Article published In: Cognitive Linguistic Studies
Vol. 5:2 (2018) ► pp.376–409
Mental models, (de)compressions, and the actor’s process in body-swap movies
Published online: 14 February 2019
https://doi.org/10.1075/cogls.00026.abd
https://doi.org/10.1075/cogls.00026.abd
Abstract
The body-swap comedy, where someone finds themselves inhabiting an entirely different body, is a well-established Hollywood
tradition. Crucially, American filmmakers have tried every twist and contortion of this genre premise at a point or another over
the past few decades. And yet, other countries, such as Egypt, Japan, and South Africa, seem to have just now put different spins
on the theme. Nevertheless, this genre is under-theorized and under-explored. Drawing on insights from blending theory ( (2002). The way we think: Conceptual Blending and the mind’s hidden complexities. New York: Basic Books.), mental models (Van Dijk, T. (2014). Discourse and knowledge: A sociocognitive approach. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ), and the actor’s process as described by, among others, Stanislavsky ( (1995). Inner impulses and inner action: Creative objectives.” In R. Drain (Ed.), Twentieth century theatre: A sourcebook (pp. 253–257). London: Routledge., (2008). An actor’s work: A student’s diary (Jean Benedetti, transl. & Ed.) London: Routledge. ) and Brecht (Brecht, B. (1964). Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic, ed. and trans. J. Willett, New York: Hill and Wang.,
(1970). Űber Experimentelles Theater. Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp.), this article provides cognitively plausible answers to the perennial
questions: What is so funny in body-swap films? How do spectators make sense of this genre? How do blending processes operate in
body-swap movies? Do spectators “live in the blend?” What patterns of compression or decompression are at work in body-swap
templates? Can humor be a strong determiner of moral-political cognition? And what connections can be drawn between acting and
cognitive neuroscience? A discussion of English and Arabic examples (i) points to some of the cultural concepts involved in
body-swap films, (ii) shows how conceptual blending in humorous films serves to both perpetuate and modify culturally relevant
concepts, and (iii) highlights the necessity to expand the current scope in compression, embodiment and identity research. More
generally, then, this article presents a new cognitive theory of how cinema, television, or theatre communicates meaning. The most
important aim of this study is thus to contribute to the small but growing number of publications that use the cognitive sciences
to inform scholarly and practical explorations in theatre and performance studies, as well as to the study of Arab theatre and
cinema, which are among the most neglected subjects in the field.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Terminology
- 2.1(De)compression
- 2.2Mental models
- 2.3Drama and film connectors: An integrated theory
- 3.Two body-swap films
- 3.1Made in Egypt
- Summary
- Analysis
- Moral cognition
- 3.2
The Hot Chick
- Summary
- Analysis
- Moral cognition
- 3.1Made in Egypt
- 4.Conclusion
- Notes
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