Film Analysis 2: Masculinity and meat consumption symbolism

Project Overview: Film Analysis 2

Mandatory Requirement: This assignment requires a heavy, integrated analysis of the attached Barca (2020) reading and the documentary The Game Changers.

Important: Both the Barca text and the film must be cited multiple times throughout the entire essay (Introduction, Body, and Conclusion) using formal APA in-text citations.

Required Materials:

• Attached Reading: Barca, L. (2020). “Stewed in mighty symbolism of wealth, power and masculinity: The legitimation of meat-eating through anti-vegan rhetoric in mainstream US news.” In J. Hannan (Ed.), Meatsplaining: The Animal Agriculture Industry and the Rhetoric of Denial. Sydney University Press. (USE EXTENSIVELY)
• Documentary: The Game Changers (2018)

Technical Specifications

• Word Count: 800 1000 words.
• Format: Word or PDF.
• Layout: Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing.
• Citation Style: APA (In-text citations required for every claim/definition).

Essay Structure & Writing Instructions

1. Introduction (1 Paragraph)

• Introduce the documentary and Lisa Barcas chapter.
• Identify the focus: The symbolic link between masculinity and meat consumption.
• Thesis Statement: End with a clear argument on whether the film challenges traditional gendered meat-eating tropes or simply reinvents them to create a “new” version of masculinity.

2. Body (Multiple Citations Required)

• 2.1 Film Description: Summarize the films central claim. Use specific examples from the documentary (e.g., the elite athletes, the “firefighters” scene) that highlight how it portrays “manhood” or “performance.” (Cite the film here).
• 2.2 Barcas Framework (MANDATORY): Explain Barcas argument regarding how meat consumption is morally legitimized through gendered symbolism. You must define “masculinity,” “symbolism,” and “moral legitimation” as she does. (Cite Barca multiple times in this section).
• 2.3 Critical Analysis: This is the core of the essay. Use Barcas theories to analyze the film. Discuss if the films version of “plant-based masculinity” actually disrupts the “wealth, power, and masculinity” trio Barca describes, or if it just swaps “meat” for “plants” while keeping the same aggressive, performance-based male tropes. (Integrate citations from both sources throughout).

3. Conclusion (1 Paragraph)

• Restate the thesis in a new way.
• Summarize how your analysis shows the films role in the contemporary “legitimation” of diet and gender. (Include final references to the core arguments).

4. References (APA Style)

Include this exact reference list:

• Barca, L. (2020). Stewed in mighty symbolism of wealth, power and masculinity: The legitimation of meat-eating through anti-vegan rhetoric in mainstream US news. In J. Hannan (Ed.), Meatsplaining: The Animal Agriculture Industry and the Rhetoric of Denial (pp. [Insert Page Range]). Sydney University Press.
• Psihoyos, L. (Director). (2018). The Game Changers [Film]. Oceanic Preservation Society.

Final Note to Writer

The “moral legitimacy” aspect is key. Barca argues that meat-eating is protected by these symbols; your job is to prove if the movie is a “game changer” for those symbols or if it is just “re-branding” them. Ensure Barca is cited in at least 3 separate paragraphs.