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Abstract

Biographical films, often referred to as “biopics”, are a genre of film which focus on retelling the events of a certain person or group of people, usually public or historical figures. The genre has evolved with time and now plays a role in demonstrating Hollywood’s continued desire to promote the American Dream, the ethos of the country which inspires the population to be honest hard-working individuals. The history and success of the genre is defined, allowing greater analysis into the role it now plays in Hollywood and how it is always continuing to evolve. The three films chosen to demonstrate this argument are: The Social Network based on Mark Zuckerberg, Straight Outta Compton based on the rap group N.W.A and The Wolf of Wall Street based on Wall Street titan Jordan Belfort. A close textual analysis of these case studies is used to provide insight into how perspective influences the way themes surrounding the American Dream such as individuality and exploitation are presented in Hollywood, with a consideration into how this varies when ideas of racial indifferences are presented in Straight Outta Compton.

Course: Film Industries - BA - C2651S

Date Deposited: 2022-08-08

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13972.html