I decided to give this film a 6/10. I thought the storyline and narrative were very interesting and the contrasting elements between the fantasy and real world in the film. I am not a huge fan of films which use fantasy elements however the use of CGI and props used within the film (such as the pale man and faun) along with the continuity editing made this film very interesting to follow along. The overall plot and the ending of the film were enjoyable to watch develop throughout the film; however it was kind of an expected ending, but I thought it was good overall.
memorable scene
For me, the most memorable scene was when Mercedes and Ofelia attempted to run away from the mill however, they get caught by Captain Vidal and his men. I liked the tension this whole scene was able to create from when Mercedes wanted to escape without Ofelia but then she takes Ofelia along with her, to when they were walking through the woods and sound effects used but also the pure silence creating almost a jump scare when they turn around and Vidal was stood right behind them.
key characters in the real world
Ofelia – (daughter of Carmen)
Carmen – (heavily pregnant ‘new’ wife of Captain)
Captain Vidal – (Soldier in Franco’s Army)
Mercedes – (housekeeper)
Doctor
Officers and Soldiers in Franco’s Army
Communists/left wing rebels
key characters in the fantasy world
Pan – (a Faun)
Faires (x3)
The Toad under the tree
The Pale Man
The King and Queen of the underworld
micro elements
sound
Sound plays a crucial role when it comes to enhancing the emotions and actions of the characters all throughout the film as well as making the fantasy world atmosphere more prominent in contrast to the real world. The soundtrack composed by Javier Navarrete as well as the reoccurring sound motif of the lullaby we hear first sang by Carmen intricately blends a haunting score with natural sounds to amplify the fantastical elements and the dark, oppressive world of post-Civil War Spain. The sound design uses subtle yet powerful cues such as the eerie rustling of the Faun’s movements as well as the sinister echoing of the Pale Man’s footsteps and noises to convey a sense of suspense and dread. The contrast between the overall silent atmosphere of the fantasy world and the harsh noises of the real-world help with heightening the feeling of tension but also reflecting Ofelia’s journey between innocence and the brutalities of her real environment.
cinematography
The director of the film, Guillermo del Toro, worked along the cinematographer, Guillermo Navarro to create the film’s visual elements which is what the audience is first captivated by when watching the film especially when it comes to firstly setting its ominous tone. The use of contrasting color palettes is one of the most visually striking elements; the muted, earthy tones of the real world, dominated by browns, greys and greens, emphasize the harshness of the atmosphere in Spain post-Civil War. On the other hand, the vibrant, almost dreamlike hues of the fantasy realm, including reds, golds and blues help transport the spectators into a magical, otherworldly space. The use of lighting further enhances the dichotomy, for example, soft and natural lighting gets used in scenes with the labyrinth, evoking a sense of mystery and wonder while harsh, shadowy lighting often gets used in scenes including violence and oppression especially when characters such as Vidal are on the screen. The composition and framing also serve to highlight the isolation of Ofelia, often placing her in the centre of the frame evoking a sense of vulnerability or using tight, close-up shots to capture her emotional state. Del Toro’s use of long takes and fluid camerawork such as haunting tracking shots allow the lines between the real world and the fantasy world to be blurred, creating a realizing experience for the spectator.
mise-en-scene
The mise-en-scene in this film is filled with symbolic details which enhance the film’s themes of innocence, oppression and blurred lines between the labyrinth and the real world. The set design and costumes used play a huge part in the overall ideas and representations of this film. The contrast between the dark, sterile interiors of Vidal’s military camp at the mill characterized by harsh lighting, metal furnishing and rigid structures heavily contrast with the organic environments of the labyrinth. The labyrinth itself, with the overgrown vines and moss-covered stones mixed with the ethereal lighting used when it’s presented cause a striking shift in tone when we see the war-torn and suffocating feeling real world. The costumes also play a significant role. Ofelia’s simple, modest clothing contrast with the authoritarian uniforms worn by the soldiers all around her, showcasing how she is seen as an outcast, specifically Captain Vidal who wears sharply tailored military uniforms all throughout the film symbolizing his authority. The pocket-watch the captain is seen using multiple times clearly plays a significant part in the film by representing Vidal’s obsession with keeping control and authority. Not only this but when we see his room, we can see that it closely depicts the mechanisms on the inside of a clock to further imply his implicature in the events taking place. Other props get used for symbolic purposes such as the dagger which Ofelia uses in the fantasy world is a literal weapon and a symbol of her agency and power. The careful placement of objects such as the fantastical creatures she encounters such as the pale man or the toad under the tree are each designed with intricate details by Guillermo del Toro himself showing their importance and how specifically they get created either by CGI or props used and animatronics.
editing
The editing in this film was crucial in creating the final feel of the film. The conventional style of editing is used throughout the film. However, there are times when several diegetic wipes are utilised or dissolved to or from black/white therefore creating a seamless link between the real and fantasy world. A main example of this is when we see Ofelia laying her head on her mother’s stomach to talk to her brother in the womb and we see the transition from the real world to inside of Carmen’s womb into the fantasy world and with the help of a cricket, we get placed back to the real world where the transition started.
representations (gender)
female
Each female character in this film is represented in a different way. The protagonist Ofelia embodies innocence as she navigated both the reality of her brutal life but also the fairy-tale-like fantasy world which she is also part of. Her mother Carmen represents the hardships and vulnerability of many women who are under patriarchal control but also her dependence of Captain Vidal as she is sick. Meanwhile, Mercedes, the housekeeper, stands as a powerful symbol of resistance. Even though we get introduced to her as a fragile character at first, her character arc over the film develops and we see her resilience and dominance shining through when she defeats the captain but we also see her motherly nature towards Ofelia therefore making her the most interesting character in my opinion.
male
There is an evident binary opposite when it comes the gender representations portrayed by this film due to its overall representation of the males being primarily represented as taking on the traditionalized roles due to the period it’s set in, such as fighting in wars and being soldiers, having a desperate desire of carrying on the family bloodline with male decedent in the family but not paying much attention to their wives but also having controlling tendencies and power over them. The central male character in this film, Captain Vidal, who is obsessed by his father’s military exploits and maintaining control, emphasizes the oppressive masculinity of that era and how many men would be driven by a desire of having power as a way of expressing their masculinity. His evil nature is contrasted by his emotional weakness and not being able to express of control any of his emotions, particularly with his obsession with legacy. However, the film also introduces male characters such as the doctor and the faun who portray themselves as being caring and having more humane tendencies and standards due to their guiding and protective behaviour. The juxtaposition of these characters (the captain’s brutalism and the Faun’s ambiguous role) creates a layered portrayal of male figures within the historical and fantastical landscape of the film.
aesthetics
The director of the film was very clear about the fact that he wanted to create very original characters for this film which have never been seen before therefore giving this film it’s fantasy elements by using both CGI and animatronics. However, there is also clear realistic aspects of the film such as the historical background and accuracy of the real world and also the clear contrast between fantasy and reality through the use of colour pallets and costumes.
historical and social context
This film was set in post-civil war times in the countryside of Spain. Even though the people portraying the liberals did not win the war but the fascists did, the filmmakers decided to switch the roles of the winners to create a happy ending. Del Toro also decided to film in Spain to accurately portray the history of the Civil War and creating a reminiscing atmosphere.
What did you like about the film? I liked that the use of still images instead of live shots made the storyline and key moments stand out I liked the lighting being used and the style of photos all having an eerie feel to themThe storyline kept me engaged the whole time despite there only being images
What didn’t you like? I didn’t enjoy the music because I think it was too loud and distracting from the images instead of enhancing the images At times it was quite boring because some sets of images being presented were very similar The images were kept on the screen for quite a long time which made me lose interest at some points
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I think the use and choice of music used in the futuristic setting fit and enhanced the images nicely therefore dialogue between the characters wasn’t really needed
What ideas won’t you use? Why? I wouldn’t use still images because I think at some points that made the overall film slow and a bit boring and I would maybe have a much upper beat music
Part 2: In-Depth Study – Narrative
Narrative Feature
Example
Own example
Establishing protagonist
Introduced only in narration – first in third person as “a man marked by an image”; then in first person -memory of incident at the airport. We don’t see him until the first experiment is shown. This shows how core the act of remembering is to his identity – indeed we find out very little about him (he remains nameless) apart from his ‘remembering’ (even when he is travelling in time).
Even though the man is the protagonist in the film as it is all about his experiences, the opening shot is of a woman therefore making the audience think about her overall involvement and importance in the film. Having her be the first person we see makes the viewer know she will play a significant role in the story and plot.
Establishing other characters
The Woman is the first person we see (“the only image to survive the war”) – and she is defined only by the fact the narrator remembers her. Feminist critics may comment on the fact she barely seems to exist outside the experiences of the narrator and her growing belief in him.
The group of doctors looking men experimenting on the protagonist were almost always shot from high angels implying their importance within the story. They were also speaking English therefore making it feel like maybe this whole story occurred during WW2 when the germens were in power and notoriously known for doing tests on humans during that time.
Establishing location (time and place)
We are told immediately that the location is Paris. The bombed out wreckage of the city (real WW2 images) don’t immediately establish that this is the future until the narrator mentions radiation. The underground location beneath the Palais de Chaillot is shown by intercut images of broken cherubs and other sculptures.
There is an obvious contrast between the images shown when presenting the past compared to the future therefore making it easy for the audience to follow along and understand what is happening and when. For example, the images showed to represent the past are lit brightly while the ones representing the past are shot with heavy shadows and eerie looking sets correlating to the feelings of the characters and their lives during those times.
Creating Enigmas
The image the narrator obsesses over is the central enigma: who is the man he witnesses dying? How does he die? Who is the woman? The still images and voiceover powerfully evoke the nature of memory.
What other questions are posed throughout the narrative? This makes the reader wonder whether or not we can actually use time in order to stop certain events but also making it confusing whether or not the people in his universe are also phased by his actions.
Narrative binary oppositions
The ‘Living Present’ vs Past/Future. As the film progresses, what constitutes the ‘present’ (for the protagonist) seems to shift from his dystopian subterranean society to the ‘past’ of pre-apocalypse Paris. This is conveyed by the faster rhythm of the montage and the sequence (18:00-18:49) where the images almost become like traditional cinema.
Even though the doctors practicing the experiments on the protagonist are primarily painted as heroes for their efforts to help humanity after the nuclear war, they seem to be against humanity as the film goes on due to their eerie atmosphere but also their whispering implying their secretive nature.
Crisis
Is it the first experiment? The moment the man spots the woman from the airport? Or is it when the future society offers him the chance to escape to the future?
What do you think is the crisis point? How does this affect the rest of the narrative? I think the main crisis was when the doctors practiced their first experiment on the man as that was the reason he could time travel therefore being the reason there was a man to shoot at the end which was the main question the audience would be asking themselves. (who was the man he witnessed dying?)
Resolution
The narrative is closed – but it is also in a loop: the narrator is both the dying man and the child watching the scene. This ‘time paradox’ has inspired films as diverse as The Terminator and Looper (as well as 12 Monkeys which is almost a remake).
What do you think about the end? Is it closed – or endlessly circular? Even though we get the answer for the main question at the beginning of the film (who the man getting shot was) however the ending of the film seems to be circular because we relies he was the man who died but that could have only happened if he saw himself get shot and the woman when he was young.
Part 3: Meaning and Effect
What did you think was the intention of the filmmaker(s)? Intellectual message? Emotional response? Everyone is trapped in their time – they cannot escape it, even through memory. It is also about concept of photography and cinema itself, trying to ‘freeze’ time with images despite time always being in motion.
How was this achieved? The use of photomontage separates each frame of the story into a frozen image – even though these are joined together using traditional narrative film techniques such as voiceover, dissolves, fades and music. As the man begins to ‘live’ more and more in the ‘past’ with his lover, the space between these frames speeds up to resemble ‘motion picture’ speed at one point. The stuffed animals in the museum are also ‘frozen’ in a single moment.
Aesthetic binary oppositions The use of still photo images are combined with traditional narrative cinematic techniques that bring them ‘to life’… until the moment around 18:00 when they flow together.
Effect of these oppositions? Shows the intensity of emotion the narrator feels with his lover: like he is finally ‘living’ in moving time rather than a series of frozen, separated moments.
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme making my characters easy to understand and recognize making the plot of my short film develop quickly showing what is happening is just as effective and telling what is happening
Creating enigmas the audience knows that the woman showed at the very beginning of he film is going to have an important presence and storyline attached to her because she is the first person we see
Narrative structure (non-/linear? Open/ closed ending?) having a non-linear ending can be very confusing for the audience up to the very end when we find out the plot, this can cause people to lose interest in your film before the end therefore before the plot even happens
Striking use of technical features even though the use of still images emphasizes key moments within the film, I will personally not be using them because I think that is rather boring compared to action shot
Warren was born on March 30th, 1937 and his career as an actor and film maker spanned over 6 decades. This led him to winning a lot of significant awards in the film industry such as receiving an Academy Award but being nominated for 14 and 3 Golden Globes awards after being nominated endless times. He was also nominated 4 times for the ‘Best Actor’ award as well as ‘Best Director’ but also for ‘Original Screenplay’ showing his dedication and talent as well as creativity. Beatty mad his acting debut in the American period drama film ‘Splendor in the Grass’ (1961) followed by his infamous role as Clyde in ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ (1967) which made him over 6 million dollars alone though he was fully entitled to 40% of the film’s earnings, he made he generous decision of giving Arthur Penn 10% of that. He has also starred in films such as the American comedy film ‘Shampoo’ (1975) and more recently in the American romantic comedy ‘Rules Don’t Apply’ in 2016. Though Beatty was proven to the public eye to be an amazing film maker and actor, not many believed in him from the beginning therefore having to prove everyone that he was not just an actor being casted for his looks. Warren was described by his team and fellow cast members are incredibly hard working and innovative as well as caring and passionate about his career.
Faye Dunaway
Faye, born on January 14th, 1941, is an American actress who began her career in the early 1960s on Broadway, making her screen debut by starring in the American crime comedy film ‘The Happening’ in 1967 which was a very small role compared to her then 2nd role as the portrayal of Bonnie Parker in ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ the same year. Though she did not have much of a pronounced acting career prior to this famous role, it led her to winning an Academy Award and further on in her career she also won an Oscar. Some of her other well known roles were Evelyn Cross in the thriller ‘Chinatown’ (1974), Serena Joy in the Sci-fi thriller ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (1990) and many others which made her very respected and loved by the public as not only was she classified as a very talented and dedicated actress but she was also described as beautiful, passionate and hard working as well as powerful and strong. Faye influenced many young women to start their own career and empowered and reinforced the importance of female roles and the power women hold in the film industry.
Michael J. Pollard
Michael, born on May 30th 1939, was an American actor who mostly got casted as simplistic but likable supporting characters due mainly to his facial features but also his bubbly and sometimes awkward manner. He is infamously known for playing the role of C.W. Moss in ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ from which he gained significant recognition and nominations for awards such as an ‘Academy Award’, a ‘British Academy Film Award’ and multiple ‘Golden Globe’ awards. Some other films he casted in are the outlaw biker film ‘The Wild Angels’ (1966), the romantic comedy film ‘Roxanne’ (1987), the revisionist Western ‘Dirty Little Billy’ (1972) and many others leading his to acquiring endless role opportunities and respect within the film industry.
Gene Hackman
Eugene was born January 30th, 1930, and he led an acting career spanning over 4 decades leading him to winning awards for numerous roles such as 2 ‘Academy Awards’, 2 ‘British Academy Film Awards’ and even 4 ‘Golden Globe’ awards further supporting his lengthy and well respected and loved career. After casting in films such as the American neo-noir film ‘The Conversation’ (1974), the political action thriller ‘Enemy of the State’ (1998) and most famously the character of Buck Barrow in ‘Bonnie & Clyde’, Hackman decided to retire from acting due to medical necessity though he has stated that he feels like he has accomplished more than enough.
Estelle Parsons
Estelle was born on November 20th, 1927 and after studying law, Parsons began singing before deciding she wants to pursue a career in acting. She first started working for the American morning TV programme ‘Today’ and made her stage debut in 1961. During the 1960s, Estelle established her career on Broadway before she began film acting, and during the 70s she even went on to produce her own Broadway shows as well as well as starring in films such as ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ which led her to winning an ‘Academy Award’ for best supporting actress as well as being nominated for her other work such as her role in the American drama film ‘Rachel, Rachel’ (1968). Estelle became very well known and well loved within the film industry due to her kindness and unmatched talent.
Denver Pyle
Pyle was born on May 11th, 1920 and passed away on Christmas day 1997 after a lengthy and successful acting career as well as being a director. He was well known for a umber of TV roles from the 60s through to the 80s such as his portrayal on Briscoe Darling in a number of episodes from the American sitcom series ‘The Andy Griffith Show’, ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ (1985) and many more while also developing his film acting career. As much as his career was more consistent when it came to TV shows rather than films, he has starred in 14 films including his infamous appearance in ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ as a Sheriff representing the older generation’s harsh feelings towards the younger generation.
Dub Taylor
Taylor was born on February 26, 1907 an he was an American character actor who mostly played in films and on TV, often in Westerns and comedies and he is the father of the famous actor Buck Taylor. He has had a lengthy acting career, playing roles in films and shows such as the American musical tragedy ‘A Star is Born’ (1954), the contemporary Western ‘Junior Bonner’ (1972) and of course playing the role of C.W.’s father in ‘Bonnie & Clyde’.
Gene Wilder
Gene was born on June 11th, 1933 and sadly passed away on August 29th 2016 after an admired career as an actor, comedian, writer and filmmaker. He was mainly known for his comedic roles such as his portrayal of Willy Wonka in ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ (1971) as well as his small but comedic role in ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ which also got some recognition even though it was his first time being casted for a motion picture. He began his career on stage and made his screen debut in an episode of the TV anthology series ‘The Play of the Week’ in 1961.
editing
in full support of ‘The French New Wave’ movement, Arthur Penn did not follow the ‘classic’ opening of a film such as opening with a landscape shot through the use of an extreme long shot or just a long shot to establish where and what is happening, Penn started the film with an extreme close up of Bonnie’s lips followed by the camera panning to her in the mirror, making the viewer know who she is, though it wasn’t the traditional example of an establishing shot, it still served the same purpose but through a different method
however, sometimes the editing in the film does match the traditional way of editing as the editor still wanted the film to make sense and flow but not in the same way ‘Casablanca’ uses editing for storytelling purposes
discontinuity editing became very popular around the release of this film meaning that the spectator is aware of themselves watching a film therefore ruining the credibility of the world of the film or the film itself however it can also support a storyline or plot
mise en scene
location – most of this film was shot on location as supposed to a sound stage of an artificially built set therefore implementing the Texas historical accuracy, Penn decided to shoot the film in Texas as that is where the story is set but also because it is really far away from LA where the all big studios were therefore allowing smaller directors such as actor to have full control, ownership and authenticity over the film
due to Bonnie’s stylistic choices in the film, women started getting influenced by the character when the film came out therefore influencing a whole generation of women to not only try and look like her but to also wear what the want even though men can see it as revealing or inappropriate due to her wearing more 60s inspired clothes even though the film is set in the 30s
aesthetics
the tone of the film changes all throughout the film, for example the spectator could be watching an almost comedic car chase scene or a romantic and heartfelt scene and suddenly the tone changes due to there being a mass amount of violence due to gun shots and people dying
the overall aesthetic of the film is realism due to t=elements such as costumes. location, settings and music making the audience this this film was not only set but also filmed in the 30s
sound
‘Blue Grass’ music is dominant all throughout this film creating a sound motif for scenes such as car chases, this music is played on the banjo and it is up beat and very lively however this stops in serious situations or immediate tone changes
some gunshots in the film had to be enhanced in post production for a bigger impact and effect almost shocking the audience
representations
men
Clyde – he is represented as a confident ‘bad guy’ who is charming and good with his words however, we also get to see the vulnerable side of him when he expresses his feelings about his ability to sexually perform to Bonnie, this shows that men at that time had issues too and were not always in control
Buck – he is represented as money thirsty however also very caring and compassionate towards his wife, always trying to take care of her
C.W. – he is initially represented as a young and naïve character who just follows Bonnie and Clyde around however we then see him take charge when Bonnie and Clyde get seriously injured as he managed the get them cleaned up, fed and hydrated as well as finding them a place to go showing his loyalty and dedication
women
Bonnie – her role breaks away from stereotypical women roles as she is seen as powerful and confident and knowing what she wants and how to get it as we see her taking charge by doing things such as shooting guns and driving the car and overall partaking in all activities the men in the film are seen doing however, at the beginning of the film she was being represented as hopeless and sad and even naïve as she left her whole life and mother behind for a man she had just met
Blanch – she is seen as almost the opposite of Bonnie as she is loud, obnoxious and sometimes seen getting the whole group in trouble, she also gives the impression that she was just dragged into this whole plan by her husband and she has no choice but to follow them around even though she is seen getting money as well therefore benefitting also, she is represented as a compassionate and caring character especially towards her husband
authority figures
the lawman – he represents the older generation and their response and reaction to the younger generation which is seen through the was he is speaking to them and his actions such as spitting in Bonnie’s face
people of colour
though there are a couple people of colour in this film, they don’t play significant roles or have any lines whatsoever, this absence of people of colour represents the state of America during the 1930s, bringing attention to the discrimination and inequity happening
working class Americans
because of what was going on in America at the time this film was set such as the Great Depression, many Americans lost their jobs and were forced into poverty or making a significantly smaller amount of money than they used to especially farmers which is what we see in the film as their farms are being sold and they are represented as resentful and angry towards the government
political and social context
Produced in 1967, the ongoing Vietnam War influenced director Penn’s portrayal of graphic violence. He stated that people needed to view guns as terrifying instruments, and accordingly, violence in the film is often highly graphic and reflective of society at the time – demonstrated in the connection that can be drawn between Clyde’s sudden gunshot to the head and the shocking 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy
the Wall Street Crash also took place, leading to the Great Depression which caused many to lose their jobs and money therefore everyone was looking for a way to make as much as possible, some resulted to crime as an easier option
New Hollywood refers to the shift in the preferences of Americans, this became more prominent at the end of the 1950s and beginning of the 60s when most Americans already owned TVs meaning cinema audiences significantly decreased and so did the youth’s interest in what the film studios were making at the time.
Easy Rider (1969), directed by Dennis Hopper, starring Peter Fonda & Dennis Hopper
The Godfather (1972), directed by Francis Ford Copolla, starring Marlon Brando
Bonnie & Clyde (1967), directed by Arthur Penn, starring Warren Beatty & Faye Dunaway
What events were taking place in America around the period identified as the New Hollywood era of cinema?
The ‘New Hollywood’ era spanned between 1960 and 1980, not only did technology advance by a lot during this period (the invention of TVs became more and more popular) but America also:
witnessed 3 assassinations of public figures within the span of 5 years, John F. Kennedy (1963), Malcom X (1965) and Martin Luther King (1968)
the ‘Civil Rights’ movement was put into place (1954-1968), this aimed for legalised racial segregation, discrimination and hate crimes towards black people to be stopped
from 1959 through to 1973, American soldiers were being sent to help out in the Vietnam war but Americans did not agree with this happening as they wanted to decrease the spreading of communism for soviet powers
Richard Nixon (president at the time) was involved in a huge scandal called the ‘Watergate’ and as he was being found guilty, he was the one and only president so far who has had to
the influence of ‘French New Wave’
What is meant by the cinematic term ‘French New Wave’?
This term refers to what is considered the most influential era of film making where French films became more and more popular in America as this movement’s impact is still seen in various films today, spanning from the late 50s through to the late 60s. Young film makers wanted to rebel against the Old Hollywood style which was seen as out dated and the younger generation were rejecting the traditional plots and techniques. ‘French New Wave’ films would typically feature elements such as the use of natural lighting, realistic looking and simplistic sets due to the low budgets some films had because of the money crisis after WW2, improvisation from actors and some starring in films were not even actors. Taking a break from traditional filmmaking also became more popular as well as experimenting, leading directors to get inspired by each other’s techniques.
What specific stylistic and structural elements are present in ‘French New Wave’ Films?
location shooting
handheld camerawork (documentary aesthetic)
deemphasised plot
improvised dialogue
direct sound
using the lighting available on location when not filmed in a studio setting
the use of jump cuts over focusing on the continuity (condensing time, creating montages, snappier and more abrupt looking)
democratisation of cinema as anyone could pick up a camera and make their own films
voice-overs
breaking the forth wall
rapid and sudden mood changes
Which directors and films from the ‘French New Wave’ influenced Arthur Penn as he was making ‘Bonnie & Clyde’?
Arthur was not heavily influenced by the films ‘Jules at Jim’ (1962) and ‘Shoot The Pianist’ (1960) but also by other film directors such as Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut who helped and supported Penn in the making of ‘Bonnie and Clyde’. Robert Benton and David Newman who were ‘French New Wave’ fanatics themselves approached Arthur regarding directing the film themselves but Penn turned down their offer.
Bonnie & Clyde scenes which enhance the ‘French New Wave’ style:
deemphasized plot
This film is immensely iconic and well-known due to its abrupt ending. After following the love arc between Bonnie and Clyde, they both just die at the end. This was very sudden and unexpected because it is presumed that most viewers expected and wanted a typical happy ending for them however the ending of this film exceeded everyone’s expectations which is a very common ‘French New Wave’ feature as it moves away from the classical Hollywood style.
location shooting
Due to the lower budges of film makers during this period especially ones who were just starting out, it was very difficult to build or even rent out a whole sound stage and set therefore film makers resulted to filming on location. This wasn’t only much cheaper and accessible but it also conveyed a sense of realism and made them become more believable.
hand held camera work
Film makers started moving away from using camera stands or dollies especially because they were harder to to move around or even get a hold of in the first place if the budget of the film was not particularly high. They started filming while holding the camera as it was much easier to follow the actors moving around in some specific scenes but it also gave the viewer the illusion that they were somewhat actually in the film themselves as it mad everything seem more life-like and natural.
New Hollywood film style
How did New Hollywood directors such as Arthur Penn approach film narratives?
Penn was directly influenced by the French New Wave movement and other directors practicing this style of film such as Truffaut who helped perfect the style Bonnie & Clyde is filmed in. This film did not have a lot of focus on one specific plot but rather focused of the character arcs and having multiple subplots with a de-emphasized plot at the end which significantly derived from the Classical Hollywood style many were used to.
What is discontinuity editing?
Discontinuity editing refers to an editing technique which became more and more popular due to the French New Wave. This is when the flow of the editing didn’t follow a specific pattern which necessarily made sense therefore ruining the continuous flow of the film, this gave films a more modern and retro style and it’s aim was to bring the viewer’s attention to specific sots and scenes.
Why is this time in film production sometimes referred to as “The Rise of Auteurs” in Hollywood?
Many famous film makers across the world started their career during this time as the Hollywood Studio System had its infamous collapse which meant that there was now more space and a bigger audience for smaller film companies and directors. Due this, new film makers such as Penn for example had the freedom of creating whatever style and genre of film they wanted which is what many others did therefore, creating their own recognisable style and being referred to as Auteurs which basically means that they are like the authors of the film.
What is the lasting impact of the New Hollywood style on modern films?
Due to the New Hollywood movement, film makes introduced more graphic content and much more sensitive topics within their films such as sexuality and racism as well as conveying their own styles which had a massive impact on the overall look of films today, this includes editing the colouring of films to be brighter colours and give a sense of realism and enthusiasm.
I decided to give this film an 8/10 because I really enjoyed the storyline, plot and love arc between Bonnie and Clyde as their relationship was emotional from when they met to when they died. Not only this but the rest of the characters were unique and entertaining but also humorous at times. The overall acting of the characters was powerful and raw, though the film was really violent at times making it a bit harder to watch. I also enjoyed the fact that the film was shot in colour rather than black and white as it personally made it more enjoyable and entertaining to watch.
memorable scene
In my opinion, the most memorable scene was the field scene with Bonnie & Clyde after Bonnie tries running away. Not only does this scene have beautiful cinematography and colouring making it pretty to look at but the acting from both actors was emotional and powerful especially as this is the first scene where we are fully exposed to Clyde’s true feelings towards Bonnie making it even more memorable.
‘Casablanca’ is a romantic tragedy which over time got the title of “one of the greatest love stories ever made”. The film is set in 1942 and follows the story of the main character Richard (Rick) and Ilsa who is the love interest. I have decided to give this film a rating of 7/10 due to the fact that I enjoyed the storyline and plot of the movie as well as the romance. This is because of the ‘invisible editing’ and clear storytelling through the shot sequences and amazing acting but I also enjoyed the humour throughout the film. However, I would have probably enjoyed it more if it was filmed in colour instead of black and white.
memorable scene
In my opinion, the most memorable scene was when Rick and Ilsa see each other for the first time again at Rick’s after Ilsa left him in Paris. This is because I feel like it was a very powerful and emotional scene and though this film is shot in black and white, the scene is lit very well compared to the rest of the film being very dark and shadowy. The performance from both protagonists was also great and not too over the top in this scene which just amplified the experience of watching it.
key actors
Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey Bogart was a famous American actor who is now known as a cultural icon from the golden age of Hollywood. He was born on the 25th of December 1899 and passed away on the 14th of January 1957. Bogart began acting in Broadway shows, debuting in ‘The Dancing Town’ (1927), he often appeared in roles portraying gangsters which made him recognisable as “tough without a gun” referring to him mostly playing the roles of “bad guys”. He also made a protagonist appearance in ‘The Petrified Forest’ in 1936 as well as being praised for his role in the gangster drama‘Dead End’ in 1937 and many more before landing his most famous role as Rick in ‘Casablanca’ (1942) which even led him to win an Oscar for his performance. Bogart was not originally meant to play the role of Rick however the producers of the film fought for him to play this role as they thought he was perfectly made to play Rick. During his acting career of about 30 years, Bogart appeared in more than 75 feature films as he was signed with the Warner Bros. for the majority of his career. Bogart was not always seen as a fit for the role of Rick as he did not usually play romantic characters however, due to his screen presence, charisma and good looks and also Micheal Curtiz’s admiration, he got the role.
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish actress who’s career lasted over five decades, she was well respected and loved in the film industry due to her kindness, talent and as many would say, captivating looks leading her to get the title of one of the most influential screen figures. She was born in Sweden on the 29th of August 1915 and died on her birthday in 1982. Ingrid began her acting career by starring in numerous Swedish and German films before making an appearance in her first English re-make of the film ‘Intermezzo’ which then led her to land the infamous role of Ilsa in ‘Casablanca’ at just 26 years old. During her lengthy career, she went on to win 3 Academy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and many more due to her immensely successful career. The writers of ‘Casablanca’ wanted to cast a young, beautiful and most importantly foreign actress due to them wanting to make the role of Ilsa as realistic and authentic as possible, her accent was considered a huge bonus.
Paul Henreid
Paul Henreid is best remebered for his various roles in films during the 2nd World War such as Karl in the war drama film ‘Night Train to Munich’ (1940), Jerry Durrance in ‘Now, Voyager’ (1942) and infamously his role of Victor Laszlo in ‘Casablanca’. He was born on January 10th, 1908 and passed away on the 29th of March 1992 in a small town in what was known back then as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire where he first started acting. He then went on to be a successful actor, director, writer and producer, also known to have worked alongside the Warner Bros. during the golden era of old Hollywood. In his role as Victor Laszlo in ‘Casablanca’, Paul was praised for his heroic and inspirational image on screen as one of the main protagonists in the film portraying a leader of the resistance fighting against Nazis. He was also perfect for the role due to his professionalism and dedication to all his roles, giving his best performance for the camera.
Claude Rains
After his American film debut as the character Dr. Jack Griffin in the horror film ‘The Invisible Man’ (1933), William Claude Rains went on to have an acting career which spanned for a total of 7 decades. He was born on the 10th of November 1889 and passed away on May 30th, 1967. He was a British American actor who starred in numerous films such as ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ (1938), the iconic horror film ‘The Wolf Man’ (1941), the religious film ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ (1941) and many more including his famous role as Capitan Louis Renault in ‘Casablanca’. Claude signed a long-term contract with Warner Bros. in November of 1935 where he was able to be loaned around to other studios during this time. Rains was a highly versatile actor, capable of playing a wide range of characters due to his ability to portray both charm and cunning, further landing him his role in ‘Casablanca’. Despite of not being the lead role, Claude had a commanding screen presence. His scenes with Bogart were ones of the most memorable and his ability to portray authority with his character as well as being able to deliver humorous lines without them feeling forced.
Conrad Veidt
Veidt who was born on January 22nd 1893 and sadly passed away on April 3rd 1943. He attracted the attention of directors very early into the world of cinema, landing his first major role in the silent German Melodramatic film ‘Different From The Others’ (1919), the silent horror film ‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’ (1920) and also one of his most famous role in the romantic drama ‘The Man Who Laughs’ (1928) before landing his role of the German Major Strasser in ‘Casablanca’. After a widely successful career in German silent films when he became one of the highest paid actors during that time, him and his Jewish wife had to leave Germany in 1933 when the Nazis came to power. The couple settled in England for a few years before moving to America where he was signed with the Warner Bros. Despite his bubbly and kind personality in real life, Conrad was casted to play one of the antagonists in the movie. His role as a corrupt Nazi who wasn’t completely loyal to the Germans was presented as stern and spiteful however played really well.
Sydney Greenstreet
Greenstreet was a British and American actor who was born on the 27th of December 1879 and passed away on January 18th 1954. He is well-known from three of the most famous Warner Bros. films during the 1940s, the American film noir ‘The Maltese Falcon’ (1941), The American war film ‘Passage to Marseille’ (1944) and of course ‘Casablanca’. Though he did not start his acting career until the age of 61, he debuted his stage appearance as a murderer in the 1902 production of Sherlock Holmes. He continued acting in plays then went on to produce some himself which led him to become well known and well respected in the film industry due to his range of skills and talent. In 1949, Greenstreet switched the focus of his career to the radio drama series ‘The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe’ which ended in 1951 as well as his acting career.
Peter Lorre
Peter was a well-known Hungarian and American character actor who was born on June 26th 1904 and died on the 23rd of March 1964. He first started his acting career in Europe then moved to America where he got signed with the Warner Bros. studios in the 1930s. Known for his timidly devious characters, his appearance, and accented voice, he was frequently typecast as a sinister foreigner which was no different from his role of Ugarte in ‘Casablanca’. He has been caricatured throughout his life and his cultural legacy remains in media today. He began his stage career in Vienna, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, before moving to Germany where he worked first on the stage, then in film in Berlin during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Lorre, who was Jewish, left Germany after Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power. Lorre caused an international sensation in the Weimar Republic era film M (1931) where he portrayed a serial killer who preys on little girls. His second English-language film was Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’ (1934), made in the United Kingdom.
S.Z. Sakall
Sakall (1883-1955) was a well known stage and film Hungarian American actor who has appeared in many prominent films such as ‘Casablanca’ in which he played the head waiter in Rick’s bar. He has also appeared in the romantic comedy ‘Christmas is Connecticut’ (1945), in the musical romantic comedy ‘In The Good Old Summertime’ (1949) and the musical ‘Lullaby on Broadway’ (1951). Sakall played numerous roles in the classic style of Hollywood productions hence why becoming a well respected and loved part of the film industry due to his talent, dedication and lengthy career. He also earned a reputation as one of the “stalwart character-acting veterans” of his day, particularly after being given his loyal and significant role in Casablanca.
Madaleine Lebeau
Though Madaleine (1923-2016) did not get casted for one of the main roles in ‘Casablanca’, however she possessed an acting career spanning numerous decades starring in films such as her first one being the melodrama ‘Young Girls In Trouble’ in 1939, the British drama film ‘Cage Of Gold’ (1950) and many more successful and recognisable films from which she gained talent and fame as she was seen as a beautiful and talented actress often compared to Ingrid Bergman despite their completely different levelled roles in ‘Casablanca’.
Dooley Wilson
Arthur “Dooley” Wilson (1886-1953), was an American actor, singer and well known musician who is best known for his character of Sam in ‘Casablanca’. Wilson was a drummer and singer who led his own band through the 1920s, touring mostly nightclubs in London and Paris getting many people’s admiration due to his immense talent. He began acting in the 1930s being casted for supporting roles on Broadway and a series of films such as the American comedy “My Favourite Blonde” (1942), the Western “Passage West” (1951) and many more. Wilson was borrowed by the Warner Bros from Paramount Studios in 1942 when the casting for ‘Casablanca’ began for 7 weeks at $500 a week.
Joy Page
Joy was born on November 9th 1924 and died on April 18th 2008. She was an American actress who is best known as her role of the Bulgarian refugee Annina (she was also sometimes credited as Joanne Page). In 1936, Joy’s mother married Jack L. Warner who was then head of the Warner Bros. Studios however despite this, he did not encourage his stepdaughter’s interest in acting. She was only 17 when she landed her role in ‘Casablanca’ without the help of approval of her stepfather therefore he refused to sign her to a contract and she never appeared in another Warner Bros. film after that. She went on to work for various other studios and even began regularly working for Disney later on in her career.
John Qualen
John (1899-1987) was an American character actor with Norwegian heritage who specialised and was well known for playing Scandinavian roles. He has starred in films such as the American drama “The Grapes Of Wrath” (1940), The American comedy “His Girl Friday” (1940) and of course his role in ‘Casablanca’. Qualen was also a flautist, having begun to play at only 8 years old, he continued studying music and even went on to play for an orchestra further into his career. He has also starred in a lot of films such as the drama “Street Scene” (1931), the American comedy film “Sing And Like It” (1934) and many more before ‘Casablanca’ and though he did not land a very relevant or memorable role, he did get signed with the Warner Bros.
Michael Curtiz(director)
Curtiz (1886-1962) was known as one of the greatest and most respected directors of all time. Producing over 170 films for Warner Bros. alone, he specialised in the film art known as ‘Film ‘Noir’ which is a style of film focusing on the high and low contrast (filmed mostly in black and white), enhancing shadows and creating a mysterious feel for the films. He was very passionate and caring about all his work, making him admirable and highly successful in the film industry.
Hal B.Wallis (producer)
Harold (Hal) B. Wllis
Wallis (1898-1986) was an American film producer who is well known for producing ‘Casablanca’ and many other popular films during the ‘Classic Hollywood’ era such as the American Film Noir “The Maltese Falcon’ (1941), the American melodrama ‘Dark Victory’ (1939) and many more which made his work become recognisable and respected. Hal is also the one who specifically requested Humphrey Bogart for the role of Rick because he thought that he would be the perfect fit for the role.
mise-en-scene
location – as much as ‘Casablanca’ seems like an exotic and tropical place portrayed by the film, it was actually all filmed on a sound stage with an artificial built set within the premises of the Warner Bros. studios in Hollywood, other than the end scene at the airport which was filmed at a local airport in Los Angeles.
interior sets – every single set was built after a lot of research about the actual place Casablanca in order to give a very authentic and realistic feel to the film. As lighting was a huge part of filming ‘Casablanca’ and how the final product would look, every piece of set design was purposeful in order to work with the lighting, creating pretty and visually interesting patterns in the form of shadows on character’s faces or on the walls enhancing the ‘Film Noir’ style of film.
props – props in the film such as the roulette table and cigarettes are very important as all these things get a close-up of them meaning that they hold some sort of symbolism but also to show their importance in a specific scene or throughout the entire film or even just relating to one specific character.
costumes – most characters in the film are meant to be refugees however, regardless of this, everyone in the film was well dressed and everyone followed their own colour scheme. For example Ilsa, her dresses were simplistic but elegant therefore emphasizing her youth and liberty but also her wearing a hat in most scenes also became iconic overtime due to it looking sophisticated and powerful. Another example would have to be Rick’s character who is usually seen in a black or white, well-tailored and expensive looking suits to show his power and authority.
editing
Even though Casablanca is an older film, the editing was seen as impeccable and even to this day, this movie gets a lot of recognition for its “invisible editing” meaning that the cuts throughout the film is done intentionally in order to not be noticed in any way. This is because when watching the film, the audience is meant to be amerced fully into the world of the film. The editing also allows the spectator to find out crucial information about he characters. For example, in the roulette wheel scene when Rick is helping the young man win the game in order to get enough money for him and his wife to get a visa and leave Casablanca, the editing throughout the scene was rapid and the camera did not only focus on the characters talking but it also cuts to symbolic features such as the wheel and the chips and the number 22 also having a significant appearance. This scene conveys suspense and interest but it also shows the spectator that Rick is not as heartless as he gets introduced to us at the beginning enhancing his character development.
sound
Though Casablanca was filmed not long after synchronised sound started appearing in films, the dialogue between the actors can be heard very clearly therefore allowing the spectator to almost feel the character’s emotions through their voice. There was also no Foley sound meaning everything we heard was organic and came only from filming other than the synchronised music in some scenes though in a lot of them we had the character Sam playing the piano live while filming.
As well as other old songs played in the film, the song ‘As Time Goes By’ written by Herman Hupfeld but composed by Max Steiner is an iconic slow romantic jazz song which becomes the sound motif of Casablanca. Funnily enough, Steiner did not like this song to begin with and it was also written for a different film entirely however due to some inconveniences with the actress Ingrid Bergmen on set, they were not able to change it therefore, Steiner composed the instrumental part of the song in different ways and almost in different genres in order to give of a different feeling every time we hear throughout the film. Sometimes it would appear euphoric and magical to emphasize the love between Ilsa and Rick however in other scenes it would sound dark and almost ominous to represent fear or danger.
aesthetics
themes and issues
Isolationism relates to the policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries. At the beginning of the film, Rick was seen as a isolationist as he was seen as just a bar owner who did not care much about much more than making money off of the refugees who would end up in Casablanca and were waiting for a way out. Most Americans were strongly opposed to the idea of declaring war on the Axis powers in order to help the Allies. Much like Rick in Casablanca, he did not want to get involved at all with anyone else and he did not want to be found being on one side or the other. However, a few years into the war, America gets involved in the war even though there was a chance where they would lose. Similarly, Rick decides to get involved with helping out Ilsa and Victor by getting them the documents needed as well as sacrificing his own good reputation by shooting a German general in order to get Ilsa on a plane, further showing his undying love for her and emphasizing his loyalty.
filmstyle
Casablanca is most famously known for being in the Film Noir style. This style focuses on the contrast between dark and lit up areas on the screes, this is also known as chiaroscuro. Film Noir directors also love creating pretty patterns and designs on the characters in frame or the environment around them by using blinds or props which captivate the light and therefore the eye of the spectator by using shadow play.
representations
women
In this film, women are portrayed through a complex lens which navigates themes of loyalty, sacrifice and the limitations placed upon them by both personal and societal expectations. the central female character Ilsa Lund (‘femme fatal’) embodies the conflict between personal desires and the harships which the war was bringing to women’s lives such as having to run from place to place for a man. Her relationship with Rick serves a symbol of emotional and moral ambiguity; as she’s positioned as the object of Rick’s affection, her choices are dictated by the war and her marriage with Victor is being overseen by her sacrifices to stay with him before and after he went to a concentration camp showing how women would have done anything for their husbands at that time regardless of their health or financial stability. Ilsa’s character, though often depicted as emotionally torn, is often seen as a woman who is capable of making difficult decisions for the greater good, reflecting a sense of agency within a difficult context. Yet, the film’s treatment of women also underscores their secondary role in a male-dominated narrative as all women seen in the film are always surrounded by men or with a male partner.
men
the representation of men is intricately woven into the fabric of wartime heroism, moral dilemmas and personal sacrifice with the male characters embodying symbolisms such as Rick’s character arc where he shifts from being an isolationist to a patriot. Though Rick is portrayed as the stereotypical reluctant hero who has a ‘hard exterior’ due to the fact that he is emotionally closed off due to past heartbreak. Similarly to this, Victor is also presented as patriotic hero who highlights the hardships men had to go through during wartime showing his masculinity and undying commitment towards a greater cause. Though most male characters throughout the film seem to have a stereotypical ‘macho’ look and feel to them due to them dressing smartly and elegantly showing their respect and status, characters like Rick also show their personal and emotional side showcasing the fact that they are just humans after all.
authority figures
Authority figures in this film are depicted through a nuanced lens which often blends corruption, self-interest, and duty, reflecting the moral ambiguity of wartime politics. Capitan Renault, the Vichy France police officer further embodies this representation as he is also under the control of the Germans showing that he is morally disadvantaged. Even though Renault is made out to be one of the bad guys the same as all other authority figures, spectators do start feeling somewhat sympathetic towards them as they are under the control of a greater power which they cannot go against therefore making the viewer sympathise with them.
people of colour
Though Sam is the only person of colour we get introduced to in the film, he has a very positive representation created among his character as Rick’s old friend, companion and even employee, Sam is seen as an innocent and smiley character who has the hearts of many especially with his performance in the film. During this time racism was definitely still a sensitive topic of discussion but definitely not unheard of therefore it may have been a little surprising having only 1 black person in this movie with no connotations or connections to racism whatsoever.
Americans
Americans are presented as being somewhat above the foreigners in the film as they are not necessarily stuck in Casablanca as some of them already have an American passport and Visa. The main example of this is Rick and his embodiment of the Americans in WW2, his transformation throughout the film, from an isolationist to a patriot was the main representative of America and their morals during the WW. The film showcases Americans as having the power to influence certain events but also as reluctant participants in global struggles, stuck between personal pleasures and their call of duty.
Europeans
Europeans are represented as being both victims and collaborators with the Nazi’s ruling, often representing a range of moral complexities and survival instincts in the case of wartime oppression. Though Ilsa’s character embodies an European woman who has been forced to move from country to country along with her husband Victor who is depicted as a hero as he was part of the resistance, they are represented as positive European characters. This however contrasts characters such as Major Strasser who even though he is European, he is correlated with the Nazi as he was one of the German officers who was taking over France therefore creating two opposite representations of the Europeans in the film.
political and social context
World War 2 started in 1939 and ended in 1945. There were two main groups fighting against each other to acquire land during the war, these were: Allies – Great Britain, Russia (USSR), USA and Axis – Germany, Italy, Japan
During the war, France was on the Allies’ side fighting against the Axis however very early in the war, France got defeated and they surrendered. However, there were French soldiers and generals (Allies) which wanted to keep fighting against the Germans, these were known as the 3 French.
Free France – Vichy France was the central and southern part of France where “unoccupied” France was still controlled by the German government. Casablanca is also in Morocco which was also a part of French territory at the time therefore, Vichy France controlled Morocco.
America was an isolationist country at the beginning of WW2 however, after the attack at Pearl Harbour a couple years after the war starter, America officially declared their inclusion in the war.
Operation Torch (November 8th 1942) – Torch was a compromise operation that met the British objective of securing victory in North Africa while allowing American armed forces the opportunity to begin their fight against Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy on a limited scale, arrival of the Allies.
world premier of Casablanca – It had its world premiere on November 26, 1942, in New York City and was released nationally in the United States on January 23, 1943. The film was a solid, if unspectacular, success in its initial run.
Casablanca Conference (January 14, 1943 – January 24, 1943) – the finalization of Allied strategic plans against the Axis powers in 1943, and the promulgation of the policy of “unconditional surrender.” (President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the French generals Charles de Gaulle and Henri Giraud, and the CCS.Joseph Stalin, the Soviet premier).
“It captured the zeitgeist” – the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time. “the story captured the zeitgeist of the late 1960s”.
newsaboutthewar – In the cinemas they used to have short clips of what was then considered as the news where Americans would sit and watch what was happening in the world before watching the main film as well as listening to the radio and reading newspapers.
In ‘This is England’, the youth is represented in different ways. The main character Shaun who is a child, is introduced as a lonely child who often seems to get picked on by other people. The ‘Skinheads’ is the gang Shaun makes friends with at the beginning of the film but they also represent the youth in Britan at the time as Woody and his friends ae in their teens or early twenties, implying that they could’ve also gone through similar experiences to Shaun such as getting picked on. This further explains why Woody was very keen to take Shaun under his wing. The main character representation of young people in this film is much nicer and kinder than the school kids we are shown at the beginning picking on Shaun because of his father.
older people
Older people are represented quite negatively throughout most of the film. Prior to the introduction of Combo and Banjo, older people did not make much of an appearance due to the fact that Combo and Banjo were the “first generation” of skinheads therefore they are presented as entitled and powerful although Combo just got out of prison meaning his past activities were rather negative and dangerous. Other older characters we get introduced to are most males such as the ones in the picture above, showing the nationalists wanting Britain to be for the British making them the antagonists in the film due to them taking advantage of the younger generation such as Shaun and modelling their minds to become prejudiced towards anyone not British. Not all older figured are represented this way however. For example Shaun’s mother who is presented as a sweet and caring woman wishing for her child to get treated right even though Shaun is at an age where he might not yet be able to appreciate her efforts fully. After Shaun changes his appearance, she doesn’t seem too be too angry and she even thanks the skinheads for making Shaun feel included and happy, further implying that she has his best interest at heart.
English people
The cast for this movie mostly contains English people therefore they create the main plot of the film based on pride and love for their country. Characters such as Woody and Lol do not seem to be as impacted by their British identity compared to characters such as Combo and Banjo, therefore representing Woody’s group as more comfortable with who they are in society. Combo on the other hand utilises his identity in order to persuade Shaun and the others to join his group by twisting the idea of patriotism and suggesting to people like Milky for example that his British identify is superior to his Jamaican identity. This represents the British people in the film to be patronising and forcing their beliefs and standards onto everyone else.
foreign people (people of colour)
Woody’s group consisted of mostly white people, Milky however was the only person of colour we get introduced to whilst also being part of the group. Not only does this show Woody’s kindness for not segregating Milky and for treating him like anyone else but it also shows that Milky has not done anything wrong and that he is a positively represented character. However with Combo back, the segregation and hatred towards Milky begins and further becomes more obvious with the way Combo almost kills Milky at the end of the film though Milky actually did Combo a favour when he asked him for some weed. Combo also uses Milky as a main topic when trying to break up Woody’s gang in the first place by bringing attention to the fact that no one in the group stood up for him when racist jokes and comments were being made, further supporting Combo’s argument that English people do not stick up for each other anymore. However Combo’s actions quickly get overseen by the way he treats Milky at the end. Besides from Milky who represented black people in ‘This is England’, the shopkeeper represented the Asian community and in my opinion he was a very important character. He is presented as a simple man trying to make a living but is then given trouble by Shaun at the beginning of the film as he was being irritating and at that time it seemed like he was the one in control. Further along in the film, we are presented with the shopkeeper again when Shaun comes in with Combo and his group trying to threaten the shopkeeper for being a different ethnicity to them. His shop gets robbed by them and racist slurs are being thrown at him, showing that now he is not the one in charge anymore but now he is rather helpless.
men
The men in the film make up the majority of the cast, implying that back in the late 90s men were seen a the dominant gender and the ones who are “in charge”. The representations of men in the film vary widely. We firstly get introduced to Shaun who represents the younger group of Englishmen, he idolises first Woody then Combo as they are older and he wants the masculinity they have. Woody is then introduced to us as a caring and outgoing person who wants to tach Shaun how to be confident but in the other hand, we then get introduced to Combo who only seems to project is nationalist ideas onto everyone especially Shaun as he is young and vulnerable. The rest of the male characters present their strength in one way or another however they also express extreme emotions at times, making it hard to see them in a positive light.
women
In ‘This is England’, the female characters aren’t initially presented as very important however they do become more apparent as the film goes on. The main female character Lol (Woody’s girlfriend) is given her own story and character development as she is just seen as one of the other girls in the group however she turns out to be a very caring character. We then find out that she was essentially raped by Combo while she was drunk before he went to prison, showing not only her hatred for him and what he stands for but also her strength and bravery especially when she accepts his request to talk to her alone in his car. Smell is a character who becomes Shaun’s girlfriend and serves no other real purpose in the story as we don’t get to learn much about her or her background. Shaun’s mother is a character who truly shows the contrast between the men and the women in the film. She is caring and supportive even though she was recently widowed and shows her strength by having to look after Shaun by herself which makes the audience respect and like her.
Why did film makers and producers move to Hollywood?
A lot of film makers moved to Hollywood as there was a lot of real estate being sold, perfect for movie sets and studios to be built.
2. Name some of the big stars, directors and pictures from the ‘Silent Era’.
directors: Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980), Michael Curtiz (1886-1962)
stars: Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) John Wayne (1907-1979)
pictures: City Lights (1931), Battleship Potekim (1925)
3. In what ways were the early Hollywood studio system like a factory or production line or even the ‘Premier League’?
In the early 1900s, actors and actresses did not have much liberty at all. This meant that if they got into any trouble or public drama, directors and film producers would often fire them but also make sure that they will not be working in the film industry again meaning that their career was ruined. Actors would often also be sold and signed with different producers all the time depending on what genre and type of films were being created at the time.
4. When was the first “talking picture”?
The first “talking picture” (film where an actor/actress spoke audibly for the audience to hear) was ‘The Jazz Singer’. This film was originally presented as a “talkie” (although it only had limited sound sequences) and it premiered on October 6th 1927.
5. Why did the end of the Silent Era cause problems for some producers working in the film industry?
Some actors or actresses were just not good enough for the job anymore. For example, their voice would not sound good as it would be too high or even too low therefore not matching their face and their acting. In some cases, the actors would not understand the new technology evolving around them such as different cameras or microphones, further causing problems during filming.
6. What was happening in America (and around the world) as this time?
The film movements of ‘Classical Hollywood’ as well as French impressionism, German expressionism as well as the German montage began during this period. America then came to its economic demise as ‘The Great Depression’ hit, leading millions of people to lose their jobs and livelihoods, ultimately leading to them also losing their money due to the economic ‘Wall Street Crash’. This was a major stock market crash in the United States which began in 1929 with a sharp decline in prices on the ‘New York Stock Exchange’.
Censorship
The Hays code is a set of rules and guidelines self-imposed by Hollywood studios. These guidelines regulate the moral content of films produced and filmed from 1934 and 1968. The Hayes code prohibited obscenity, profanity and racial slurs from making any appearances in films. This included strict instructions outlining how certain topics should be shown on screen. This code also restricted homosexuality, criminality, miscegenation and even substance use.
The Hollywood Studio System
What were the big 5 studios and what kind of movies are they each known for?
MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) – this studio was founded in 1924 and it was popular for its over the top musicals with big budgets such as ‘Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
Warner Bros. – this studio got famous in the 1930s due to their films being some of the first ones with synchronised sound, they produced low budget mellow-dramas and they also branded themselves as “the studio of the working class”
Paramount – Paramount Pictures is the last major film studio to still be situated in Hollywood and it was well known for producing mostly European movies such as ‘Morocco’
20th Century Fox – this studio was founded in 1915 and it became famous because of John Ford who was a very well known and loved director for creating dramas such as ‘How green was my valley’
RKO – this studio was home to the very popular Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals, they also produced what is known as “one of the most influential films”, ‘Citizen Kane’
2. Explain what virtual integration and block-booking was.
Virtual integration and block-booking were two strategies used by major film studios to maintain the film industry. Virtual integration refers to how studios would produce, distribute and exhibit films through a combination of ownership and control. This allowed studios to control the production process and have complete creative freedom without needing to rely on external suppliers. Block-booking was a practice where theatres were forced to buy a bundle or a “block” of films from one specific studio instead of being able to select films from different studios. This left theatres with little to no choice as this way, the theatres would also display the films which were less popular or with a smaller budget.
3. Why and when did the original studio system collapse?
The biggest turn of events in the studio system history was when the US government’s Supreme Court ruled in the ‘Paramount Decision’ which forced film studios which also owned theatres to sell them to individually owned theatres and this violated the ‘anti-trust’ laws as they owned and profited from a lot of revenue, denying other people’s success. This court rule weakened studios’ distribution and exhibition control, therefore taking away some of the studio’s power.
4. What was happening in America and around the world at this time?
The ‘Wall Street Crash’ caused what we now know as the ‘Great Depression’ during this time as many lost their jobs and money and savings worth a lifetime.
5. What genres were popular and why did people go to cinemas in this period?
Film genres such as Musicals, Gangster films, Westerns and Romantic comedies were thriving. It was way cheaper and more accessible to go to the cinema during this time compared to going to the theatres for example. Therefore, many wanted to forget about everything going on in their lives and they would go to cinemas as a distraction. The film industry was doing better during this time than any other, producing around 800 films per year compared to today’s rate of 500.
Classical Hollywood style
In Casablanca, it was curtail that editing was seamless as it gave a sense of continuity by having no sharp or noticeable cuts. This was achieved by having the shots arranged in a certain way in order to make the storyline develop for the entertainment of the spectators. Films usually followed the ‘beginning, middle and end’ structure in order to create a strong and interesting narrative. Film makers had the task of creating the entire world of the film, often building sets instead of filming on location however this still gave the illusion that what was happening on screen was actually also happening in real life.
Aesthetic – refers to the overall style and theme of the film including the texture, this refers to the beauty of the film and how aesthetically pleasing it is looks wise
Realism
Verisimilitude – the believability of the world of the film (diegesis), how real it looks compared to the normal world.
Social Realism – films which reflect a range of environments and social issues
Magic Realism – films with a realistic tone containing fantastical events bringing old stories, myths and tales to modern relevance
Hyperreality – films where everything feels overly real, an exaggerated reality to the point where it becomes hard to believe it is real
Visual Style
Iconography – the use of recurring images and symbols in films to convey specific themes or evoke specific emotions and build the film’s narrative
Intertextual Referencing – when a film overlaps with another work of art (another film, work of literature or another art form)
Visual/Sound Motifs – recurring visual or sound element used throughout the film to create meanings and representations
Colour Grading – a way of manipulating and editing raw film to maintain colour tones through the film
Auteur Trademarks – when a film “author” or director who is in full control of the making of the movie utilises the same way of filming including camera shots and angles, themes and lighting throughout most of their work
Tone
Pathos – different objects, subjects or specific elements which convey an emotional appeal, making the audience convey a sense of pity or empathy
Bathos – an anti-climax in a film, when the audience expects something to happen and something usually more underwhelming happen
Suspense – usually in correlation with anxiousness and anticipation, the spectator not knowing when and how it is going to happen
Comedy – a genre of film which mostly focus on humours moments therefore making the audience laugh
Dramatic Irony – the significance of a character’s words or actions is clear to only the spectator but not the character itself
Distancing Effect – usually used in live plays, when the character breaks the “forth wall”, it is used to distance the audience from emotional involvement
Postmodern Humour – another style of comedy including other comedy features such as parodies, irony and including both high and low art styles
impressive vocabulary – “The deliberate and stylised use of this slow-motion reaction shot…”
Diegetic – a way of describing the overall world of the film and everything in it
Cathartic effect – the emotional experience the spectator goes through after watching a film caused by the impact it has left
Reframing – to change the way something is viewed by others
response example:
•Throughout Joker, cinematography is used effectively to create sense of chaos within the film’s diegetic world. This is particularly evident in the scene towards the end of the film where Arthur is shown using a low- angle, close-up looking out of the police car window and reacting with glee at the riots taking place around him. Here, the camera is used to position the spectator as not only connecting with Arthur, but now looking up to him. This suggests to the spectator that the tables have turned and Arthur who was earlier depicted as pathetic and sad, is now depicted as powerful and heroic. This “reframing” of the central character” has a potentially cathartic effect on the spectator who has, up until this point, been encouraged to sympathise with Arthur’s point of view as a victim of circumstance. The deliberate and stylised use of this slow-motion reaction shot, enables the spectator to get a sense of poetic justice being served.
