Digital cinema has increasingly become popular because of the growing dominance of non-terrestrial cable networks such as HBO (Edgerton & Jones 54). This is a new mode of cinema that significantly differs from traditional film because of the new aesthetic and stylistic modes it has come with. Digital cinema has greatly changed the nature of mise-en-scene as well as the language of cinema from how it has always been defined. Through platforms like HBO, which broadcasts in hi-definition, innovative filmmakers have been able to explore new aesthetic and stylistic possibilities and overcome the many limitations of traditional film. The new digital cinema technology has transformed the natural indexicality of film along with the cut into mere options amongst a host of others besides enabling new types of visual aesthetics that are hinged on other familiar audiovisual forms such as computer interface and video games (Edgerton & Jones 98). Modern innovative filmmakers are utilizing digital cinematic technologies to come p with fresh means of expression that are well in line with the traditional digital culture.
HBO (Home Box Office)is a premier site for ‘quality programming’ known for made-for-TV feature films, Hollywood classical and contemporary films. Baghdad High (2007) movie (also known as The Boys from Baghdad High) is one of the television documentary films to feature on HBO.
Baghdad High (2007)
This is a film which I wish we had covered in more detail because it addresses many of the ideas and issues discussed in the lecture notes. First, allow me to present the interesting synopsis of the film itself and thereafter integrate the ideas and issues addressed in the lecture notes.
Synopsis
Four high school students from Iraq are given digital camera to make a video diary of their final year in school. The characters are as a diverse as they can be: Anmar (the catholic) is a womanizer and soccer player; Ali (the Kurd) is an aspiring architect; Hayder (the Shitte) is as aspiring songwriter; and Mohammed (the Sunni) is yet to figure out what he wants to do in future. The four boys encounter the daily challenge to live normally as teens and pass their exams amid the gunfire, explosions, and power outages (Prince 89). There is the constant danger of eviction from homes, kidnapping, arrest, injury, and even death. The fact the footages are by the Iraqi boys themselves using hand-held cameras, makes this HBO special rather intimate and realistic depiction of teenager life not only in Baghdad but elsewhere in the world.
The film’s relation to the lecture notes
The Baghdad High film is a genre that serves to explain popular culture of the Iraq society and Iraq as a country to the world. The main idea of the Baghdad High film is to show that all teenagers in all parts of the word are the same – they encounter the daily stress of school, relationships, family, and inner conflicts. The four boys featured hold the same dreams, desires and hopes as their counterparts in other high school students anywhere in the world, notwithstanding the mayhem surrounding them. The movie strives to show that there is indeed normality in Baghdad, arguably the most violent & war-ravaged cities in the whole world. Also, the movie serves to give hope of a better safer Iraq in the future as evidenced by the desire for the four culturally different Iraqi boys to remain friends despite their city being torn apart by sectarian violence.
With the Baghdad High movie, HBO is able to provide an alternative to traditional TV model as it tackles significant social and political issues facing the Iraqi societies. Though not much of the political issues of the Iraqi war is depicted in the film, one is able to feel the gravity and dread of the violence itself. Political sentiments are given parents who blame both governments when asked about the presence of U.S. in Iraq. The parent’s desire is to see a speedy end to the war and violence. Socially, the film does well to bring to fore the fact that Iraqi students experience the same narcissistic heartbreak as do American students.
In addition, the film well defines the characteristics of HBO. First, it is purposed to heighten connection with the target audience (Edgerton & Jones 65). This is because the film is an advertised, promoted special HBO brand. Secondly, specific time is allotted for viewers to watch the film thus meeting HBO’s definition of an ‘appointment TV’. Thirdly, the film itself has narrow casting in line with the demands of HBO. Finally, the film creates identity with young and adult viewers all over the world. The movie is not for all demographic groups as it is targeted for adults viewers to make out the daily struggle of teenagers in conflict-stricken places like Baghdad (Prince 21). This compliments HBO’s unique characteristic of appealing to specific older, more established, and successful subscribers for fundraising. Generally, Baghdad High is an original film that has built deep and long lasting relationship between subscribers and the HBO, making it a “must-see” TV.
Reference:
Edgerton, R. G. & Jones, P. J. The Essential HBO Reader. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2008.
Prince, S. Firestorm: American Film in the Age of Terrorism. New York: Columbia University Press, 2009.
