinion on things that are hard to talk about and therefore I consider this to be a good source.
Item 8
Social Q+A with Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRJtcB6ORjA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRJtcB6ORjA
This is a great item to answer my question as Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes, his friend and coworker, explain how they met and how they created the Characters Jay and Silent Bob. He uses Jason Mewes as the exact Character for Jay and his idea for Clerks was based off of their relationship. Jay is a recurring character and Kevin Smith uses him like other characters, he uses the 'stupid' one to give the opinions of the morally wrong in the real world or bringing up the social issues. I can use this in an effort to explain how his films have a rich personal heritage and also that Kevin Smith uses a 'simple' character to portray radical views which I believe to help me immensely in argument for him being an Auteur.
Item 9
Kevin Smith Burn In Hell Louder-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMCQvLMfLHQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMCQvLMfLHQ
He discusses a wide range of themes and personal experiences within this item but specifically he talks about how he made Red state. Very obviously he states that Red State is supposed to be on over exaggerated version of the extremities of religious fundamentalism and how unethical the Phelps family can be. He notes that the Phelps family contact him telling him that God hates him because he's a fag enabler and that they'll picket his films. I bring this up because this is not only that his films produce and are formed around satire and social issues they're also thought provoking which shows a consistency of theme - an auteur state.
Item 10
Kevin Smith talks Red State Empire Online
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPrXO3aq1RI
This interview consists of Kevin Smith explaining his ideas behind Red State. While not a controversial title on purpose as a 'Red State' is pro guns in America and there are many political statements made throughout the movie he claims it's just a clever title. However, he does state that while that is by accident satire and social issues are still attacked within the film. He highlights the reference of the religious fanatics being that of the real life Phelps' family that protest funerals of soldiers and homosexuals just as they do in the movie whilst also bringing forward the idea of being a closet homosexual within a marriage. Furthermore, he then shows the audience the 'shoot first ask questions later' mentality of the government making the FBI shoot and kill everyone within the church vicinity and to leave no witnesses. This shows heavily that Kevin Smith, throughout his films, bases them around social issues and controversial subjects and uses them as a predominant theme this makes him an auteur.
Item 10
Kevin Smith talks Red State Empire Online
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPrXO3aq1RI
This interview consists of Kevin Smith explaining his ideas behind Red State. While not a controversial title on purpose as a 'Red State' is pro guns in America and there are many political statements made throughout the movie he claims it's just a clever title. However, he does state that while that is by accident satire and social issues are still attacked within the film. He highlights the reference of the religious fanatics being that of the real life Phelps' family that protest funerals of soldiers and homosexuals just as they do in the movie whilst also bringing forward the idea of being a closet homosexual within a marriage. Furthermore, he then shows the audience the 'shoot first ask questions later' mentality of the government making the FBI shoot and kill everyone within the church vicinity and to leave no witnesses. This shows heavily that Kevin Smith, throughout his films, bases them around social issues and controversial subjects and uses them as a predominant theme this makes him an auteur.
Books-
item 11
The Film that Changed my life -
Kevin Smith states that the reason he wanted to become a director is due to watching the film Slacker. He's quoted as saying "It was insanely liberating for me, and very inspiring. Because it was like, "so you can make a movie about anything, apparently." Using this item Kevin Smith uses the film Slacker as his inspiration to make Clerks. Slacker opened up his mind on movies by telling him he can make a movie about anything which means that he can fill it with whatever he wanted and as you can see every film he's made has some sort of personal experience or personal opinion about something very socially contested. He was very much influenced by Slacker and had become inspired. I believe this to be helpful in answering my question as it highlights influential inspirations.
Item 12
Sarris' Notes on the Auteur Theory
I've used this book/collection of notes as an item as I feel like it fits Kevin Smiths work perfectly. To summarise, the auteur theory emphasises the entirety of a directors work and to make great films every so often which is very clearly visible that Kevin Smith does emphasise the body of his work rather than gunning for a masterpiece or wanting a movie to sell. He creates what he wants to be made and does so again and again in clearly differentiating ways but still ascertaining the fact that it is a Kevin Smith work. By providing a ball full of social issues and controversy you are able to know who provided you with the messages.
Article-
Item 13
Truffaut's Une certaine tendance du cinéma francais
I've used this item as his theory maintains that a good director (like many bad ones) provides such a distinctive style and promotes consistent themes that their influence is unmistakable in the body of their work. He then states his appreciation to work that shows a specifically marked visual style as well as those whose visual style was less pronounced but whose movies reflected a consistent theme. This directly reflects Kevin Smiths earlier work as he maintains a very similar theme and filming style throughout while sometimes diverting his style to shock audiences such as Redstate or his newest release Tusk.
Item 14
Kevin Smiths Religious satire "Dogma"
This item serves to reinforce the fact that Kevin smith includes controversial topics and satirical notions throughout his works but especially within Dogma. It also discusses how Dogma had been "Excommunicated by its original studio, Miramax after a Catholic anti-defamation group blasted it. Basically comparing Dogma to Scorsese's 'The Last Temptation of Christ'. This shows that controversy covers Kevin Smiths work and he uses it to empower the messages he communicates to his audience.
Item 12
Sarris' Notes on the Auteur Theory
I've used this book/collection of notes as an item as I feel like it fits Kevin Smiths work perfectly. To summarise, the auteur theory emphasises the entirety of a directors work and to make great films every so often which is very clearly visible that Kevin Smith does emphasise the body of his work rather than gunning for a masterpiece or wanting a movie to sell. He creates what he wants to be made and does so again and again in clearly differentiating ways but still ascertaining the fact that it is a Kevin Smith work. By providing a ball full of social issues and controversy you are able to know who provided you with the messages.
Article-
Item 13
Truffaut's Une certaine tendance du cinéma francais
I've used this item as his theory maintains that a good director (like many bad ones) provides such a distinctive style and promotes consistent themes that their influence is unmistakable in the body of their work. He then states his appreciation to work that shows a specifically marked visual style as well as those whose visual style was less pronounced but whose movies reflected a consistent theme. This directly reflects Kevin Smiths earlier work as he maintains a very similar theme and filming style throughout while sometimes diverting his style to shock audiences such as Redstate or his newest release Tusk.
Item 14
Kevin Smiths Religious satire "Dogma"
This item serves to reinforce the fact that Kevin smith includes controversial topics and satirical notions throughout his works but especially within Dogma. It also discusses how Dogma had been "Excommunicated by its original studio, Miramax after a Catholic anti-defamation group blasted it. Basically comparing Dogma to Scorsese's 'The Last Temptation of Christ'. This shows that controversy covers Kevin Smiths work and he uses it to empower the messages he communicates to his audience.
Rejected items
Film:
Mallrats -
I rejected this film as I felt that the issues and themes in this film were too tame as it only really considers the introverted love of comic books, being dumped by your girlfriend, a strict father. While being a great film I feel as though it would not help me very much answering this question.
Film:
Jersey Girl -
While Jersey Girl does hit some controversial issues such as being a single parent and the responsibility of parenthood I feel as though these issues are not as 'hard hitting' as those of my three chosen film items and critiques claim that it is full of sentimental cliches. It also does not include Kevin Smiths recurring characters 'Jay and Silent Bob' and is not set in the universe that all his other work is set within his self created universe 'View Askewniverse' really setting apart that this film is nothing like his other work and by watching it you would not see that it is a Kevin Smith film.
Interview:
Kevin Smith Interview -
http://uk.askmen.com/celebs/interview_300/381_kevin-smith-interview.html
In this article Kevin Smith talks about the troubles of making 'Zac and Miri Makes a Porno' and the fact that it was the lightest movie he'd made. This article fails to provide suitable information to prove Kevin Smith is an auteur and frequently goes away into personal subjects such as smoking weed and playing Hockey helping him to get through personal issues.
Interview:
Kevin Smith - The Tonight Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMmpJ73RG6Y
I have rejected this article due to the frequent mention of personal issues and provides no suitable information that could help me answer my question. He talks mostly about his wife in Playboy and the making of Jersey Girls. I cannot use this as my question focuses around Satire and Social issues in which this interview does not contain.
Podcast:
Kevin Smith: The Nerdist Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bNg8s84CRw
I've rejected this podcast as it had no relevance to the auteur theory. It talks about Kevin Smiths opinions on other films and finds comedy in characters that have no relevance to his own. If there was a little more about his own films I would have used this item.
Film:
Jersey Girl -
While Jersey Girl does hit some controversial issues such as being a single parent and the responsibility of parenthood I feel as though these issues are not as 'hard hitting' as those of my three chosen film items and critiques claim that it is full of sentimental cliches. It also does not include Kevin Smiths recurring characters 'Jay and Silent Bob' and is not set in the universe that all his other work is set within his self created universe 'View Askewniverse' really setting apart that this film is nothing like his other work and by watching it you would not see that it is a Kevin Smith film.
Interview:
Kevin Smith Interview -
http://uk.askmen.com/celebs/interview_300/381_kevin-smith-interview.html
In this article Kevin Smith talks about the troubles of making 'Zac and Miri Makes a Porno' and the fact that it was the lightest movie he'd made. This article fails to provide suitable information to prove Kevin Smith is an auteur and frequently goes away into personal subjects such as smoking weed and playing Hockey helping him to get through personal issues.
Interview:
Kevin Smith - The Tonight Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMmpJ73RG6Y
I have rejected this article due to the frequent mention of personal issues and provides no suitable information that could help me answer my question. He talks mostly about his wife in Playboy and the making of Jersey Girls. I cannot use this as my question focuses around Satire and Social issues in which this interview does not contain.
Podcast:
Kevin Smith: The Nerdist Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bNg8s84CRw
I've rejected this podcast as it had no relevance to the auteur theory. It talks about Kevin Smiths opinions on other films and finds comedy in characters that have no relevance to his own. If there was a little more about his own films I would have used this item.
