can a films value be measured by how it positions viewers to feel empathy 4 the characters?

Question

can a films value be measured in its ability to coax viewers to hve empathy,exspecially those who challenge societies dominant ideolgies

and how can this be done what would some examples be?

Answer 1

If you are trying to create a film about a story -for entertainment then 'yes' you should feel for the character.
But if you are creating a film with a meaning -to inform or increase awareness, then if the facts don't create empathy and you need to add dialog and soundtracks and pretty people to create an 'artificial empathy' isn't that effecting the validity of the content? and if so wouldn't that effect the value of the film?

like most things it comes down to case by case deal.

I'm talking off 'true story' or 'based on a true story' films, i hope thats what you ment or else i missed the point. Personally I don't watch these movies as personal agenda's often do cloud the facts, effecting the value to me.

Answer 2

Yes, that would be a good measure of the quality of the story line of a film.