A2 Film Studies

Why does Steven Spielberg constantly use dysfunctional families as a theme throughout his films?

Focus Film:

1. Saving Private Ryan (Steven Spielberg, 1998)

Saving Private Ryan is set in 1944 and is about a Captain who is trying to save Private James Ryan after his three brothers have been killed. The whole film shows each man's struggle with the horrors of war. This is a good film to use for my question because it deals with dysfunctional families, this is because it is about a broken family trying to get back together. In this instance it's about a unit who feel like a family.

Supporting films:

2. War of the Worlds (Steven Spielberg, 2005)

War of the Worlds is about a guy who is trying to build a positive relationship with his children because it is a broken family where the parents aren't together anymore and the children rarely see their dad. But while they are at his house the whole world is being invaded by aliens. This film fits my question because it contains a dysfunctional family.

3. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Steven Spielberg, 1982)

E.T. is about an alien that gets stranded on Earth and becomes friends with a little boy who tries to protect the alien from getting taken away by the Government. All E.T. wants to do is go home. This is why it is a good film to use for my question, because E.T. is trying to get back to his family and the little boy who finds him is from a broken family.

4. Auteur Theory:

The auteur theory is a theory about why directors always use a specific genre/theme. This helps with my question because I want to know why Steven Spielberg mainly uses the theme of dysfunctional families.

Videos:

5. Interview with Steven Spielberg on E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Steven Spielberg talks about how both Elliot (the little boy) and E.T. need a home and a functional family. Also he talks about how the film is about them trying to get to/fix their family. This supports my question because it helps us know the meaning behind the film, which is two dysfunctional families coming together and helping each other.

Theory (books)

6. Steven Spielberg: Interviews

7. Steven Spielberg and Philosophy

Websites

Interviews:

9. A directors’ life reflected in film

Interviews:

10. A directors’ life reflected in film