Seventeen

One of the criticisms of the Lynds' work by Munsonians had to do with intentionality. What did they intend to do in the Middletown studies? This is related to the theoretical frameworks we talked about in class.Looking at those four models, what do you think was the theoretical framework used by the film makers (Jeff Kreines and Joey Demott) in "Seventeen"? What was their intention in making the film?

Taylor, Kimberly A.:
I can see parts of both conflict and critical theory in this film. Conflict theory because the film emphasizes the conflict and change within the school system rather than the order and maintenance. I think the directors also had a goal to arrive at a more realistic portrayal of social reality. They did not chose the elite students, they chose the opposite side of the spectrum and showed the disruption of race and class within the students' lives. It also fit the numerous major questions and topics for investigation from out handout. I can also see Critical theory at work as well. Critical theory's goal is to unmask sources of oppression and to promote understanding of causes and consequences of oppression. I think the directors did this as well. Viewers could also clearly see the answers to the questions posed in the major questions and topics for investigation in the Critical Theory column. So I'm on the fence with this one.

Wei
While I agree that most of us see a clear pattern of conflict theory in Seventeen, I am not quite sure whether a framework of critical theory is used or not. This documentary provides a realistic portrayal of the conflicting social reality of the lower-middle-class teens including interracial dating, underage drinking, drug use, and so on. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that its goal is to "unmask sources of oppression, to promote understanding of causes and consequences of oppression, and to encourage participation in liberation."

To my understanding, a documentary producer (or the viewer) might be very critical but a documentary film should be filmed and presented in a neutral, calm, and non-radical way. In this film, although the producers intentionally chose a group of "problematic" students in Southside, I don't see that the producers took any substantial stance of the critical theory - neither did they reveal "how positive and negative meanings and identities are constructed", nor did they explore "to what degree and how can the oppressed achieve autonomy." They even did not define explicitly what constitutes the conflict.

I might be wrong but I guess a little more discussion would be helpful.

Hooper, Leah D.:
I agree with seeing both Conflict and Critical Theory. Again, as has been stated, we truly are not aware of the actual intentions of the film makers but the product supports either/both of these theories.
I appreciate having the "rest of the story" to know where people are now. I would LOVE to talk to them, though. What an interesting documentation of that time in your life.

Freistat, Sally E.:
After much thought and reflection on our classroom discussions, I think the theory applicable most to "Seventeen" was conflict theory. Based on what we know of the directors, their public intent was to capture high school life in a video yearbook. The public assumed the directors would select high school achievers, those who understood and played the the "rules." Instead, they choose to follow students who broke all the rules. Perhaps the intent of the directors was to scandalize the project however I think they were trying to demonstrate how high school experience is not the same for all students and how the system of public education negatively affects students. The directors made some interesting decisions when choose what to record. For example, we saw Lynn and her friends in Home Economics class and her demonstration of disrespect for the teacher and the class. We did not see Lynn at work. Perhaps she excelled at work and was an entirely different person. Including this in the documentary would have created a much different persona than the one we got to know.

Link
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B04E1D91639F935A35751C0A963948260