The Mod Revival: A Documentary Analysis

1. Introduction

In his article "All the Young Dudes: Media, Subculture and Lifestyle” Bill Osgerby focuses on the mod subculture of the 1960s, which was initially created by the working-class youth in London as a reaction to the mainstream, conservative culture of their parents (Osgerby, 1998). The author argues that this subculture has undergone a significant transformation since its inception and has become one of the most popular youth cultures in Britain. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the documentary "The Mod Revival" (1979) in connection with Osgerby’s ideas about the mod subculture and its transformation into a popular culture.

2. Theoretical background

To better understand the ideas expressed by Osgerby in his article, it is necessary to briefly consider the concept of "subculture" and its relation to popular culture. A subculture can be defined as "a group within a larger society that shares values and practices that differ from those of the dominant culture" (Smithers, 2015, p. 1). In other words, a subculture is characterized by its distinctiveness from the mainstream culture and by the shared values and practices that unite its members. Youth subcultures are especially interesting from the sociological point of view because they often challenge the established norms and values of society and represent an alternative way of life (Smithers, 2015).

Popular culture, on the other hand, can be defined as "the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, images, and other phenomena that are within the mainstream of a given culture" (Storey, 2009, p. 9). It should be noted that popular culture is not static but always changing and evolving in response to social, economic, and political changes in society. One of the most important features of popular culture is its mass character: it is available to a wide range of people and mediated through mass media such as television, radio, movies, etc.

It is important to note that subcultures can play an important role in the transformation of popular culture. As Muggleton (2000) argues, subcultures can act as "laboratories" for new ideas and styles that later become part of popular culture. This process can be explained by the fact that subcultures are often marginalized or even demonized by society and therefore have more freedom to experiment with new styles and behaviours. When these styles and behaviours become more mainstreamed or accepted by society, they lose their original subversive character and become part of popular culture.

3. Data and methodology

This paper is based on a qualitative analysis of "The Mod Revival" (1979), a documentary about the mod subculture in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s. The data for this analysis were collected through close viewing of the documentary and through secondary sources such as books and articles about mod subculture. The data were then analysed using thematic analysis in order to identify relevant themes and patterns in connection with Osgerby’s article.

4. Findings

The following themes were identified during the data analysis: (1) the history and origins of the mod subculture; (2) the transformation of the mod subculture into a popular culture; and (3) the reception of the mod subculture by the mainstream media and society. These themes will be discussed in more detail below.

4. 1 The history and origins of the mod subculture

"The Mod Revival" provides a brief overview of the history and origins of the mod subculture. The documentary explains that the mod subculture began in London in the early 1960s as a reaction to the traditional, conservative culture of their parents. The mods were working-class youth who were tired of the boring, conformist lifestyle that was expected of them. They carved out their own identities through their style of dress, music, and behaviour, which was often seen as rebellious or even criminal by the older generation.

4. 2 The transformation of the mod subculture into a popular culture

The documentary also discusses how the mod subculture has undergone a significant transformation since its inception. In the early years, the mods were a marginalized group that was often demonized by society. However, they gradually became more mainstreamed as their style and behaviours became more acceptable to wider society. Themod subculture also became more commercialized as businesses began to cater to the needs of mod consumers. By the late 1970s, the mod subculture had become one of the most popular youth cultures in Britain.

4. 3 The reception of the mod subculture by the mainstream media and society

Finally, "The Mod Revival" discusses how the mod subculture has been received by the mainstream media and society. In general, the documentary argues that while themods have been demonized by some, they have also been romanticized by others. The media has played an important role in shaping public perceptions of the mod subculture. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in mod culture, which has been driven in part by nostalgia for a simpler time.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, this paper has discussed "The Mod Revival" in connection with Osgerby’s article about themod subculture. It has been shown that while themodsubculture has undergone a significant transformation since its inception, it still retains its original rebellious spirit. The documentary provides a fascinating insight into how this marginalized group has managed to carve out its own identity within society.

FAQ

More Related papers

• The role of Goldman Sachs and other financial institutions in the housing industry bubble and subsequent financial crisis
• Healthcare professionals have to balance between providing care to the patients and respecting their religious beliefs.
• The Complex Issue of Gun Violence: Higher Education, Race, and the Debate about Handguns
• Alvar Aalto: Architect and Designer of Scandinavian Modernism
• What Does It Take to Be an Effective Teacher?