7.5/10 – I really enjoyed this film and how it portrayed the time it was set in, especially when hearing about it a lot from my dad. While the themes were heavy and quite nasty at times, it implemented some comedy in nice ways, especially when Shaun was hanging around Woody and his friends. The music was also a highlight for me, because soul, reggae and blues are some of my favourite genres.
The most memorable scene in This Is England for me was when Combo was trying to convince Woody and his friends to ‘join him’ after spewing all of his white supremacist and nationalist ideas to them. This really marks a turning point in the film; Shaun goes from trying to fit in with Woody, to following Combo instead. I think that this scene also shows how children can be really impressionable, because Combo speaks about Shaun’s dad in a really compassionate way.
All aspects of film form including narrative contribute to the representations of cultures and societies (gender, ethnicity and age) including the ideological nature of those representations.
Performance
age
ethnicity
costume
facial expression
body language and gestures
Task 2
Stereotype -a general belief about a certain category or person countertype – goes against a stereotype of certain beliefs example a black president of America rather than a white president of America.
Sarah Connor
Sarah Connor looks stereotypically of an American waitress. In Terminator one and in this scene she is late to her job and she seems careless about it, she is being called from every direction e.g. people missing drinks, somebody putting ice-cream in her uniform dress pocket. However she shows many feminine traits she looks kind and maternal and caring.
In this scene and in the second movies, Sarah Connor is more of a countertype of a stereotypically self in the first movie. Sarah also show more masculine traits as she is holding a gun while is not conventional of a female. She looks like she is the hero and she is trying to protect something. She is wearing a tight shirt and we can see her muscles showing the audience that she is a countertype of a kind, maternal looking waitress self in the first movie.
Representation in Trainspotting
Who is doing the representation ? Danny Boyle – the director
who is being represented ? drug addicts, white ( sort of youngish) men who are Scottish
what social groups are omitted from the representation ? people with money, coloured people, old people, women are underrepresented
what message about particular social groups are being conveyed ? don’t try drugs as they are bad for mental health and physical health
which characters or social groups have power within the representation ? the main character have a main power of how drugs can have a harmful impact and them representing what they can do to you
do the characters adhere to or challenge stereotypes ? they adhere to the stereotype of young people in the backstreet of a city.
are the characters typical of films in that genre ? As the genre is crime/ drama you do suspect that the characters convey characteristics to fit into the genre for example Spud going to jail – crime. However drugs is more countertype of a crime/ drama genre.
what do representations tell audiences about society at the time the film was made and or set ? it shows the audience the time the film was made in and the society that was around and the ideology people have in that time and how films represent them.
how are elements of film form being used to construct the representation ? for example the drug den in the opening scene where they are taking heroin for the first time, the mise en scene of the place creates an ideology and representation of the characters and how they have a living of off drugs, and a unclean and messy lifestyle.
Scottish, young white men being represented in the film as drug addicts who are quite scary, mean and unkind people.
Older people being represented in the film as being kind, fun caring people compared to the younger people in the film. For example Renton’s parents are a loving couple who are deeply concerned for their son and want to make him a better person.
Women are being represented as the girlfriends to the main characters in the film. They are more represented as an object through the men’s eyes
The film was engaging and funny, while still focusing on more heavy topics such as racism and bullying. The film was unique compared to other films I’ve watched. It used scenes of violence and strong language without seeming unnecessary as it fit both the plot and characters well, the film had high verisimilitude at it was quite autobiographic to the directors upbringing so the audience saw a clear and accurate representation of England and young people in 1983 due to the use of real news clippings.
Stand out scene:
The closing scene of the film stands out to me as it shows Shaun throwing his England flag that Combo had given him into the sea, this is significant as it shows Shaun’s exit of his gang and how his beliefs have changed.
I rate This Is England a 7/10. I rated it a 7 as I though the acting from the actors and actresses was very good. I thought the location of the film showed a true and verisimilitude feeling for many of the audience. I though the soundtrack and the music used really enhanced many of the scene as well
For me my favourite scene was when Shaun was trying to fit in with Woody and his gang by getting the correct shoes, haircut and trouser. I really liked it when Woody surprised Shaun by getting him the shirt so Shaun could fit in. This showed that Woody had a fatherly aspect to him and it showed the kindness he had towards Shaun and how he wanted to be there for Shaun in a father way.
In my opinion ‘This is England’ is the best movie that we have watched on our course so far. I loved the setting the movie was based on in the mid 80s. I also liked how the sets where real places each time. Nothing was made or set up for the movie. I liked how accurate it felt as well. I know i was not alive in the 80s. Not even close. Although the movie felt as if the director Shane Meadows was really accurate of how lower class England looked in the 80s.
One of my favourite scenes was near the beginning as Sean was reading a comic and the shop keeper took it off him. I like the way Sean was dealing with it with not a care in the world. Wanting his cola cubes.
Over all this was a great film to watch and I highly recommend it to whoever has not seen it.
When Shaun is at the beach and throws away his England flag. I liked this scene because it was representing Shaun denouncing the hate that he was taught by combo
I did like this film, but I feel like there was something missing, like a bigger climax or more insight in to how racist attitudes affected a wider audience in the north. Meadows also relied too heavily on comedy to carry the plot. Many characters and scenes were not necessary
CRITICAL SCORE: 9/10 My first initial thought of the film was that the story line was interesting and easily captivated me but also how everything was realistic and believable.
Memorable Scene: I think the most memorable scene for me was when Milky and Combo were having a conversation about Milkey’s family and how he’s grown up. The way you can see the happiness on his face (Milkey’s) when he’s talking about them is so believable, it felt as if it was real. However, this scene really shows the psychotic side, the instant change as he says, “you have anything don’t you”, you could hear the jealousy and anger in his voice.
All aspects of film form including narrative contribute to the representations of cultures and societies (gender, ethnicity and age) including the ideological nature of those representations.
Ideology: a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.
Films create meaning and creates response though mise en scene, cinematography, sound, editing and performance.
Performance
Age
Ethicity
Costume
Facial expressions
Body language/ gestures
Stereotype: A widely held, fixed and oversimplifies image of belief of a particular type of person or thing. For example, all black people are criminals.
Countertype: An attempt to create an opposite, or different idea or view compared to their stereotype that is already in place, for example a black or female president instead of a white man.
Sarah Connor Representation
Sarah Connor was a stereotypical American, girl next door waitress at the start of the film (terminator 1). She is presented as weak, frantic and slightly unbothered as she is bad at her waitress job, seen when she spills drinks and gets orders mixed up.
In the follow up movie (Terminator 2) Sarah becomes a countertype and her new character almost juxtaposes her previous role as she is now shown as a fearless heroine, she has gained a lot of strength and confidence and is no longer the innocent waitress viewers have previously seen.
Trainspotting Representation
WHO IS DOING THE REPRESENTATION?
Danny Boyle, the director
WHO IS BEING REPRESENTED ? (Identify specific social groups)
Drug addicts (specifically heroin addicts), Scottish white males, younger generation
WHAT SOCIAL GROUPS ARE OMITTED FROM THE REPRESENTATIONS?
Characters of colour, upper class, non-addicts, diverse women
WHAT MESSAGES ABOUT PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS ARE BEING CONVEYED?
That drug addicts are negative and irresponsible (seen when the baby dies of neglect as everyone was too high). The little amount of women are presented as promiscuous.
WHICH CHARACTERS OR SOCIAL GROUPS HAVE POWER WITHIN THE REPRESENTATIONS?
In the film the male characters predominantly have more control over the female characters as they are only shown in relation to the men. Overall, there is little control between the different generations of the characters as they are rarely shown. However, when Renton overdoses his parents do take control and lock him in his room but this is one of the few signs of control.
DO THE CHARACTERS ADHERE TO OR CHALLENGE STEREOTYPES?
They adhere to stereotypes as the characters all present addiction accurately, as well as the women in the film conforming to the gender stereotypes of the time period.
ARE THE CHARACTERS TYPICAL OF FILMS IN THAT GENRE?
The genre of the film is dark comedy and because of the many young male characters I think they do fit the genre as their humour and stories are quite similar
WHAT DO REPRESENTATIONS TELL AUDIENCES ABOUT SOCIETY AT THE TIME THE FILM WAS MADE AND/OR SET?
That there was a lot of drug use between that stereotype of person when the film was set. For example, many drug addicts such as Renton, his friends and in Scotland.
HOW ARE ELEMENTS OF FILM FORM (MISE EN SCENE/PERFORMANCE/SOUND/EDITING/CINEMATOGRAPHY) BEING USED TO CONTRUCT THE REPRESENTATIONS?
Film form is cleverly used during Renton’s withdrawal from heroin after his overdose. He experiences vivid hallucinations which have been well edited and the matching sound used to put them into Renton’s head as they experience the sights and sounds he does. This creates sympathy for Renton as the use of film form creates a clear representation of heroin withdrawal.
All aspects of film form including narrative contribute to the representations of cultures and societies (gender, ethnicity and age) including the ideological nature of those representation.
Ideology is set ideas
Performance
age
ethnicity
costume
facial expression
body language
Stereotype
Ideas that aren’t progressive and confining certain types of people into set categories based on gender, race, class etc.
Countertype
The idea of braking away from set ideas and breaking harmful stereotypes. Example: a black president of America.
Sarah Conner Representation
Sarah Conner in terminator one is represented as a young ditsy waitress, falling in the the stereotype that all women are girly and aren’t fit to do action and violence. however in the second film she transformed into nan action heroine to be a powerful woman with ability’s and skills to yield weapons and kill bad guys, this countertype wasn’t common for the release date of the film. you can see the difference between the two images and can see the large difference between the character in the two films, number one being her dressed in pink with soft feminine makeup, and number two her holding large weapon in a harsh black tank top showing her new muscular build, with her hair pulled into a messy ponytail with visors on showing her to be ready for action and combat.
Trainspotting representation
1.WHO IS DOING THE REPRESENTATION? (DIRECTOR’S VIEWPOINT)
The director, Danny Boyle is choosing who and what is being represented.
2.WHO IS BEING REPRESENTED ? (Identify specific social groups)
There is representation of poor working class, representation of Scotland in the 1980s, representation of drugs, representation of drug addicts, representation of friendship, representation of sobriety.
3.WHAT SOCIAL GROUPS ARE OMITTED FROM THE REPRESENTATIONS?
There is very little representation of women positively as they are shown in not very positive light, no representation of any different races or different ethnicity’s other than white people, there is no representation of any lgbtq characters.
4.WHAT MESSAGES ABOUT PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS ARE BEING CONVEYED?
It is conveyed that people who live in poverty throw their life’s away for drugs sex and alcohol, it shows that the poor will continue to be poor as they don’t try to achieve goals.
5.WHICH CHARACTERS OR SOCIAL GROUPS HAVE POWER WITHIN THE REPRESENTATIONS?
the characters in authority in this movie are the police, the parents, and the drug house runner. this shows that the only time people are in power are people who have something the characters want *(drugs) or have a higher social ranking.
6.DO THE CHARACTERS ADHERE TO OR CHALLENGE STEREOTYPES?
the characters adhere to stereotypes such as. women are only there for a relationship or sex. that all drug addicts are dirty and grimy. that people with addictions are irresponsible and do nothing but do drugs.
7.ARE THE CHARACTERS TYPICAL OF FILMS IN THAT GENRE?
the characters id say for a “black comedy” all act reasonably to fit the genre, as they still keep the film heavy and emotional yet still having the right comedic timing.
8.WHAT DO REPRESENTATIONS TELL AUDIENCES ABOUT SOCIETY AT THE TIME THE FILM WAS MADE AND/OR SET?
It shows within society that drugs where too normalised and by realising the film they shown people what drugs does to peoples lives.
9.HOW ARE ELEMENTS OF FILM FORM (MISE EN SCENE/PERFORMANCE/SOUND/EDITING/CINEMATOGRAPHY) BEING USED TO CONTRUCT THE REPRESENTATIONS?
The use of mise en scene depicts the reality of low class Scotland in the 1980s by showing their homes and the crack den to be mostly unpleasant. the performance of the actors shows the look and tries to convey the feeling of drugs to the audience. the editing in times shows the hallucinations of the main character, Renton.
