MULTIMODAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF CINEMATOGRAPHY IN "GREEN BOOK"

This thesis examines the multimodal discourse analysis of the film "Green Book"
to explore how various semiotic resources are employed to convey complex social
messages. The study uses the theories of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and
Multimodal Discourse Analysis (MDA) created by Halliday and Matthiessen
(2014), Kress and Van Leeuwen (2006), and O'Halloran (2011) to look closely at
23 important scenes that take place in a Cadillac and focus on how Dr. Shirley and
Lip's relationship changes over time. The research addresses three central questions:
What messages are conveyed in the "Green Book" movie? How are these meanings
realized in the "Green Book" movie? Why are these meanings realized in their
specific social context? The findings reveal that the film conveys significant
messages about race, identity, and friendship, highlighting the struggles and
resilience of African Americans during the 1960s. These meanings are realized
through the interplay of linguistic and visual elements, with the systemic functional
approach elucidating how dialogue and actions reflect the characters' socio-cultural
dynamics. The confined space of the Cadillac serves as a microcosm for broader
societal issues, emphasizing the characters' personal and cultural conflicts. The
study also shows how the racial segregation and Civil Rights Movement of the
1960s American South, which profoundly influenced the characters' experiences
and interactions, deeply ingrained these meanings. This study is important from a
theoretical point of view because it helps us understand multimodal discourse
analysis in the context of film studies. It does this by providing a solid framework
for looking at how films use semiotic resources to send social messages. Practically,
the findings offer valuable insights for filmmakers, educators, and media analysts,
emphasizing the importance of context and multimodal literacy in interpreting
media. By demonstrating how "Green Book" addresses themes of race, identity, and
friendship, this thesis underscores the power of film as a medium for social
commentary and cultural reflection.