Cold War and the Effect on Film

Presenter: Jaden Reiter

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Fall

Faculty Mentor: Hillary Homzie

Department: Communication & Media Studies

Funding Source/Sponsor: SYRCE Symposium

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EyPRCNkr-hJy6PM6k-zII0-xV_RjhgtR

Abstract:
The 1980s was a decade full of change and uncertainty across the globe. When Reagan was sworn into office in the US, the Cold War entered a new stage full of hostility and fear of nuclear warfare. Additionally, technology was advancing at an unprecedented speed, creating things that were once thought as science fiction into a reality. As tensions rose, the media was largely affected by the circumstances in the world, causing many to envision possible dystopias for the future. The film industry saw a rise in science fiction movies, specifically within a post-apocalyptic setting. This subgenre of film resembled public opinion at the time and influenced moviemaking for decades to come.