Alice in Wonderland: Historical & Socio-cultural Context

II. Historical and Institutional Factors-

1. What are the institutional factors that may be important?
1. as a production of a specific producer (i.e. Walt Disney), institution (Disney Studios), specific economic factors (Studio Film), or a political background? distributed by Walt Disney Studios, an animation studio. Sony Pictures

Imageworks designed the visual effects for the film in order to create the envisioned environment of Underland/Wonderland. Producer Zanuck thought 3D cameras would be too expensive and because of the economic conditions of 2010, they had to shoot in 2D and then convert the film into 3D.
Works Cited: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_%282010_film%29

2. What is the film’s historical significance?
1. as a document of its time?
The film is set in The Victorian Era (1837 - 1901, in Alice's real world. This time period is a time of social and political movements and many scientific advancements occurred as well. The strictures and laws of 19th century society in England was extremely strict, which explains why Alice's society expects so much of her as a young woman. This era is the precursor to the modern era. Alice's growth as a female who finds inner strength depicts modern women of the present day who have already stepped out of society's restricting boundaries.
Works Cited: http://www.victoriaspast.com/FrontPorch/victorianera.htm

2. as a part of history of film?
This film relates to every movie whose main character faces social issues that either hinders them or helps them. This conflict is often portrayed in different ways in many films throughout the ages.
Works Cited: my memory/ film experience

III. Socio-cultural context

1. What is the film’s socio-cultural context?
1. as a work from a specific country?
This film was made in the United States.

2. As a work from a specific culture? 3. As a work representing a specific part of its society?
This film is influenced by British culture. Women were expected to fulfill traditional gender roles and to respect their husbands. Society during the Victorian Era followed a strict code of conduct. The elite was in control over society and set many restrictions to ensure that their values would be respected. Such values and customs makes Alice feel like an outsider in her society because she views the world differently than her family and friends. She acts timid and obedient in the beginning, but in the resolution she breaks out of her shell and refuses to follow the social norms: arranged marriage at a young age.
Works Cited: http://www.fashion-era.com/victorians.htm

4. As a work made for a specific audience?
This work is made especially for young adults, who are questioning their self-identity. This film definitely reaches out to females, showing them their inner strength that resides inside of them, which in turn, encourages them to understand their role in society.
5. As a work made for a specific reason?
Alice in Wonderland was made because director Tim Burton did not enjoy the Alice in Wonderland novels because "it was always a girl wandering around from one crazy character to another, and I never really felt any real emotional connection". Because of this, he wanted to create a remake of the story, where Alice is 13 years older and returning to Wonderland, so she calls it. Burton: "the goal is to try to make it an engaging movie where you get some of the psychology and kind of bring a freshness but also keep the classic nature of Alice."
Works Cited: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_(2010_film)#External_links