Dawn of the Dead 1978 Image Analysis 1

Capitalist ideology can be seen in this shot in the idea that money makes you happy. In the 1970’s, shopping malls began opening up in America and people became more obsessed by money and possessions.  In this scene, Peter and Roger hold up the money that they have stolen from the mall and show the security camera. It is evident in this scene that the director George. A Romero is trying to attack the CDI (Cultural Dominant Ideology), suggesting his disbelief in the capitalist society.

While the group are alone in the shopping mall they appear to have everything that they desire and everything that they think they need. This is seen in the abundance of money that they are able to get hold of. As they hold the money up to the camera they are believing themselves to be better than anyone in the outside world. This suggests that while they are in this ‘haven’ they have forgotten about the people dying in the outside world, therefore they have created a hierarchy, where these consumer needs are making them feel superior. They appear to have forgotten that with everything going on outside things such as money become meaningless, and hold no worth.

In the act of holding the money up to the camera and shaking hands the men (who are of different races) portray the defeat of racism, and create a strong bond between the characters. Being in the mall together, the men illustrate how they are both equal now that it’s them against the zombies.