Post modernism is the act after modernism which rejects grand narratives, and suggests that texts are imitated and nothing is original anymore. This has been criticised by many theorists such as Jameson, who disliked post modernism for its lack of originality, he suggested that post modernism was a result of late capitalism.
Whereas Baudrillard was a post-modernist who suggested that we are living within a simulation of the real world, suggesting that it is neither true nor false and that it is simply a “machine set up, to set up and rejuvenate the real world” allowing us to believe what we see. He used the comparison of Disneyworld, which he suggested was a set up apparatus which attempts to bring imagination and fiction to the ‘real world’
Twyker ‘s 1998 cult classic, Run Lola Run has been analysed by many critics for it post-modern elements.
The whole film refers to Baudrillard’s idea of the world being a simulation, where Lola is able to start each run with the phone hitting the receiver, to the end of the first run where the phone and the bag drop at the same time and Lola says “Stop” implying that she has control over the ‘simulation’. It could also be suggested that this is a form of intertextuality, with the fast paced German techno soundtrack and constant action within the film, gives it a sense of being within a video game. This is also reflected through the simulation style of Lola being able to almost reset her life and start over again from a “check point” almost like in most action games. I don’t believe that Lola is travelling back in time as that would be too simple and the events would not change so drastically, however with the use of simulation she would remember events from the past simulations, as well the interlude of flashbacks which show Lola and Manni in bed, this would not happen if she was simply travelling back in time. The use of the butterfly effect allows different things to change, during all the runs, Lola encounters an ambulance, however only in the last run does Lola’s father get in the car with Meiers as he doesn’t crash into Ronnie’s car after Lola runs past him, later when Manni is chasing after the tramp Meiers and Lola’s father crash into Ronnie’s car, left in serious harm and causing him to be in the ambulance which Lola finally, by chance jumps into in the last run, this leaves the audience wondering who is in the ambulance within the first and second run.
The use of pastiche has also been used within the film, as Lola has a very distinct scream which she uses to her advantage throughout the film. This high pitch scream references Gunter Grass’ 1959 The Tin Drum, where the main character Oskar is able to shatter glass with a piercing scream; he uses this scream to control the adult world. Lola also uses the scream to take control and return things to a calm state or receive attention from people.
Run Lola Run is hyper real text as no actual location is given for the setting of the film, but we don’t question it being a real text, this is the audience’s verisimilitude, suggesting the world has been conjured up. The film also has a computer generated feel, especially during the flashbacks, the speed of film is slightly odd as well the black and white image.
Lady Gaga is another representation of post modernism within the media, and is a current trend within pop culture.
Lady Gaga’s video Telephone is one of example of how she is post modern, by creating almost a short film to sell her song, with an extended version of the song just for the video.
The video makes reference to Tarantino’s Thelma and Louise as the duo escape, as well as the reference to Tarantino’s “Pussy Wagon” within Kill Bill and the duo serial killers running from the cops, however this is done in a respectful way and although it is a parodied, this is not done in a humorous way.
The use of consumerism while in the kitchen as Gaga is conjuring up something shows a lot of product placement, however again this is not portrayed to be humorous and avoids parody, this also creates an audience awareness and allows them to relate. It also create a sense of self awareness in the video as the and uses irony to celebrate consumer culture for the aesthetics of the video, this has a sense of self reference. Self reference is also used at the beginning when she is first thrown in the prison, wearing not many clothes, and the guard says to another “I told you she didn’t have a dick” as there were a few rumours within the media about Gaga being transsexual.
Identity plays a big part within the video, as women are portrayed as subjects rather than objects, this is especially reinforced as the prison is an all female prison, promoting feminism. Two females wear odd shoes as they are wearing one foot of each others, this is a representation of a lesbian relationship as they share things. This plays against usual stereotypes and conventions, as well as the scene where we see women weight lifting, this goes against our expectations.
Also the idea of Gaga be bailed out of prison rather than escaping, has a very materialistic view to it, as the desire to become rich and be saved by money. While she is in prison she maintains her glamorous “lifestyle” as such, suggesting that materialism gives women a sense of power and this is associated with her power.
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