So, it dawned on me while watching a documentary directed by an obviously well-to do upper-middle class guy, that most media is slanted towards upper-class sensibilities and perspectives more often than not. This is especially prevalent in movies and tv where the main characters are typically upper-class or even rich. I’d always had an aversion to these depictions, but I’ve never fully articulated my disillusionment with it. The problem is that these depictions of “average” families are woefully unrepresentative of your average person.
My question is: what is some media, in any format, that is informed by a working-class perspective?
I’ve found a few obvious authors out there, like Steinbeck, Bukowski and Irvine. But am interested in not only authors, but artists of all kinds and different mediums. Alternative comix and independent cinema, and things like zines spring to mind as mediums that might have more representation along those lines. Are there any specifically worker derived works that any of you can recommend?
Death Race
Serious answer, give One Second a watch. Might be the cross of arts importance to everyone in a way you are looking for.
Will do, thanks for the reply!
If you’re willing to go off the beaten path and take in some indie fare:
Bellflower
Ink
All Heroes Must Die(also known as VS)
Vast of Night
Thanks! Those all look pretty interesting. I’ll probably watch Vast of Night over the weekend.
It’s a good not typical alien invasion movie.
Right on. The small snippet I read was intriguing. I look forward to it.
The Batman incorporates a lot of working class struggles into the narrative. Batman is constantly called out for not knowing things that are obvious to working people, but not to upper class people like himself.
Huh, I hadn’t picked up on that when I watched it. I’ve been meaning to rewatch it when I get the chance. I’ll be sure to keep an eyes out.
I saw One of Them Days starting Keke Palmer the other day. Solid comedy, maybe a little formulaic but comfy.
Music: Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Dropkick Murphys, The Mountain Goats
Comics: Sam Wallman’s Our Members Be Unlimited
Movies/Theatre: Billy Elliot
TV: Firefly (feels kind of politically confused but that feels pretty accurate anyway.),
Billy Elliot is one of those films I’d always meant to watch but never seem to finish when I start. I’ll have to seek it out again sometime soon.
It’s been awhile since I watched Firefly, so I can’t recall the show’s perspective on class, if any. I haven’t seen it in years, so maybe I’ll rewatch it. Although, I liked the show, I didn’t feel as strongly about it’s quality as others commonly do. I wonder if it’s worth a watch for me because of that.
Comic recommends are always welcome, I’ll take a look at Our Members.
Thanks for the suggestions ;)
Anything Ken Loach.
Ken Loach
Thanks! I’ll look into him.
“I, Daniel Blake” is probably his most relevant work to what you are asking but it is a masterpiece at illustrating the damage that conservative austerity policies did to the working class part of British society.
It might be worth noting that his movies are almost exclusively centered around the UK.
Edit: “Sorry We Missed You” also centers around the struggles of a working class ‘Amazon-esque’ delivery driver in the UK.
Excellent! I noticed that there seems to be a lot of UK stuff that is explicitly working-class versus American. Interesting to say the least. It seems like, for whatever reason, it’s a little bit more prevalent in the UK. Maybe it’s just the responses I’ve gotten so far, but I have noticed there seem to be a disproportionate amount.
