13.3 The role of suburbs and exurbs in contemporary cinema
4 min read•july 30, 2024
Contemporary cinema portrays suburbs and exurbs as complex spaces, challenging traditional depictions. These settings serve as backdrops for exploring themes of conformity, isolation, and hidden tensions, contrasting with the diversity and energy of urban environments.
Films use suburban and exurban settings to examine evolving social dynamics, economic shifts, and personal struggles. Characters grapple with issues of belonging, identity, and the changing nature of community in an increasingly globalized and connected world.
Suburbs vs Urban Spaces in Film
Visual and Atmospheric Distinctions
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- Contemporary cinema portrays suburbs and exurbs as spaces of conformity, isolation, and hidden tensions contrasting with the diversity and energy of urban settings
- Suburban landscapes feature repetitive architectural designs, manicured lawns, and wide streets visually distinguishing them from vertical, dense urban cityscapes
- Exurban areas depicted as liminal spaces between suburban and rural settings characterized by larger properties, increased privacy, and stronger connection to nature
- Filmmakers use wide shots and muted color palettes to emphasize spatial and atmospheric differences between suburban/exurban and urban environments
- Pacing and rhythm of suburban/exurban scenes contrast with urban sequences reflecting perceived slower pace of life outside city centers
Narrative Functions
- Contemporary films juxtapose suburban/exurban and urban settings to highlight themes of escape, return, or transformation in character arcs and narrative structures
- Suburban and exurban settings serve as catalysts for character transformation with protagonists embracing or rejecting perceived values and lifestyles of these spaces
- Physical layout and social dynamics of suburban/exurban spaces create unique conflicts (tension between privacy and community, struggle to maintain individuality)
- Depiction of newcomers or outsiders in suburban/exurban narratives highlights and challenges established community dynamics and character identities
Social Dynamics in Suburban Narratives
Evolving Demographics
- Contemporary cinema portrays suburbs and exurbs as increasingly diverse spaces challenging traditional depiction of homogeneous, middle-class white communities
- Films address growing cultural diversity in suburbs and exurbs exploring themes of integration, conflict, and cultural exchange (interracial friendships, cultural festivals)
- Representation of racial and ethnic diversity in suburban/exurban settings examines issues of integration, discrimination, and cultural identity (language barriers, cultural celebrations)
- Portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and issues in suburban/exurban settings highlights changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality outside urban centers (coming out stories, same-sex marriages)
Economic and Technological Shifts
- Films explore themes of economic instability reflecting real-world issues (2008 financial crisis, foreclosures, job losses)
- Representation of technology and social media in suburban/exurban settings highlights changing social dynamics and connectivity in once-isolated spaces (online communities, remote work)
- Depiction of suburban and exurban spaces reflects evolving attitudes towards work-life balance, , and concept of "home" in modern society (home offices, carpooling)
- Contemporary films use suburban and exurban settings to examine shifting family structures (single-parent households, blended families, multigenerational living arrangements)
Environmental Concerns
- Films increasingly portray suburbs and exurbs as sites of environmental concern addressing issues such as sprawl, sustainability, and tension between development and conservation
- Depiction of suburban and exurban spaces explores evolving nature of community and belonging in increasingly globalized and digitally connected world (online neighborhood groups, community gardens)
Character Identity in Suburban Settings
Personal Struggles
- Cinema explores concept of "suburban ennui" depicting characters struggling with unfulfillment, restlessness, or existential crises (midlife crises, artistic pursuits)
- Characters grapple with issues of belonging and otherness particularly when identities clash with perceived community norms (immigrant experiences, non-conformist lifestyles)
- Representation of teenagers and young adults focuses on themes of rebellion, escape, and search for authenticity in contrast to their environment (skateboarding subcultures, underground music scenes)
- Suburban/exurban settings used to explore intergenerational conflicts as characters navigate changing social norms and expectations (traditional vs. progressive values)
Aspirational Themes
- Films challenge myth of using suburban/exurban settings to critique notions of upward mobility and middle-class aspirations (financial struggles, unfulfilled dreams)
- Characters often embrace or reject perceived values and lifestyles associated with suburban/exurban spaces (conformity vs. individuality)
- Depiction of newcomers or outsiders serves to highlight and challenge established community dynamics and character identities (cultural clashes, assimilation struggles)
Suburbs and Themes of Class, Race, and Identity
Class Dynamics
- Recent cinema uses suburban and exurban spaces to explore class tensions depicting coexistence of affluent and working-class communities (gated communities, service workers)
- Films address themes of and displacement reflecting real-world demographic shifts in suburban and exurban areas (rising property values, changing neighborhood demographics)
- Suburban/exurban settings used to examine intersection of personal and national identity particularly in context of post-9/11 America and War on Terror (surveillance, patriotism)
Cultural Representation
- Representation of racial and ethnic diversity serves as lens to examine issues of integration, discrimination, and cultural identity in contemporary society (multicultural neighborhoods, interracial relationships)
- Portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and issues highlights changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality outside urban centers (pride events in suburbs, LGBTQ+ youth support groups)
- Films explore evolving nature of community and belonging in globalized and digitally connected world (online cultural exchanges, international adoptions)
Social Critique
- Contemporary films challenge traditional depictions of homogeneous, middle-class white communities in suburbs and exurbs (diverse cast representations, multilingual dialogues)
- Cinema uses suburban/exurban settings to critique notions of upward mobility and middle-class aspirations (financial struggles, unfulfilled career goals)
- Depiction of suburban and exurban spaces examines shifting attitudes towards work-life balance, commuting, and concept of "home" (remote work setups, long commute challenges)
Key Terms to Review (18)
Academy Award for Best Picture: The Academy Award for Best Picture is an esteemed accolade presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recognizing the finest film of the year. This prestigious award highlights the significance of storytelling in cinema and often reflects broader societal themes, making it a crucial aspect of film industry recognition.
Aerial Shots: Aerial shots are high-angle shots taken from an elevated perspective, often using drones or helicopters, to showcase a large area of the city or landscape below. These shots provide a unique view that can highlight the relationship between the urban environment and the characters within it, serving as a powerful tool for storytelling in film.
Alienation: Alienation refers to a sense of disconnection or estrangement individuals feel from their surroundings, society, or themselves, often resulting from rapid urbanization and modernity. This theme manifests in film as characters grapple with feelings of isolation in urban landscapes that reflect their emotional states, showcasing how the city can amplify human disconnection.
American Beauty: American Beauty is a 1999 film directed by Sam Mendes that explores themes of suburban disillusionment, the pursuit of happiness, and the complexities of modern American life. Set in a seemingly idyllic suburban neighborhood, the film critiques the facade of perfection often associated with suburban living, revealing the darker undercurrents of personal dissatisfaction and societal expectations.
American Dream: The American Dream is the national ethos of the United States, centered around the idea that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and upward mobility through hard work and determination. This concept often reflects aspirations for economic prosperity, homeownership, and a better quality of life, serving as a critical lens through which the suburban and exurban landscapes are depicted in film.
Cannes Film Festival: The Cannes Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, that showcases new films of all genres from around the world. It is one of the most prestigious and recognized film festivals globally, serving as a platform for filmmakers to debut their works and for cultural dialogue surrounding cinema to flourish.
Commuting: Commuting refers to the regular travel that individuals undertake from their homes to their places of work or study, often involving significant time spent in transit. This concept is deeply tied to the experiences of suburban and exurban living, highlighting how people's daily routines are influenced by the geography of urban centers and the development of infrastructure. The portrayal of commuting in contemporary cinema often reflects social dynamics, individual struggles, and the impact of distance on relationships and community life.
Consumerism: Consumerism is the cultural and economic ideology that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts. It often emphasizes material wealth as a measure of success and happiness, influencing societal values, behaviors, and urban landscapes. This ideology can shape how cities are represented in films, reflecting both the allure and the consequences of unchecked consumption.
Counterculture: Counterculture refers to a social movement or cultural phenomenon that actively rejects and opposes the dominant societal norms, values, and practices. It typically emerges in response to widespread discontent with the status quo, often promoting alternative lifestyles, beliefs, and artistic expressions. This concept plays a significant role in shaping cultural and cinematic narratives, especially during transformative periods when society is questioning its established ideologies.
David Lynch: David Lynch is an influential American filmmaker, artist, and musician known for his distinctively surreal and often unsettling storytelling style. His works often explore themes of duality, the subconscious, and the darker aspects of human nature, particularly within suburban settings. Lynch's films frequently feature an atmosphere of mystery and ambiguity, reflecting a unique vision that challenges conventional narratives in contemporary cinema.
Gentrification: Gentrification is the process by which urban neighborhoods experience an influx of wealthier residents, leading to rising property values and displacement of long-time, often lower-income inhabitants. This phenomenon reflects broader socio-economic changes, impacting cultural dynamics and community identity within cities.
Identity crisis: An identity crisis is a period of uncertainty and confusion in which an individual or group questions their sense of self and personal values. This term often arises in contexts where societal norms are shifting, leading people to struggle with their identities as they try to navigate changing expectations. In contemporary cinema, especially in representations of suburbs and exurbs, these crises can reflect broader societal themes such as alienation, conformity, and the quest for personal meaning amid the pressures of suburban life.
Mise-en-scène: Mise-en-scène refers to the arrangement of everything that appears in the frame of a film, including settings, props, actors, costumes, and lighting. It plays a vital role in establishing the tone, mood, and overall visual storytelling of a film, influencing how audiences perceive characters and their environments.
Romantic comedy: A romantic comedy is a film genre that combines elements of romance and humor, focusing on the relationship between two characters who are typically portrayed as being mismatched or facing obstacles in their love lives. This genre often highlights social situations and urban settings, where characters navigate personal challenges and the comedic aspects of romance, making it a popular choice for audiences seeking light-hearted entertainment.
Suburban angst: Suburban angst refers to the feelings of dissatisfaction, anxiety, and restlessness experienced by individuals living in suburban environments. This phenomenon often highlights the tension between the idealized image of suburban life and the reality of monotony, isolation, and discontent that some residents face, which has been a recurring theme in contemporary cinema.
Suburban horror: Suburban horror is a genre of film and literature that explores the dark, unsettling aspects of suburban life, often juxtaposing the idealized image of suburban living with underlying fears, anxieties, and social issues. This genre highlights how the seemingly safe and serene environment of suburbs can harbor hidden dangers, creating a sense of dread and unease. Suburban horror often critiques societal norms and reveals the fragility of the American Dream by showcasing how violence, alienation, and psychological turmoil can exist beneath the surface.
The Stepford Wives: The Stepford Wives is a term that refers to a fictional community of women in the 1972 novel and subsequent films, characterized by their extreme domesticity and apparent perfection. This term has become a cultural reference to the idea of women conforming to traditional gender roles and losing their individuality, particularly within the context of suburban life.
Todd Haynes: Todd Haynes is an acclaimed American filmmaker known for his innovative storytelling and exploration of social issues, particularly related to identity, sexuality, and suburban life. His work often reflects a critical perspective on American culture, using the backdrop of suburban and exurban settings to highlight personal and societal conflicts, thus making his films resonate deeply within contemporary cinema.