Comparison Between “Citizen X” And “The Silence of the Lambs” Film
Hero can be admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. A hero is selfless, a genuinely good person, and someone who gets the undivided attention of all of us and causes change. Someone willing to risk their own life to save another and make a difference (Hutchings). In both stories there are two figures that are both viewed as heroes but are looked up to differently due to their distinctive qualities.
Clarice Starling marks the beginning of a foster career and also depicts women in the movies especially in the page-turner and crime category. According to the film, women are depicted as weak, and confined to the minor specific roles in the society. It is evident by the fact that most of the victims killed by the serial killers are women (Vronsky). They are portrayed to be so vulnerable and therefore cannot fight for themselves. Starling proofs this wrong by standing out tall to fight this notion. In the film, strength is brought out to be unique because it depends on reality and not through the use of muscles but by use of brain game to detain the combat. Starling is seen to be weak by some but her veracity and empathy makes her the most outstanding agent (Press and Tamar 271). On the other hand Viktor Burakov who is a forensic professional assigned a duty to be an investigator represents men in the movie. According to the films, both Viktor and Starling proof that despite the challenges experienced in their investigation, sanity acts as a driving force making them true heroes in the society.
From the beginning to the end of the film, Starling is seen to undergo oppressions. At first she is not even Demme’s first choice because he wanted Michelle Pfeiffer who was still troubled by the deadly appearance of the material (Vronsky). Also, Viktor is also oppressed by the superiors who create a hard time for him hence deterring him from achieving the goals of his position as an investigator. Both Starling and Viktor are driven by compassion to move the case forward.
Again, both actors are heroes because people look up to their actions. They overcame obstacles to make others survive because of their bravery, which is the main attribute of a hero. For instance, both of them accept the responsibility to follow up on the serial killer’s cases. Additionally, empathy, love, and compassion are also key attributes Viktor and Starling share that leads to heroic behavior (Vronsky). People who come in to help those that are in danger do so because they care for the well-being of others. For instance, Starling risks her life to stop more killings by the serial killer and also comes across the senators’ daughter, Catherine Martin and rescues her and also by the fact that Viktor took this case seriously, it means that he was concerned to the victims (Freeland). Moreover, Viktor and Starling are seen to be aggressive and persistent in their job as detectives to the last day when the mission is accomplished. This is through of the sacrifices they make despite the challenges they undergo. For example, Viktor gets a lot of discouragement from his group committee that demeans his efforts. They believe that they would be responsible for stopping any more serial killings which they finally accomplish (Hutchings).
Clarice is not a cipher for both weakness and total force. This is evident when she enters Lecter’s cage. She feels excited and tough with her strides reflecting confidence and enthusiasm. The fact of the matter is that part of her excitement is nervousness. Because she understands the degree of Lecter’s wickedness. Starling gets captivated and horrified by the situations she is about to get closer with (Vronsky). Later other prisoners’ acts violently to her and when she returns to her car, she tries to maintain her strength. She also shows how much fear she had. Starling is looked down upon to be short and by the fact that she is a lady. This is seen at the elevator where she is in the company of other men in red uniforms (Press and Tamar 270). This is unlike Viktor who is portrayed to be so composed, strong and confident in what he does. Despite the numerous challenges he faces, he emerges to be so strong.
Besides, the society sees both Viktor and Starling to be heroes that save them from trouble. Women and children were the most affected by the killers, but through them, the serial killers were eliminated. They are also strongly admired by society and seen as the hope of solving problems. Heroes play a role in solving society most significant problems. Additionally, they are also seen to deliver justice (Press and Tamar 271). They give the perception that people live in a society that believes that good only happen to good people and bad happen to the evil because of the consequences they have to face after doing the bad. The societies also see these heroes as givers of hope because they prove to people that they can be counted on even at the darkest times.
Comparing today and ancient times, there is a difference in the perspective of the identity of a hero. In the old days, a hero was a mortal being that did extraordinary things and left a lasting memory of the deeds in people. The people who also participated in the unthinkable crimes were heroes. This means that being a hero only meant someone who would open the sense of mind of people to discover that what they thought impossible is possible regardless of it being good or bad (Hutchings). According to the two films, Lecter and Chikatilo are heroes too, regardless of the negative deeds they did. However, today, it is hard to distinguish the knowledge of morality and heroism; the admired and the ones wished to be emulated are the ones referred to as heroes. The heroes help define the scope of our aspirations (Vronsky).
In conclusion, Viktor Burakov and Clarice Starling have proven to be heroes that anyone can wish to emulate in tackling day to day activities for the good of the society. Through them, the qualities of true heroes are portrayed such as bravery as seen by Starling attacking a serial killer, selflessness and persistence as seen in Burakov. Everyone has some aspect in them that improves those around them and society as a whole. Any hero reflects all these aspects that can allow one to see themselves in them and therefore gets inspired to act more like them. Leaders in a position to impact the lives of people in one way or the other are encouraged to be persistent in their duty to ensure the purpose of what they do in the society is achieved.
Works Cited
Freeland, Cynthia. The naked and the undead: Evil and the appeal of horror. Routledge, 2018.
Hutchings, Peter. The horror film. Routledge, 2014.
Press, Andrea, and Tamar Liebes. “Feminism and Hollywood: Why the backlash?.” The Communication Review 19.4 (2016): 267-279.
Vronsky, Peter. The New York Ripper Serial Killer Richard Cottingham. RJ PARKER PUBLISHING, INC., 2018.