Summary Of The Film 'Cache, The Macguffin'

839 Words4 Pages

Ideology is defined as the ideas reflecting the social needs and ambitions of an individual or group. It is usually affiliated with the political platforms, in film however it is important because it gives access to filmmakers to bestow meaning to objects and ideas, and watch the fable unwind along the way. Ideology has to power to impose itself on the viewing audience allowing it to convey the message. The ideological perspectives and moralities disconnect us from our own idea of self. The ideas being communicated are often at an unconscious level of viewing thus is not knowingly or frequently noticed. Cache, is such a film. It has subtle nuances that make the audience uncomfortable viewing a universe that is similar to our own.
Often films share similar ideologies and characteristics that can place them into a specific genre …show more content…

Each genre is known for having its own distinct common themes, literary devices, and techniques. Michael Haneke uses many techniques to make the spectator feel uneasy and uncomfortable like a good psychological thriller should. He utilizes the concept of “MacGuffin,” pioneered by Alfred Hitchcock later becoming a familiar technique in thrillers. The MacGuffin is the central focus during the first act of the film generating suspense, to later decline in importance and possibly reappear during the climax. In Cache, the MacGuffin is the video tapes being left at the family’s door. As a member of an audience it feels plainly weird when you are left without information, as it is human nature to want to fully understand. The dinner scene also plays on the psychology of the spectator. In the scene the camera does not focus on who is talking at the table, but rather shoots the characters head on, with complete disregard to whom each character talks. Every psychological thriller must engage the audience in such a manner where it leaves ambiguity in the plot or even a plot twist. Cache, as in its entirety is