After watching the DEFA adaption of the Brother Grimms’ “The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs”, the target audience is definitely geared towards children. Each of these films that DEFA produced between 1946 and 1990 emphasized humanitarian aspects that seem underneath the main storyline of the fairytales. DEFA wanted to introduce children to stories of common people from around the world, working effortlessly to adapt tales all over the world, including Mongolian, Ugrian, and Arabian tales. These films were definitely loved and enjoyed by children and those young and old- very much like how Americans today still enjoy those classic film versions of those traditional fairytales.
DEFA films blend together imaginative plots with subtle messages that are designed to stimulate the minds of children and young people to think deeper about social issues that are from across the board- from greed to racism to exploitation and even hypocrisy- just to name a few. I am not sure how relative and common the story plot of “The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs” is to children living during that time, but I guess the other message is that hardwork and determination pays off in the end? I mean Jacob does get to marry the beautiful princess if he is able to complete the task given to him. Oh and his life gets spared. And also putting your wits and intelligence and just smart thinking to use. (these carry a lot of weight and power and change, thus humans are capable of change for the better).
Furthermore, one can see that the target audience is definitely for children by the completely over the top acting of the characters and their facial expressions are extremely exaggerated for maximum effect. For example, when the hammer flies too high into the air, the character goes completely out of control for as a response. Also, the audience will definitely know when the characters were happy, angry, or any of the other emotions because of the character’s comic effects and over the top reactions and responses.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I liked your response, especially your mentioning of DEFA showing the greater problems of the world through their films, that is a good point to make.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that all of the acting was exaggerated to entertain children. You make a good point about how this film could be used to teach children life lessons.
ReplyDelete