The Politics and International Relations of Fantasy Films and Television : To Win or Die

This book uses several fantasy movies or movie series and television series to explain political and international relations (IR) concepts and theories. It begins with an overview of the importance of fantasy in literature, film and television, and its increasing impact on the field of International Relations. It then presents the political, IR, and social issues in each franchise, and in five chapters uses these tales’ key story arcs or plot points to illustrate major political and IR themes. The volume pays particular attention to such fantasy franchises as Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, the Harry Potter films, recent fairytale and children’s stories, and female-led fantasy projects. Contents Abbreviations 1 Fantasy and Politics: Worlds of Possibility Introduction: Off to See the Wizard What Is a Fantasy? Audience and Purposes Constructivism Meets Fantasy Films and Television Feminism in Fantasy Films and Television Film Pedagogy and Fantasy in the Classroom Uses of Film and TV in Politics Plan of the Book References 2 Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, and Men/Women: The Politics and IR of Lord of the Rings An Unexpected Journey: The Hobbit Series Teaches Middle-Earth Politics Constructivism in Middle-Earth Tolkien Creates a Mythology and a World Domestic Politics of Middle-Earth International Relations of Middle-Earth A World at War: Armed Conflict in Middle-Earth Women and Minorities in LOTR Conclusion: The Tolkien Saga in New Hands The Best High Fantasy Movies References 3 Winning or Dying: The Politics and IR of Game of Thrones Introduction: Game of Thrones Becomes a Phenomenon Constructivism and the Iron Throne Game of Thrones Tales in a Nutshell Over the Hills and Far Away: Medieval Fantasies Old and New Playing the Game: Domestic Politics of Westeros Breaking the Wheel: IR of Game of Thrones The Bloody Reality of War: Armed Conflict in Game of Thrones “The Bear and the Maiden Fair”1: Women and Girls in Game of Thrones Conclusion: House of the Dragon Best Movies About the Middle Ages Notes References 4 Magic and Community: The Politics and IR of Harry Potter Introduction: Harry’s Origins on a Train Ride Constructivism at Hogwarts: Theorizing Harry Harry Potter in a Nutshell (All Movie Titles Begin with Harry Potter and...) History as Basis for a Wizarding World Domestic Politics at Hogwarts and in the UK Harry Potter and International Relations Girls’ and Women’s Empowerment and, Gender Issues in Potter Stories Conclusion: Fantastic Beasts Best Movies About Magic References 5 When You Wish Upon a Star: Children’s Fantasies and Politics Fairytales and Children’s Novels: Primal Psychological and Sociopolitical Stories Children’s Stories Meet Constructivism Fairytales and Politics The Courage to Rise Up: Snow White and the Huntsman Hansel and Gretel: Kick-Ass Witch Hunters Jack the Giant Killer: A Hero in Search of a Motive Maleficent: Prejudice, War and Peacemaking Cinderella: The Ultimate Fairytale Girl Gains (Some) Agency Modern Children’s Stories and Politics The NeverEnding Story: “Nothing” Destroys Our Politics Self-Interest, Love and Justice: The Princess Bride The Narnia Stories: Christ and Kingship in a Parallel World Alice Kingsleigh: An Adult in Underland Theocracy and Oppression: The Golden Compass (2007) A Wrinkle in Time: Representation vs. The Triumph of Good Over Evil Environmental Politics in Children’s Stories Girls and Women in Fairytales and Children’s Stories Conclusion: Better Fairytales and Children’s Yarns for the Twenty-First Century? References 6 Where Women Rule: Female Fantasy Television and Movies Introduction: Golden Age for Female-Led Fantasies Heroines Meet Constructivism and Feminism The Heroine’s Journey: Just as Vital as the Hero Buffy, the Genre Slayer: A Girl to Save the World Buffy, the Chosen One Buffy’s Heroine’s Journey Buffy’s Politics Buffy’s Feminism A Warrior Princess Arises: Xena as Aspirational Figure Xena and the Heroine’s Journey Xena’s Politics IR of Xena: Calling for a Woman Warrior The Feminism of Xena and Gabrielle Dystopic and Authoritarian Fantasies Dystopian Heroine Journeys Katniss Everdeen: A Girl Leads a Revolution Katniss’s Politics Katniss’s IR Katniss’s Feminism Tris Prior: A Girl Beyond All Factions Tris’s Politics Tris’s IR Tris’s Feminism Conclusion: Run Hide Fight Great Movies About Powerful Girls and Women References Index This book uses several fantasy movies or movie series and television series to explain political and international relations (IR) concepts and theories. It indicates the importance of fantasy in literature, film and television, and its increasing impact on politics and International Relations. It then presents the political, IR, and social issues in each franchise, and in five chapters uses these tales key story arcs or plot points to illustrate major political and IR themes. The volume pays particular attention to such fantasy franchises as Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, the Harry Potter films, recent fairytale and childrens stories, and female-led fantasy projects. Joel R. Campbell is Associate Professor of political science at Troy University. He teaches in the Masters of Science in International Relations (MSIR) program in Troy's Pacific Region (Japan and Korea)