Entrepreneurialism is an integral motif in “There Will Be Blood,” “The Social Network,” and “Dogtown and Z-Boys,” all of which portray the story of entrepreneurs who come off through different industries and face different challenges. These films show the facets of aspiration, revolution, and the community implications of entrepreneurial ambitions, with characters like Daniel Plainview, Mark Zuckerberg, and the Zephyr skateboard team.
Daniel Plainview, in the movie “There Will Be Blood,” is the character that depicts the prototype of an ambitious and highly determined entrepreneur. He started doing business in the oil industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but he had many issues, including competition, resource scarcity, and moral conflicts (Anderson, 2007). Plainview’s doggedly ruthless drive to achieve wealth gets the better of him, and he ends up abusing landowners, manipulating communities, and breaking personal relationships. His way of growing up and doing business shows the dark side of entrepreneurialism because success comes with the price of moral compromise and isolation from society. The larger population is the backdrop of a society of exploitation and alienation based on the principles of self-interest and greed, where community and moral obligations are of no concern. The ruthless greed of Daniel Plainview shows the drive for personal advancement and power that was characteristic of the time and was influenced by a Darwinian philosophy of the survival of the fittest. The film narrates a scenario in which characters’ ethical capabilities are forsaken for their gains, representing the overall subject of capitalism and the American Dream.
Similarly, the movie “The Social Network” casts Mark Zuckerberg as the prodigious creator of the social network site Facebook. In this film, Zuckerberg portrays a genius with social issues who simultaneously aspires to recognition and achievement (Fincher, 2010). While overly ambitious and constantly competing with like-minded individuals in Silicon Valley, Zuckerberg goes through various legal matters, betrayals and moral dilemmas, including private property and public integrity. Brilliantly not mentioned, Zuckerberg’s character shows that it is hard to balance progress and moral behaviour in the era of digital technologies. Modernity is the image of the technology’s fast track to history and the digital age. The social fabric of Facebook as a social platform, which is a by-product of the entrepreneurial characteristics of Mark Zuckerberg, is driven by the societal imperatives of digital connectivity and self-expression. Nevertheless, the film offers a deeper glimpse into the other side of social media, whereby privacy invasion, social detachment, and the economic commodification of private intimacy take centre stage.
On the other hand, “Dogtown and Z-Boys” brings gentle entrepreneurialism into the picture during the 1970s skateboarding culture in California. Stacey Peralta, Tony Alva and Jay Adams mimic a youth rebellion and innovation while introducing new moves and styles into skateboarding. The Z-Boys’ entrepreneurial drive is marked by innovation, camaraderie, and a DIY spirit as they disregard traditional conventions and define their sport’s cutting-edge standards (Peralta, 2001). On the other hand, commercialization, exploitation, and artistic integrity controversy are the parties involved in the success.
Through the three movies, entrepreneurs simultaneously go through different challenges and problems, growing their characters and bringing out their determination. These difficulties are represented by rivalry, treason, ethical problems and tensions between ambitions and socially accepted norms. The way these issues are resolved also varies with context and the characters are as well.
By the end of the movie “There Will Be Blood,” Daniel Plainview’s conclusion has a high price when he throws away his humanity and morals to acquire money and power. Ultimately, this disaster warns of the perils of unrestricted greed and moral turpitude. The wider community is portrayed with the emblem of exploitation and alienation, in which individualism and greed are the main driving forces. In contrast, the balanced community and moral obligations are sacrificed. The society is represented as a source of motivation and manipulation of the Zephyr skateboard team. Z-Boys, in turn, form their business endeavours against the backdrop of the cultural and economic setting of 1970s California, where skateboarding became an alternative lifestyle. This movie shows the struggle of artistic originality versus commercialization, which brings to sight changes in society and acceptance of the mainstream lifestyle for youth.
In “The Social Network”, Mark’s case is both about personal progress and material gain but not without a price. Even though he faces legal and personal difficulties, zeal and ingenuity eventually lead him to the point of becoming one of the wealthiest and most influential people over time. Besides this, the film presents questions on the ethical and social issues surrounding Facebook’s growth, information challenges, and social polarization.
In Dogtown and Z-Boys, a more complex resolution is given, which shows that entrepreneurship in sub-cultures and creative communities is not only a success formula but also very difficult. However, though the Z Boys dominate the commercial arena and receive cultural acknowledgement, the path to success is filled with the contradiction between originality and commercialization. The broader society is viewed as both a source of inspiration and utilizing them as sole motifs, with the boys of Z juggling the industries of fame, commodification, and artistic integrity.
In conclusion, the films depict the entrepreneurial spirit in a unique way that brings out individual as well as social effects. By showing characters like Daniel Plainview, Mark Zuckerberg, and the Z-Boys on screen, these movies investigate the intricacies associated with glory, novelty, and the moral and ethical complications of the desire for success. While each movie addresses a specific story and host of challenges, they all put to light the age-old dilemma of whether to choose personal achievements or societal values when carrying out business operations.
References
Anderson, P. T. (Director). (2007). There Will Be Blood. There Will Be Bloodhttps://ww1.streamm4u.ws/search/there-will-be-blood.
Fincher, D. (Director). (2010).The Social Network. https://ww1.streamm4u.ws/movies/the-social-network-2010.t6bc.html.
Peralta, S. (Director). (2001). Dogtown and Z-Boys.
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