BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

POPULAR GEOPOLITICS: REFLECTIONS ON CELLULOID AND ITS STRATEGIC OUTREACH

Author: Rubel Molla

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2021v42n4a3

ABSTRACT

Celluloid plays a significant role in framing or constructing a popular understanding of the rapidly changing geopolitical world. As a geopolitical aesthetic, global films set the moral grammar of the geographic representation and construct personal, collective and national identity. This paper argues that popular geopolitics (re)directs a nation’s perception of the changing international relations and pursues national interests by changing popular opinion and bringing justification of actions. In creating this perception, films contextualize national identity, protected characteristics of the changes in global and domestic affairs, superiority complex and hegemonic aspirations of nations. Celluloid creates several strategic outreaches, i.e., promoting national identity, norms and values, connecting people and shaping opinion, justifying actions and initiatives, branding nation, mobilizing migration and economy. Films can be an effective platform for emerging nations in nation branding and shaping global opinion that may increase bargaining power in global negotiations on economic and socio-political affairs.