Visual Turn in IR : Films

CEC
11 Aug 202226:45

Summary

TLDRThis lecture explores the 'visual turn' in International Relations (IR) through films, emphasizing their importance in conveying narratives and ideas. It discusses the evolution of IR from realism to reflectivism, highlighting new issues like climate change and pandemics. Films such as 'Before the Flood' and 'Contagion' are analyzed for their contribution to research and debate in IR, illustrating the shift towards non-traditional security threats and the role of visual media in shaping global governance discourse.

Takeaways

  • πŸŽ₯ The lecture emphasizes the importance of studying narratives in International Relations (IR) through visual frameworks, particularly films.
  • 🌐 Films are considered a visual art form that can simulate experiences and communicate ideas, stories, perceptions, and feelings, making them a valuable tool for understanding IR.
  • πŸ“š The 'visual turn' in IR is highlighted as a significant development, where images and visual media play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of global politics.
  • πŸ‘¨β€πŸ« The utility of movies and films in teaching IR is discussed, suggesting they can enhance students' knowledge about international politics by providing a 'window on the world'.
  • πŸ’¬ The lecture discusses the evolution of IR as a discipline, from realism to the inclusion of perspectives like neoliberalism, reflectivism, feminism, and environmentalism.
  • 🌿 The concept of sustainable development is introduced, emphasizing the need to balance present needs with the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
  • 🌍 The importance of environmental issues in IR is underscored, with climate change, biodiversity, and global warming being integral parts of today's diplomatic relations.
  • 🌱 The documentary 'Before the Flood' is mentioned as an example of how films can raise awareness about global governance and environmental issues.
  • 🦠 The lecture also touches on the role of films in depicting non-traditional security threats, such as pandemics, and how they can inform research and public understanding.
  • πŸ“– Several academic works are cited that explore the relationship between film, visual politics, and IR, suggesting that films are not just entertainment but can also be a method for research and knowledge dissemination.
  • πŸ” The challenges and opportunities of using films to teach and understand IR are acknowledged, encouraging a deeper analysis of the messages films convey about research, visibility, and knowledge.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the lecture on visual turn in IR films?

    -The lecture focuses on the importance of studying the narrative of International Relations (IR) through a visual framework, particularly films, and how they add to research and analytical information in the discipline.

  • How do films contribute to the understanding of IR?

    -Films contribute to the understanding of IR by simulating experiences and communicating ideas, stories, perceptions, and feelings, providing a window on the world and enhancing students' knowledge about international politics.

  • What challenges does the visual turn in IR present?

    -The visual turn presents challenges in teaching IR as it requires understanding the complex interplay between visual politics, aesthetics, and the spatial aspects of IR, as well as the need to critically analyze the messages conveyed by films.

  • What is the significance of the quote by Robert Altman mentioned in the lecture?

    -The quote by Robert Altman emphasizes the transformative power of filmmaking, suggesting that films can offer a deep understanding of various lifetimes and experiences, which is crucial for comprehending the diverse narratives in IR.

  • How does the lecture relate the visual turn in IR to the broader IR discipline?

    -The lecture relates the visual turn to the broader IR discipline by discussing how films can reflect and influence the theoretical debates within IR, such as realism, neoliberalism, and reflectivism, as well as new issues like sustainability and climate change.

  • What is the role of non-state actors in the context of IR as discussed in the lecture?

    -The lecture highlights that non-state actors, such as markets and industries, play a significant role in IR, moving away from the traditional focus on state-centric realism towards a more inclusive understanding of global politics.

  • How does the lecture connect the concept of sustainable development to IR films?

    -The lecture connects sustainable development to IR films by illustrating how documentaries like 'Before the Flood' can effectively communicate the urgency of environmental issues and the need for sustainable development practices.

  • What does the lecture suggest is the importance of the 'visual turn' in understanding contemporary IR?

    -The lecture suggests that the 'visual turn' is important in contemporary IR because it allows for a more nuanced understanding of global issues through visual narratives, which can influence perceptions and inform policy.

  • How does the lecture address the role of films in depicting non-traditional security threats?

    -The lecture addresses the role of films in depicting non-traditional security threats by analyzing movies like 'Outbreak' and 'Contagion', which illustrate the potential impact of pandemics and the importance of global cooperation in addressing such threats.

  • What are the key takeaways from the lecture regarding the use of films in IR education?

    -The key takeaways are that films can serve as valuable educational tools in IR by providing visual narratives that enhance understanding of complex issues, stimulate debate, and offer research insights, but also present challenges that require critical analysis.

  • How does the lecture suggest films can influence the research and discourse in IR?

    -The lecture suggests that films can influence the research and discourse in IR by presenting visual representations of global issues, challenging traditional perspectives, and prompting a rethinking of IR theories and practices.

Outlines

00:00

πŸŽ₯ Visual Turn in IR Films

The lecture introduces the concept of the 'visual turn' in International Relations (IR), emphasizing the importance of analyzing narratives through a visual framework. It discusses the significance and challenges of situating IR issues within films, which are a form of visual art that communicates ideas, stories, and perceptions. The lecture references the works of Robert Altman and Peter Jackson to highlight the immersive and personal nature of filmmaking. It also mentions the increasing importance of images in IR, as noted by Michelle and Robert Gregg, and how films can serve as a window to the world, aiding in the understanding of international politics.

05:01

🌿 IR Paradigms and Environmental Issues

This section delves into the evolution of IR as a discipline, initially dominated by realism, then moving towards a reflectivist perspective that acknowledges human agency and individual experiences. It discusses the emergence of new issues post-Cold War, such as feminism, environmentalism, and critical security studies, which have become integral to the IR agenda. The concept of sustainable development, as defined by the Brundtland Commission in 1987, is highlighted, emphasizing the need to balance present needs with future generations' abilities. The lecture also references Leonardo DiCaprio's documentary 'Before the Flood' and his address to the United Nations, underscoring the urgency of environmental issues in global governance.

10:03

🌐 Redefining Security in IR

The paragraph discusses the redefinition of security and IR in the modern context, moving beyond traditional state-centric views to include economic, health, and environmental securities. It mentions the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on rethinking warfare and security, distinguishing between pandemics and epidemics. The lecture references the IPBES report, which warns about future pandemics, and the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of ecological issues, climate change, and biodiversity in global governance. It also introduces the film 'Outbreak' as an example of how films can reflect and predict IR issues.

15:03

πŸ“½οΈ Films as a Medium for IR Issues

This section explores how films like 'Outbreak' and 'Contagion' have depicted important IR issues such as pandemics, highlighting the role of visual media in shaping public understanding and discourse. It discusses the academic work of scholars like Cynthia Weber and Joel Campbell, who analyze the relationship between visual culture, space, and power in IR. The lecture emphasizes the importance of considering the spatial and visual aspects of IR, as well as the personal and everyday implications of global politics, as portrayed in films.

20:05

🌟 The Power of Visual Politics

The lecture examines the role of visual politics and aesthetics in IR, particularly in the digital age where the power of images is paramount. It references Sophie Harman's work on the importance of film as a method for research and visibility in IR. The paragraph discusses the evolution of IR theories and concepts through films like 'Star Trek' and 'Star Wars,' which have reflected ideological tensions and power dynamics over time. The lecture also stresses the importance of understanding the political processes of film production and the role of films in disseminating knowledge and information in IR.

25:05

🌱 Challenges and Innovations in Visual IR

The final paragraph summarizes the lecture's key points, emphasizing the importance of the visual turn in IR and the role of films in understanding contemporary issues such as sustainable development, climate change, and pandemics. It acknowledges the challenges and opportunities presented by visual politics and the aesthetics turn in IR, encouraging a deeper analysis of the messages conveyed by films. The lecture concludes by inviting feedback and emphasizing the dynamic and evolving nature of IR as a discipline.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Visual Turn

The 'Visual Turn' refers to the increased importance of visual media in shaping our understanding of the world. In the context of the video, this concept is used to highlight how films and visual narratives have become integral to interpreting and teaching International Relations (IR). The video mentions that images in IR have become increasingly important, suggesting a shift from text-based analysis to a more visual, multimedia approach.

πŸ’‘International Relations (IR)

International Relations is the academic study of the relationships between countries and how they interact with each other. The video discusses how IR has evolved from being dominated by realism to incorporating a broader range of perspectives. It also touches upon how IR is studied through films, which provide a visual framework to understand complex international issues.

πŸ’‘Realism

Realism is a dominant school of thought in IR that focuses on the conflictual aspects of international reality, emphasizing statism, self-help, and survival. The video explains that realism was the first IR debate and has been challenged by other perspectives over time. It also contrasts realism with idealism, which focuses on cooperation.

πŸ’‘Neorealism

Neorealism is a refined form of realism that views international relations through a structural lens. It suggests that the international system's structure, rather than individual state actions, is the primary determinant of state behavior. The video mentions the 'new neo debate' where neorealism and neoliberalism are contrasted, highlighting the importance of non-state actors.

πŸ’‘Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development refers to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The video discusses the Brundtland Commission's definition and how environmental issues have become an important part of IR, moving away from the traditional focus on state-centric high politics.

πŸ’‘Pandemic

A pandemic is a widespread disease outbreak that occurs over a large region, crossing international boundaries and affecting a large number of people. The video uses the COVID-19 pandemic as an example to discuss how films can reflect and inform about global health issues, contributing to the understanding of non-traditional security threats in IR.

πŸ’‘Film

In the video, 'film' is used to refer to motion pictures or movies that communicate stories and ideas through a sequence of images and sound. Films are presented as a medium that can enhance learning about IR by providing a visual representation of complex issues, such as climate change and global governance.

πŸ’‘Global Governance

Global Governance refers to the complex system of formal and informal institutions, rules, and regulations that guide and manage international affairs. The video discusses how films can contribute to the discourse on global governance by presenting narratives that highlight the interconnectedness of issues like climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

πŸ’‘Non-Traditional Security Threats

Non-Traditional Security Threats are challenges that do not fit within the conventional understanding of military or political threats. The video mentions pandemics, technology, and ecology as examples of such threats. It suggests that films can play a role in raising awareness and understanding of these issues within the context of IR.

πŸ’‘Reflectivism

Reflectivism is a perspective in IR that emphasizes the significance of human agency, individual experiences, and the social construction of reality. The video suggests a shift towards reflectivism post-Cold War, indicating a move away from rational perspectives to a more human-centered approach in understanding international politics.

πŸ’‘Documentary

A documentary is a non-fictional film that presents factual information about a particular subject. The video references 'Before the Flood' as an example of a documentary that contributes to the understanding of environmental issues within IR, illustrating the role of visual media in educating the public about global challenges.

Highlights

Importance of studying IR narratives through a visual framework

Films as a medium to simulate experiences and communicate ideas in IR

Robert Altman and Peter Jackson's perspectives on filmmaking

Visual turn in IR and the increasing importance of images

Utility of movies and films in learning about international politics

Challenges of teaching IR through movies

Realist paradigm and its evolution in IR

Neo-neo debate and the emergence of non-state actors in IR

End of the Cold War and the shift towards reflectivist perspective in IR

Importance of sustainable development in contemporary IR agenda

Our Common Future 1987 report by the Brundtland Commission

The role of visual turn in IR through films like 'Before the Flood'

Leonardo DiCaprio's documentary and UN address on climate change

The multi-dimensional nature of security in IR

Pandemic as a new form of warfare and its impact on IR

IPBES report warning about future pandemics

Films like 'Outbreak' and 'Contagion' reflecting IR issues

Books on the intersection of IR and film

The role of visual politics and aesthetics in IR

Films as a method for research and knowledge dissemination in IR

Challenges and opportunities of the visual turn in IR

Transcripts

play00:08

[Music]

play00:26

greetings to all

play00:28

welcome to cec lecture

play00:31

the topic of analysis for the lecture is

play00:34

visual

play00:35

turn in ir

play00:38

films

play00:40

in this lecture

play00:41

we shall explain the importance of

play00:44

studying the narrative of ir through the

play00:47

visual framework

play00:49

this lecture shall also discuss

play00:52

importance as well as challenges

play00:55

in situating issues of international

play00:57

relations through the films

play01:00

this lecture shall elaborate on how

play01:03

films add to research and analytical

play01:06

information question

play01:08

in the discipline

play01:11

film also called in the popular parlance

play01:14

movie

play01:15

motion picture

play01:17

moving picture

play01:19

photo play

play01:21

film

play01:22

is a work of visual art that simulates

play01:25

experiences

play01:27

and otherwise communicates ideas stories

play01:31

perceptions feelings

play01:34

films enact a story by sound

play01:37

and a sequence of images

play01:39

giving the illusion of continuous

play01:42

movement

play01:45

robert altman said filmmaking is a

play01:48

chance to live many lifetimes

play01:53

peter jackson had said

play01:55

the most honest form of film making is

play01:58

to make a film for yourself

play02:01

now with this let us understand the

play02:04

visual turn in ir with respect to films

play02:09

michelle quoted in his work and we

play02:11

present from there

play02:13

images in international relations

play02:16

have become increasingly important

play02:20

regardless of whether one believes in

play02:21

the dawn of the

play02:23

pictorial tongue

play02:25

so it is very essential to understand

play02:27

how important images have become in ir

play02:31

to this the work of robert gregg pointed

play02:34

out and we quote from there

play02:36

that what could be utility of movies and

play02:39

films when we try to look at ir

play02:42

movies and films help students learn and

play02:45

enhance their knowledge about

play02:48

international politics as they

play02:50

constitute a window

play02:52

on the

play02:53

world

play02:54

now with this let's understand the

play02:56

problems and challenges of teaching ir

play02:59

with respect to the movies

play03:02

to begin with let us first understand

play03:04

that ir as a discipline was first

play03:08

dominated by the realist paradigm

play03:11

the

play03:11

realism uh the first ir debate namely

play03:15

the realist versus the idolist debate

play03:18

there was a debate with respect to

play03:20

how to and within which manner one

play03:23

should understand the discipline

play03:25

the realism focused on the conflictual

play03:29

aspect of international reality the 3s

play03:33

of realism namely statism

play03:35

self-help survival

play03:38

and in contrast to that the idolist

play03:41

perspective try to present the

play03:44

cooperative

play03:46

side of international reality

play03:49

with the focus towards important

play03:52

mo role the morals and the idols and

play03:54

institutions can play in international

play03:57

relations

play03:58

what we see here is that realism though

play04:01

it remained the dominant narrative but

play04:04

with time it witnessed the presence of

play04:07

other perspectives namely which

play04:09

witnessed the neo-neo debate where both

play04:12

new realism which is uh which has a

play04:15

refined form of realism often called as

play04:17

structural realism the new neo debate if

play04:20

we see

play04:21

very new realism and neoliberalism are

play04:25

being debated

play04:27

now here and in this debate

play04:29

we get very important sense namely that

play04:31

state is no doubt an important actor but

play04:34

at the same time one cannot ignore the

play04:37

importance of non-state actors ranging

play04:39

from market from industry amongst others

play04:43

so therefore vani also needs to

play04:45

understand that yes

play04:48

realism

play04:49

new realism attempted to see

play04:50

international relations with the

play04:53

relative gains framework that is gains

play04:55

were seen with respect to relative sense

play04:57

but at the same time what new liberalism

play05:01

highlighted that gains can be seen in

play05:03

the absolute gain sense too namely where

play05:06

ecology

play05:08

economic development are equally

play05:09

important

play05:10

what one sees here is that the end of

play05:12

the cold war

play05:14

definitely presented new issues with

play05:16

respect to theory and practice of

play05:18

international relations

play05:19

one finds that there is a movement away

play05:22

from rational perspective

play05:24

moving towards a reflectivist

play05:26

perspective which pointed out the pres

play05:30

significance of human agency individual

play05:33

experiences

play05:34

and herein with this reflectivist

play05:37

perspective

play05:38

one finds that

play05:40

feminism environmentalism

play05:42

critical study critical security studies

play05:45

all become important agenda in

play05:49

sustainable development that is

play05:51

development which meets the needs of the

play05:53

present without compromising on the

play05:55

ability of future generations to meet

play05:57

their own needs this important

play05:59

definition of sustainable development

play06:01

was given by the brunt land commission

play06:03

in its report our common future 1987.

play06:07

now as we point out about this report

play06:09

that is our common future 1987 it is

play06:12

very important to understand that at

play06:14

this point there is rethinking of

play06:17

international relations agenda that is

play06:20

ir can no longer be studied with respect

play06:24

to

play06:24

the issues

play06:26

from the realist perspective there is

play06:28

more that is there in the agenda to

play06:31

study ir that is environment is an

play06:34

equally important issue so similarly

play06:36

when we are talking about environment

play06:39

environment earlier was not given a due

play06:43

place when in the there was discussion

play06:45

about high politics area of ir

play06:49

but with time

play06:51

environment ecology

play06:53

climate change global warming greenhouse

play06:57

effect loss of biodiversity all of these

play07:00

environmental issues are important part

play07:03

of diplomatic relations they are

play07:05

important the agenda for

play07:08

understanding international global

play07:10

governance three core elements of

play07:12

sustainable development as we all know

play07:14

economic growth social inclusion

play07:16

environmental protection

play07:18

so what we see here is today

play07:21

when we look at tackling climate change

play07:23

biodiversity laws fostering sustainable

play07:26

development they are mutually

play07:28

reinforcing issues

play07:31

so with this we present you the

play07:33

important documentary and that's where

play07:35

we bring the focus toward that how the

play07:38

visual turn in ir there in the films are

play07:42

having an important role

play07:44

leonardo dicaprio uh with the important

play07:47

documentary before the flood

play07:50

the another couple of the famous actors

play07:53

important remarks to the united nations

play07:55

in 2014 that is you are the last

play08:00

best hope of earth

play08:03

we ask you to protect it or we

play08:07

and all living things we cherish are

play08:10

history that further another important

play08:14

quote as we discuss the documentary

play08:16

before the flood and the court is from

play08:18

linado di caprio the actor while

play08:20

addressing the united nations in 2014.

play08:24

the time to answer the greatest

play08:26

challenge of our existence

play08:29

on this planet is

play08:30

now

play08:32

you can make history

play08:34

or be

play08:35

willified by it

play08:37

so what we see here is that how the

play08:40

documentary the very famous documentary

play08:42

before the flood presented important

play08:45

issues

play08:46

concerning global governance through the

play08:49

medium of the films and yes important

play08:51

inputs presented in the narrative of the

play08:54

film they further present important

play08:56

ideas for research

play08:58

narrative for debate

play09:00

further quoting from the remarks of

play09:02

leonardo dicaprio to the audience at the

play09:04

2015 global citizen festival that is

play09:08

we are running out of time

play09:11

and it is now

play09:13

incumbent upon all of us

play09:16

all of you

play09:18

activists

play09:19

young and old

play09:21

to please get involved

play09:24

quoting further

play09:26

because the environment and the fight

play09:28

for the world's poor

play09:30

are inherently linked

play09:33

the planet can no longer wait the

play09:36

underprivileged can no longer be ignored

play09:39

this is truly our movement for action

play09:42

please

play09:43

take action

play09:45

so what we see here is that environment

play09:48

such an important concern that is today

play09:50

when we talk look at climate change

play09:52

biodiversity laws fostering sustainable

play09:55

development and all these issues are

play09:58

important with respect to global

play10:00

governance narrative so seen in this

play10:03

scenario

play10:04

what we see here is that

play10:07

the

play10:08

visual turn in ir where we look at films

play10:12

films

play10:13

like what we just discussed uh the

play10:16

important film before the flood this

play10:18

documentary presented important issues

play10:22

that we all must reflect on and all of

play10:25

this recorded aspect further is an

play10:29

important issue with respect to global

play10:32

governance narrative moving forward as

play10:34

you all know that today the contours of

play10:36

security and international relations

play10:38

have been redefined as we were just

play10:40

discussing discussing the new neo debate

play10:43

looking at the further taking things

play10:45

further with the rational versus

play10:47

reflectivist turn we have to understand

play10:50

that today security is multi-dimensional

play10:53

of course state is an important act of

play10:55

international relations but and military

play10:57

security is always sacred but at the

play11:00

same time economic security at the same

play11:03

time health security cannot be ignored

play11:06

so

play11:07

what the world witnessed the pandemic

play11:10

and the pandemic really led to

play11:12

rethinking also over the nature of

play11:14

warfare that is earlier warfare was more

play11:17

direct now pandemic presented important

play11:20

case studies research inputs with

play11:22

respect to biowarfare

play11:25

pandemic is different from epidemic let

play11:27

us clarify that according to the world

play11:30

health organization

play11:31

a pandemic is declared when a new

play11:33

disease

play11:34

for which

play11:36

people

play11:37

do not have immunity

play11:39

spreads the world

play11:40

around the world beyond expectations

play11:44

epidemic on the other hand

play11:47

an epidemic is a large outbreak

play11:50

one that spreads

play11:52

amongst the population

play11:54

or region

play11:56

it is less severe like when you try to

play11:58

compare and contrast pandemic and

play12:00

epidemic dear learners you have to

play12:02

understand that it is less severe

play12:04

than pandemic due to

play12:07

limited area of

play12:08

spread now the intergovernmental science

play12:12

policy platform on biodiversity and

play12:14

ecosystem this report is verily

play12:16

available

play12:18

ipbes has recently reported released a

play12:21

report which warns about future pandemic

play12:26

for the benefit of our learners we'd

play12:27

like to tell everyone that

play12:28

intergovernmental science policy

play12:30

platform on biodiversity and ecosystem

play12:33

ipbes

play12:35

it is an independent intergovernmental

play12:37

body established by united nations in

play12:40

2012

play12:42

this body aims to strengthen the science

play12:44

policy interface for biodiversity and

play12:48

ecosystem services for the conservation

play12:51

and sustainable use of biodiversity

play12:54

long-term human well-being and

play12:57

sustainable development

play12:59

now this report

play13:00

pointed out the recent report pointed

play13:02

out that covet 19 is the least

play13:05

sixth pandemic is at least the sixth

play13:07

pandemic roughly fit race to have taken

play13:10

place in the last century since the

play13:12

spanish

play13:13

influenza pandemic of 1918 in march 2020

play13:17

further the world health organization

play13:20

declared covet 19 as a pandemic

play13:23

three of the pandemics earlier were

play13:26

caused by influenza viruses one by human

play13:29

immunodeficiency virus hiv followed by

play13:32

severe acute respiratory syndrome sars

play13:35

and then now the covate 19.

play13:38

now

play13:39

as we further go into the important

play13:41

inputs from the debate that is when we

play13:43

look at the causes almost all the

play13:45

pandemics so far have been

play13:48

you know because of zoonosis that is

play13:50

diseases caused by germs that spread

play13:54

between animals and people more than 70

play13:57

percent of emerging diseases such as

play13:59

ebola zika nipper are caused by microbes

play14:04

found in animals which spread due to

play14:06

contact amongst my livestock

play14:09

livestock and people

play14:11

what we see here is that as we are

play14:13

discussing pandemic and today pandemic

play14:15

is a important research issue today

play14:17

pandemic discussions are very important

play14:19

for global diplomatic summits and

play14:22

occasions

play14:23

let us now understand that how the

play14:25

visual turn in i are looking at films

play14:29

wherein there have been attempt to

play14:30

understand issues there have been

play14:33

attempts to reflect on issues of ir

play14:36

through the pictures through the

play14:38

films that is to give you an example

play14:40

here to take the discussion forward with

play14:42

an example outbreak

play14:45

outbreak dear learners it's a 1995

play14:48

american medical disaster film

play14:51

outbreak has been directed by wolfgang

play14:54

peterson and it has been based on

play14:56

richard richard peterson's 1994

play15:00

non-fiction book the horde zone

play15:03

now let's understand what was the

play15:05

outbreak talking about

play15:07

in the movie outbreak it is shown that

play15:09

when a deadly virus and this we are

play15:10

talking about 1995 right at that time

play15:13

there was no covet pandemic but yes the

play15:15

movie presented an important audio

play15:18

visual pictorial image

play15:21

representation a depiction that is how

play15:24

do we deal with issues of ayah that when

play15:26

a deadly virus carried by a monkey host

play15:30

from the african rainforest starts

play15:33

infecting the entire population a

play15:36

handful of scientists struggle to find a

play15:39

cure

play15:40

so what we see here is that the

play15:43

situation what outbreak pointed out

play15:46

somewhere today when we look at how

play15:48

pandemics and when how today reports are

play15:51

pointing out namely as we just

play15:53

reflected on the ipbes it relays uh the

play15:57

recent report which warns about future

play16:00

pandemics so movies like outbreak

play16:03

already this have discussed it further

play16:06

to take the discussion forward on the

play16:08

visual turn in ir looking at films

play16:11

another important film which depicted an

play16:13

important agenda of international

play16:15

relations contagion contagion is 2011

play16:19

american medical scientist thriller film

play16:21

directed by stephen soderbergh now when

play16:25

we try to understand contention this the

play16:27

plot of the movie concerned the spread

play16:31

of a virus it was concerned about the

play16:33

spread of a virus transmitted by

play16:35

respiratory droplets and fomites so the

play16:39

important message that contagion

play16:41

presented that is with respect to

play16:42

looking at faith

play16:44

hope

play16:45

grit sense of community so therefore

play16:48

what we see that when we look at visual

play16:51

aspect in ir films have played an

play16:53

important role right from the issues

play16:56

concerning ecological issues the need

play16:59

for important human action the

play17:02

documentary before the flutter has

play17:03

talked about it so right from

play17:05

understanding to important issues of the

play17:08

pandemic outbreak to contagion has

play17:10

addressed it let's understand some

play17:12

important research inputs as we are

play17:15

debating visual term in ir films

play17:19

the important work by seen carter

play17:22

international politics and film

play17:24

space

play17:25

vision

play17:26

power this book is from columbia

play17:28

university press 2014.

play17:31

in this book this has been an attempt

play17:33

made to understand the relation between

play17:35

the visual

play17:36

and the spatial

play17:38

and it is very essential as the book

play17:40

point out that when we are looking at

play17:42

the space the vision the power all of it

play17:46

is constitutive of international

play17:49

politics

play17:50

further as the book points out borders

play17:53

the state of exception

play17:55

homeland and distant others the

play17:57

territorial and the imaginative

play17:59

dimensions of international relations in

play18:02

particular are very aptly highlighted in

play18:05

this book that is talking about that is

play18:07

the

play18:08

spatial issues

play18:10

and the visual depiction of that

play18:13

is an important constituent of

play18:15

international politics

play18:18

international politics

play18:19

is not just something about out there

play18:23

as the work points out by saying carter

play18:25

that is the films as we and we are

play18:27

debating the visual turn in ir the films

play18:31

helps us to

play18:32

understand better

play18:34

helps us better understand how it is

play18:36

also part

play18:38

of everyday life

play18:40

within the state in different

play18:42

individuals and communities in different

play18:46

ways and depending on the different

play18:49

access of difference from gender to

play18:51

ethnicity so what we see here is that

play18:53

international politics has been given a

play18:57

very internalized a very personal

play19:00

depiction it's just not this is what

play19:02

seen carter's important argument is seen

play19:04

carter talking about that international

play19:06

politics is not just something out there

play19:11

films help us to understand better how

play19:14

it is also part of everyday life within

play19:17

the state

play19:18

another important work that we must take

play19:20

into account joel are campbells and

play19:23

giggs work the final frontier

play19:27

international relations and politics

play19:29

through star trek and star wars this

play19:32

important work from rauman and field

play19:35

that is it looks into importance of

play19:37

science fiction

play19:39

how science fiction

play19:41

can play an important role not only with

play19:43

respect to literature

play19:45

film

play19:45

and television but also how science

play19:48

fiction can point out towards tensions

play19:51

an example of that the ideological

play19:53

tensions that were there at the time of

play19:54

cold war or for that matter how

play19:56

technology has become an important

play19:58

pillar with respect to power dynamics so

play20:01

the book

play20:02

looks into development of star trek star

play20:05

wars franchises and discusses how their

play20:08

progression through time

play20:10

has been illustrated how it has defined

play20:13

and redefined important theories

play20:16

important concepts in international

play20:18

relations another important work so by

play20:22

sophie

play20:23

sophie harman that is

play20:25

seeing politics

play20:27

film

play20:28

visual method and international

play20:30

relations

play20:32

sophie harmon's work points out that

play20:35

visual politics and the aesthetics

play20:38

turn in international relations have

play20:41

emphasized on the power of image and

play20:44

world politics we have to understand

play20:47

that we're living in the digital age we

play20:49

have to understand that today internet

play20:51

communications technology play an

play20:53

important role and in that aspect to

play20:56

define the narrative of the discipline

play20:59

the power of the image

play21:01

is important too

play21:03

and this is what sophie harmon's work

play21:05

seeing politics film visual method and

play21:09

international relations point out that

play21:11

is visual politics and the aesthetics

play21:13

turn international relations

play21:15

it is important to emphasize on the

play21:18

power of image

play21:20

so through a detailed exploration of you

play21:23

know political process of film

play21:25

production that's very important at how

play21:27

film production has been looked through

play21:29

a very deeper lens that is from

play21:31

inception to co-production to

play21:34

distribution to exhibition so therefore

play21:37

with respect to understanding

play21:39

transnational relations

play21:41

government gatekeeping

play21:43

hierarchies of film governance that is

play21:46

what are the important issues that one

play21:48

mean needs to understand with respecting

play21:50

to control

play21:52

or marginalizing the stories people see

play21:55

so therefore in seeing politics

play21:57

important argument the research argument

play21:59

that has been

play22:00

put forward how narrative feature film

play22:02

challenges and advances discipline of

play22:04

international relations revealing

play22:06

aspects of politics that would otherwise

play22:09

remain unseen and address further seeing

play22:13

politics also impresses upon an import

play22:15

important fact that film is not only

play22:18

just a way of communicating research one

play22:21

has to look at films in a bigger

play22:23

framework in a bigger canvas it is a

play22:26

method that produces research

play22:28

it is a method that leads to visibility

play22:31

advances research practice and most

play22:34

important films have a very important

play22:36

role with respect to dissemination of

play22:38

knowledge availability of information in

play22:41

international relations

play22:43

further so it is very important look at

play22:45

these innovative and compelling

play22:47

dimensions that the visual turn in ir is

play22:51

presenting through films in these books

play22:53

are seeing politics through a detailed

play22:55

exploration of the political process of

play22:57

film production important inputs are

play23:00

there and that one must take into

play23:02

account

play23:04

so dear learners it is very important

play23:06

for all of us to understand that ir

play23:08

is a very important discipline and in ir

play23:12

the agenda of research the agenda of

play23:16

discourse has always witnessed changes

play23:20

what will finds that the discipline that

play23:22

becomes begins with the dominance of

play23:25

realism

play23:26

with time with the end of cold war

play23:29

witnesses new perspective witnesses knew

play23:32

in size from rationality to

play23:34

reflectivism and one also finds that in

play23:37

understanding of narrative of ir in the

play23:40

contemporary times visual framework is

play23:43

playing an important role which when we

play23:45

situate issues of ir through the lens of

play23:48

the films we get the sense that today

play23:51

communication perceptions feelings

play23:54

stories ideas all of them

play23:56

are impacted by

play23:58

rampantly well rise and innovation of

play24:02

information and communication technology

play24:04

so therefore images have become

play24:06

important so how so are films films are

play24:09

not only about presentation but they

play24:12

have a deeper meaning namely about

play24:16

knowledge namely about it's an important

play24:19

window it's an important framework as

play24:21

robert gregg says on the world so film

play24:24

make when we try to understand ir

play24:27

through films no doubt it has challenges

play24:29

for example when we understand issues

play24:31

like sustainable development sustainable

play24:33

development can be better understood by

play24:35

looking at documentaries like before the

play24:37

flood issues of climate change

play24:40

biodiversity global warming are aptly

play24:43

highlighted by looking at important

play24:47

depiction in the documentary before the

play24:49

flood talking about that there is a need

play24:52

for all of us to safeguard our existence

play24:56

on this planet

play24:58

further today

play24:59

ir is witnessing new forms of

play25:02

security threats today when security is

play25:05

no longer seen in traditional sense

play25:07

non-traditional security threats like

play25:09

from pandemic to technology to ecology

play25:12

films have there in also playing an

play25:14

important role for example outbreak for

play25:17

example the work of contagion how it

play25:20

points out that there is a need to look

play25:23

at the important message the

play25:25

significance of the visual turn in ir

play25:28

through the films but however while

play25:31

understanding the relation between the

play25:33

visual and the spatial which is no doubt

play25:36

an important part of international

play25:37

politics one also has to look at not

play25:41

only the opportunities but also factor

play25:43

in the important challenges that are

play25:46

here visual politics aesthetics turn no

play25:50

doubt are important and one but one must

play25:53

also go dwell deeper into the message

play25:57

the film presents with respect to

play25:59

research visibility knowledge in order

play26:02

to make the study more innovative

play26:05

dear learners we hope that the lecture

play26:07

on visual turn in ir films presented to

play26:11

you significant inputs and insights

play26:14

we look forward to positive encouraging

play26:17

feedback from you all

play26:21

thank you very much

play26:22

[Music]

play26:43

[Music]

play26:44

you

Rate This
β˜…
β˜…
β˜…
β˜…
β˜…

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Related Tags
Visual IRFilm AnalysisGlobal PoliticsDocumentaryClimate ChangePandemicSustainable DevelopmentInternational RelationsMedia StudiesCultural Impact