From the notes that we have done in class, I have learned that the Marxist theory is one of the oldest theories in film. Today, this theory is used to show the struggle between social, economic, etc classes, this is often the main conflict of the film. The lower classes are seen as the victims, who are up against a larger, wealthy corporation (the evil capitalists).
I used the film “K-12” for the marxist theory. In the film Melanie, the main character, was laughed out because she suggested that she plays another role, one where she can play a hero, or the president instead of playing a “damsel in distress.” The principal is seen as the upper class, looking down on Melanie and the other students, who represent the lower class or the victims. The principal controls what roles they play and who they can be, so throughout the film, the students try to overthrow the principal. In the end the lower class were able to take down the wealthier, higher corporation/ individual, who in this case was the principal and anyone else who treated Melanie and the other students badly, making fun and controlling them because they wanted to change their roles given to them by the principal.
Carolina Torres 