Article: Addressing the Moral Decline of Hollywood

Addressing the Moral Decline in Hollywood

By Z Factor

Profanity, nudity, and violence have more than doubled over the last fifty years in mass media production, most specifically in cinema, or perhaps “sin-ema.”

When the Motion Picture Production Code (also known as the Hays Code) was abandoned in 1968, it was replaced by the MPAA rating system, in the hopes of maintaining moral standards without restricting artist's freedom of speech; however, this change forever effected film-making to come. Movies would be viewed objectively in certain categories, but subjectively in others, meaning a film's rating was decided upon people's personal opinions, less so by a standard upheld by all members. People would claim the increase of profanity, nudity, and violence is only a more realistic look on society today, a reflection and not an influence. However, substantial evidence argues movies are hugely effective to all audience members. Movies are both a reflection of the world in which they are created, as well as something which can either impact beneficially or harmfully to the viewer. Thus, it is a responsibility of film-makers whenever they are producing to think of that impact it will have. Yet this responsibility is not taken seriously, or at least so it would seem when looking at what Hollywood is producing today.

In today's world, many believe truth is subjective, and therefore the lines between good and evil are blurry. Morality deals with discerning right from wrong, and so a culture that is unable to distinguish the differences, will not necessarily realize how far it has fallen. Christians, however, do understand morality and that distinction, if they are true disciples in the Word of God. There once was a time when Hollywood had solid principles of morality, such as the time of the Hays Code which was established in 1930.

The people who wrote the Hays Code understood their responsibility. “If motion pictures present stories that will affect lives for the better, they can become the most powerful force of improvement of mankind,” states the Hays Code. It continues to say, “They recognize their responsibility to the public because of this trust and because entertainment and art are important influences in the life of a nation.” The Hays Code goes on in detail about their restrictions as to provide wholesome entertainment for everyone who watches movies in America. This meant anyone, from a young child to the elderly, could sit in a theater and watch something without any doubt or worries about what they were seeing. After time, however, some filmmakers were greatly annoyed by the restrictions and censors made on their movies. They were artists and had no free speech, unable to tell their stories in the way they wanted. Slowly over time, the Hays Code became more of a problem than a guidebook and was replaced by the MPAA. No longer would movies be for everyone. Instead, movies were only for certain age groups and certain kinds of people, which drastically changed things, especially what filmmakers were allowed to put in their films.

Now filmmakers had their freedom of speech in films and could make whatever they want. Some tailored to certain ratings as to reach wider audiences and make more money, such as the G and PG rated films. The PG-13 rating is the one which has been shifting steadily closer towards R, because of the subjectivity in the rating system. Overall, however, the content in films has grown less wholesome and moral.

In a psychological experiment performed by professors at the University de Montreal, one-hundred-ninety-three students watched four different movies and a mock rape trial video. They were later tested for results on their opinions of sexual violence and rape. The results were astonishing. The article states, “Results showed large and consistent differences between males and females. Overall, when compared to women, men were more accepting of interpersonal violence and rape myths, more attracted to sexual aggression, less sympathetic toward the rape trial victim, less likely to judge the defendant as guilty, and generally less empathetic” (Weisz & Earls, 1995). Those were the results polled after viewing the four films: one which was a neutral film, one had sexual aggression from man to woman, one had a man rape a woman, and one had a man rape a man. Weisz and Earls discovered that before viewing the films, both men and women had similar views on interpersonal violence and rape. After viewing the films, though the females' empathy had grown, the males' thoughts on the subject had changed drastically. The men were more willing to believe that women desire to be raped or deserved to be raped, and rapists were less guilty; plus, it is worth stating, the male students were attracted to the violence after viewing the films. Sexual content, especially violent sexual content, has bad affects on people, and as seen, particularly men!

According to an article in the Amandala, a Belize newspaper, viewing crime and violence on a repeated basis has huge psychological impacts, specifically desensitizing the viewer. “Additionally, medical research shows that excessive exposure to violence will alter the developing central nervous system. 'This predisposes the victim to be a more impulsive, reactive and violent individual.' Consequently, violence can 'breed' more violence.” says Dr. Elma Whittaker-Augustine. Constantly viewing violence in films causes the brain to call it normal and not unusual, though it is a very serious and real problem outside the theater.

Nudity and violence all have significant psychological damaging affects on people's brains, and profanity does as well though some will argue it's not as serious a dilemma. Language is a huge influence on how people think and articulate. When someone hears foul language on a repeated basis, it becomes ingrained in their mind and a part of their vocabulary. Profanity is a collection of degrading and base words which are negative and vulgar. Thus, when this becomes a part of one's natural spoken vocabulary, it becomes a negative influence upon them and others who hear it. People will claim the rise in profanity is merely a more realistic approach to film-making, that people normally articulate in such a way. Yet films like The Wolf of Wallstreet take pride in the record breaking use of profanity throughout the film. It's not meant to be realistic; it's meant to shock and entertain. Furthermore, when people are hearing those words over and over again, it is instilled into common day speech, brewing more negativity; the rise in profanity only progresses the use of profanity.

All these things together in today's Hollywood movies is a substantial problem that people should ignore no further. All the psychological effects these things have on people's brains make them more inclined to immorality, desensitizing them to real issues, and brews negativity. Hollywood no longer cares about its responsibility but only seeks to push its agenda and produce more money. Though some would want to reform Hollywood, return it to its glory days, it would be a waste of effort. Hollywood is extremely sexist and corrupt, with numerous scandals throughout the years and the tragedy of celebrities dying from substance overdose and abuse. It is rotten to the core at this point and has a firm grip on mass media production. Though one might try to reform it by use of another “Hays Code,” it would only anger studios and filmmakers, infringing upon the rights of free speech. 

A better solution instead of trying to fix Hollywood is to create a greater opponent, one which is wholesome and moral, without need of a code or censorship. That great opponent could be Christian filmmakers, if they produce creative and inspiring content, which they are not known for currently, but can only be achieved through audiences' support.

Christian films have a terrible reputation for poor quality film-making and overbearing preachy messages, which turn all audiences, even Christians, away from them. However, there are some great Christian movies, though scarce, as seen in the more recent film Beyond the Mask, which is the beginning for better Christian film-making and could lead the way to a better platform for wholesome entertainment. Christian filmmakers, or any moral-loving producer, should strive to make better content for everyone, not just fellow believers, for the best impact they could make is influencing audiences with goodness and moral standards as seen in their films. This is not to say a Christian message is not bad in a movie, but rather Christians should not feel pressured to always insert preaching the Gospel in every single movie, but simply make the movie they're called to make. Every filmmaker should have freedom of speech and tell the story in the way they desire it to be told. However, audience members also have a responsibility to the sorts of things they watch, and how that affects them. Christian filmmakers should be allowed to preach the Gospel in their movies but they are also free to make action-adventure or science-fiction films too. When Christian filmmakers start producing creative, inspiring, wholesome and high quality entertainment, it could be a greater alternative to Hollywood's over-saturated garbage. 

This is not to say every single production from Hollywood is immoral or awful, for in fact some great movies over the years have been made. There are many talented artists and creators in the industry which are producing enjoyable entertainment. The problem is the corrupt system of Hollywood itself, which is constantly pushing towards profanity, nudity and violence. But, if Hollywood suddenly finds itself competing with wholesome family-friendly content, things might start to change for the better.  

The way in which Christian filmmakers can continue making better films is first and foremost through support. People can support Christian filmmakers through many ways, either by word of mouth, social media, uplifting and encouraging them, and learning more about their projects. More specifically, it is extremely helpful to see Christian films in the theater, when they are shown in theaters. The box-office is an extremely important and crucial number for producers and allows them to continue doing their job. If tons of people go see a Christian film in theaters, then more similar films will get the same opportunity and more will be made. Another way people can support Christian films is through donations, helping directors earn the funds for their projects, and to volunteer if they're filming near you. Beyond the Mask is a stunning film with high quality cameras and special effects, yet it was also a movie made with enormous support from volunteers who built sets, sewed costumes, and stood in as extras.

Those are some ways to support Christian filmmakers, but there are some other ways to keep entertainment wholesome and moral. VidAngel is a popular app which allows you to censor things out of movies and TV shows on streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO and Amazon, and it's personally customized to the specific things people don't want to see and heard, such as profanity, nudity and violence. This way, people can enjoy the content without having to expose themselves to those damaging elements. Also, it proves entertainment doesn't need those things as much as Hollywood thinks it does. There's also a streaming service similar to Netflix called Pureflix which has a whole library of Christian content and more, including the movie, Beyond the Mask. Pureflix could be the future of Christian content, if it continues to grow and become more high-quality, only possible through the support of those who want better entertainment. Pureflix, or another platform like it, could be the next Hollywood, where Christians and other families, could go to enjoy great movies and shows. 

The only way to put an end to the demoralization of Hollywood and its industry, is to start something new, which can only be done by those who are tired of Hollywood's decline in morality. The problem is real and the solution is not complicated: support good Christian content and filmmakers and say “no” to the continuation of profanity, nudity and violence.

References

Haygood, A. The Climb of Controversial Content published May 2007

The Motion Picture Production Code of 1930 (The Hays Code) on ArtsReformation.com. Authors unknown.

Weisz, M. and Earls, C. The Effects of Exposure to Filmed Sexual Violence on Attitudes Toward Rape March 1995, published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, in 10, (1).

Whittaker-Augustine, E. The Psychological Impact of Crime and Violence published October 11^th, 2013, Amandala Belize newspaper