The Selfish Giant 2013- Clio Barnard

 The Selfish Giant 2013- Clio Barnard

Poverty is highlighted in many films and documentaries but many fail to present poverty in the UK. The Selfish Giant showcases poverty in the UK whilst also showing the struggles of poverty through the children's perspective.

The film is based upon Oscar Wildes book The Selfish Giant. Comparing the two stories, Barnards version is more political, show casing a post-industrial landscape where selfishness is an ideology. The title alone can show the depth of Barnards exploration into the effects of poverty on children, specifically their upbringing in these situations.

Set in Bradford, a run down area in the north England, Barnard has scenes in a vast field, with tall power station building. The vastness of the scenes can connote the deepness of the issue of poverty in the UK. Poverty passed down to children is presented within this film and the vastness of the fields can show the depth of the problem and presents the question; Will poverty ever end?

Swifty's death is detrimental to Arbour. The two together almost try to escape from poverty, stepping away from dependency on their parents and trying to make their own living. Swifty is Arbour's escape. Arbour's mourning of Swifty's death is powerful. There is no music, and the scenes are virtually silent. This is effective in portraying Arbour's raw emotions and almost creating a tense atmosphere because, it portrays Arbour's feelings of disbelief. He is shocked to silence. 

Jonah 2013- Kibwe Tavares

 Jonah 2013- Kibwe Tavares

Jonah is based on the bible story Jonah and the whale. This short film highlights self reflection and be careful what you wish for, as does the story.

Being based on a story, Jonah includes lots of fantasies in order to keep a dream like feel to the film. Mbwana is fed up of his village. The village in the film looks beautiful, but poverty stricken. Jonah is successful in highlighting issues behind tourism and questions; Is it the answer to poverty? Tavares uses Mbwana dreams to answer this question and show the effects tourism has on poverty stricken villages.

 

Tavares inspiration came from the book The Old Man and The Sea, we can see this through Mbwana and the jumping fish. Tavares also wanted to include his own experiences in travelling, therefore he based the setting on fishing villages he had visited. The two main characters were based on a group of "beach boys" In Lamu who gave informal tours. We can see these traits in the two main characters as they appear to work for what they can.

The village is not the only way Tavares presents the effects of tourism in poverty stricken countries. The jumping fish can also be a representative of effects. Before tourism the jumping fish looked colourful and healthy. After tourism and being used to rope in tourists the fish is covered in litter. The colour of the fish appears dull. Despite having an obvious way to show the effects, Tavares uses the fish to also highlight these issues 

Snatch 2000- Guy Ritchie

Snatch 2000- Guy Ritchie

Snatch is a crime comedy film. “Stealin’ stones and breakin’ bones”, the tag line, can sum up the film.  It is set in the criminal underworld of London.

The film includes two intertwining plots. The two plots can be clearly understood separately for different reasons. One reason why Guy Ritchie effectively makes a clear separation of the plots is through the characters. One plot involves different foreign people and people of different religion. Examples of this are; American, Russian and Jewish. The different characters in this plot are presented through stereotypes. The Jewish people are wearing typical jewish hats and a portrayed in an almost racist stereotype of greedy for money. Also the events in the film are away from the majority of English people. This shows that they are outsiders of London society.

The other plot involves typical people of a london criminal underworld. The characters are also expressed by stereotypes. The travellers have thick accents and Turkish speaks about them in a way a typical Londoner would speak about them. They also live in caravans and end up moving away from the site to get away from the police.

Guy Ritchie’s first film; lock, stock and two smoking barrels include the same motifs such as friends involved in crime together and the sales of valuable goods. Snatch also has the same visual style as snatch and include similar actors.

Scenes that take place where the boxing and dog fights are darkly lit. The owner, brick top, has violent ways of getting his money and dealing with threats. His appearance is dirty and this can be portrayed in the boxing and dog fighting arena. For example, the walls look dirty and unclean, much like Brick top’s way of dealing with threats. The lighting in the scenes are dark, this can connote the mood of the scene. Turkish and Tommy are tense due to looming issues with Brick Top and the lighting creates that feeling for the audience.

Film Proposal

My Film Proposal

The Angels Share 2012- Ken Loach

The Angels Share is a comedy crime film. The protagonist, Robbie, essentially is inspired to find a way out of his life after nearly facing prison and having a child. He needs to prove himself to his girlfriend's family in order to keep his child and his girlfriend. Upon discovering whiskey, he realises that, that is his way out.

The film is based in Scotland and there are different ways in which this is shown in the film. One main way is through accents. All of the characters have a thick scottish accent showing that the film is based in Scotland and not about someone who has moved down from Scotland. Another way in which we can tell the film is based in Scotland, is the locations that are mentioned. Ken Loach effectively incorporates an obvious way of telling the audience where the film was based and comedy. He does this through Albert’s stupidity. This is effective in avoiding too much concentration on the location of the film to help the audience focus on the comedic side of the film.  

There are a few scenes of violence in the film. During these scenes, Ken Loach focuses on the weapon. One example of this is in the snooker room. Before any fight, the scene has a lot of focus on the snooker balls. This foreshadows what Robbie will use in the fight and similar ways in which he fights. When the men storm in, looking for a fight, the shot is then focused on Robbie picking up a snooker ball and sneaking it into his pocket. He then runs away. Another scene in which something similar happens is when Robbie discovers he is being followed by a gang member. The camera focuses on the knife that the gang member brought and then Robbie proceeds to threaten the other man with. This is effective in connoting the violence of the scene as vicious weapons are used. This in turn shows Robbie’s and the gangs hate towards each other as the weapons are extremely violent and can kill.

Ken Loach uses his films to his to express British socialist realism. This is clear in The Angels Share. The issues that Robbie faces are the norm for many people who can’t afford a stable lifestyle. Robbie struggles to even get an interview for a job because of the scar on his face meaning that people make assumptions about him before even interviewing him. This happens frequently in Britain, not only with scars, but other body disfigurements such as piercings and tattoos. This prevents people from getting a job and earning a living for themselves. This issue can be seen in The Angels share and Loach successfully creates an image of struggle around Robbie because of his appearance, in turn, raising questions for the audience and the society they live in.

Ken Loach studied Law at Oxford University giving him oppurtunities to understand the issues of Britain, why they are happening and how it could be reformed. Ken Loach uses this in his film to effectively highlight issues that are going on in Britain.

My Brother the Devil 2012- Sally El Housaini

My Brother the Devil 2012- Sally El Housaini

Sally El Housaini changed a typical hood drama. Instead of the stereotypical black protagonist, she uses an Egyptian protagonist. This is effective in highlighting the different cultures in British society. The use of an Egyptian protagonist can also link to her previous films. For example, her short film Henna Nights has an Indian protagonist. Housaini uses people of different cultures to highlight diversity.

A large majority of the film includes drugs. The protagonist and his brother both get involved in drug deals. The tension of the drug deals and the issues within the gang are shown by the lighting in the scenes.

  

In the house where the drug deals take place, the curtains are drawn. This in turn creates shady lighting. The lighting helps the audience understand the tension in the scene seen as they are performing drug deals. A lot of the gang members see the drug business as a way out of the estate. They have hope in their business. We cans see that hope form the lighting. The curtains have bright light coming through them, but the light almost seems muted. This can connote the fact that the drug business is not the way out for the gang members.

Housaini presents Aisha as Mo’s escape from the drug gang. She doesn’t like him in the gang and turns down a necklace he brought with the money he made form thee drug deals. In a shot with Aisha, she is playing with a sparkler. It almost looks like she is staring at him, making him feel guilty. The sparkler can represent his glimmer of hope. Mo cares for her and doesn’t want to disappoint him. If he lets her down, the connection that they have will go out, like the sparkler.

Similarly to Fish Tank, this film is effective in highlighting what issues the younger generation have. All characters in both films have to defend for themselves and essentially grow up. Mia and Mo can be seen to have similarities. Both characters have to find their strength in order to escape their isolated lifestyle. They both have an escape. Mo has Aisha and his rapping as his escape and light into the future. Mia builds a relationship with Billy to allow her to escape the estate. They both have the same motive; Escape the estate. This can show that both directors use an estate to show how the characters class and circumstance can hold them back.

Suicide Squad 2016- David Ayer

Suicide squad 2016- David Ayer

The director of Suicide Squad, David Ayer, is known for previously directing other action films such as Fury, End of watch and Sabotage. Suicide squad fits in with the genres of his previous film. The themes of his previous all tye in with the theme of violence. This can link to his past in the navy.

In suicide squad, the military are heavily involved within the film. Ayer’s past in the navy can lead to the military element in the film feeling more authentic as he can make the communication and actions of the military close to the actual techniques used in the US Navy.

The characters, Harley Quinn and The Joker, are both sick and deluded and clearly have serious mental issues. Ayers manages to almost explore mental issues. From causes to symptoms of  mental, Ayers presents mental issues through the performance of Harley Quinn and The Joker. Another factor from the theme of mental issues is abusive relationships. In the flashback when you see Harley Quinn becoming almost obsessed with The Joker. His name “the joker” can be linked to how he plays Harley. He tricks her by seducing her and making her feel special. Ultimately she changes herself for him. They end up in a relationship where she follows him. It can be seen as mental abuse because he is always tricking her and manipulating her. The fact that he can manipulate her regularly and she follows, shows that they both have deeper issues.

Different members of the suicide squad are from different countries. Ayer uses stereotypes of the country to represent this. For example, the character of Katana is from Japan, to represent this, she is skilled in using a katana, a traditional Japanese sword and her face mask has the Japanese flag on it.

Another use of this representation is the character is Captain Boomerang. He is Australian, to represent this, he uses a boomerang and his name has boomerang in it. Ayer uses this to effectively bring different culture into the film and therefore bringing different techniques to eliminate the enemy.

Vladimir Propp and Tzvetan Todorov’s Theories

Vladimir Propp and Tzvetan Todorov’s Theories

Vladimir Propp

Vladimir Propp was a soviet and folklorist in the 1920’s. He analysed a whole series of Russian folk tales and he saw that each of them had the same plot, creating consistent framework. He broke down the folk tales into small units called “narratemes” or “narrative functions”. Each of the narratemes drives the narrative forward, possible taking it in another direction.

He broke them into 31 functions:

1. A member of a family leaves home (the hero is introduced as a unique person within the tribe, whose needs may not be met by remaining)
2. An interdiction (a command NOT to do something e.g.'don't go there', 'go to this place'), is addressed to the hero;
3. The hero ignores the interdiction
4. The villain appears and (either villain tries to find the children/jewels etc; or intended victim encounters the villain);
5. The villain gains information about the victim;
6. The villain attempts to deceive the victim to take possession of victim or victim's belongings (trickery; villain disguised, tries to win confidence of victim);
7. The victim is fooled by the villain, unwittingly helps the enemy;
8. Villain causes harm/injury to family/tribe member (by abduction, theft of magical agent, spoiling crops, plunders in other forms, causes a disappearance, expels someone, casts spell on someone, substitutes child etc, commits murder, imprisons/detains someone, threatens forced marriage, provides nightly torments); Alternatively, a member of family lacks something or desires something (magical potion etc);
9. Misfortune or lack is made known, (hero is dispatched, hears call for help etc/ alternative is that victimised hero is sent away, freed from imprisonment);
10. Seeker agrees to, or decides upon counter-action;
11. Hero leaves home;
12. Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked etc, preparing the way for his/her receiving magical agent or helper (donor);
13. Hero reacts to actions of future donor (withstands/fails the test, frees captive, reconciles disputants, performs service, uses adversary's powers against them);
14. Hero acquires use of a magical agent (it's directly transferred, located, purchased, prepared, spontaneously appears, is eaten/drunk, or offered by other characters);
15. Hero is transferred, delivered or led to whereabouts of an object of the search;
16. Hero and villain join in direct combat;
17. Hero is branded (wounded/marked, receives ring or scarf);
18. Villain is defeated (killed in combat, defeated in contest, killed while asleep, banished);
19. Initial misfortune or lack is resolved (object of search distributed, spell broken, slain person revived, captive freed);
20. Hero returns;
21. Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to kill, eat, undermine the hero);
22. Hero is rescued from pursuit (obstacles delay pursuer, hero hides or is hidden, hero transforms unrecognisably, hero saved from attempt on his/her life);
23. Hero unrecognised, arrives home or in another country;
24. False hero presents unfounded claims;
25. Difficult task proposed to the hero (trial by ordeal, riddles, test of strength/endurance, other tasks);
26. Task is resolved;
27. Hero is recognised (by mark, brand, or thing given to him/her);
28. False hero or villain is exposed;
29. Hero is given a new appearance (is made whole, handsome, new garments etc);
30. Villain is punished;
31. Hero marries and ascends the throne (is rewarded/promoted).

Tzvetan Todorov

Todorov’s theory suggests that all narratives follow a three part structure where they begin with equilibrium, where everything is balanced, progress as something comes along that disrupts the equilibrium and the finally reach a resolution which restores the equilibrium.

Todorov’s steps:

1. Equilibrium (everything is as it should be)
2. Disruption (By an event)
3. Recognition of disruption
4. Attempts to repair disruption
5. Return to equilibrium

Fish Tank 2009- Andrea Arnold

Fish Tank 2009- Andrea Arnold

The genre fish tank falls under is drama. The film includes multiples conflicts for the protagonists Mia therefore it is a drama. Fish tank is also a social realism as it shows the reality of poorer areas in the UK. Throughout the film there is theme of relationships. The theme of relationships is shown both positively and negatively.

For example, Mia and her mother's relationship is extremely broken. They both cannot keep a steady happy relationship as it always ends in arguments. The effects of their relationship effects Mia throughout the film. It makes Mia temperamental and has obviously had a detrimental to different aspects of her life. The negative side of the relationship theme appears to motivate Mia’s passion; Dancing. Despite not having a successful outcome, Mia tries to pursue a career in dancing whilst battling issues.

A way in which the theme of relationships is positive is through her relationship with Billy. It starts off rough when she tries to set his horse free but it soon develops into a good relationship and ultimately becomes her happy escape. We can see in the film that the relationship she has with different characters are broken and have deep issues either from the start or near the end of the film. Her relationship with Billy is different to her relationships that have a negative effect on her life. Billy is her mental escape and ends up being her escape from where she lives and her hard life.

The director creates meaning through the events Mia goes through. None have them have an ultimate end.

In Fish Tank, Arnold depicts her distressed, working class life before film making. The raw reality of the film can be thanks to Arnold's experiences, not just personal. Her latest film American Honey, is inspired by what Arnold saw during her travels to America. She states that America "Is a vast and complicated place with all kinds of contradictions". Her experiences and interpretations of her experiences are portrayed in her films.

John Wick 2014- Chad Stahelski and David Leitch

John wick 2014- Chad Stahelski and David Leitch

John wick is an action-thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch. Whilst not being based on a true story, the two directors based the action scenes on anime and martial art films. The action scenes in the film are fast paced and are strategic. Every person in the fighting scene appears to be experienced fighters, they is also one large group of people fighting against John Wick connoting that this film includes gang violence. John Wick is a renowned assassin, the fact that he can fight against such a group shows the audience how skilled he is and the reason why he is so feared.

Throughout the duration of the film, John Wick, the protagonist, is trying to get revenge. The lighting in the film translates his dark aims. For example, a lot of the scenes take place in the night. The darkness in these multiple scenes helps to compliment the dark journey he goes through to get his journey. The darkness of the scenes can be linked to his mind. He appears to be in a state of blind anger, as if his mind is blank and that he is in a dark place, like the lighting.

During the shoot out in his house, there is rock music playing. The sound is non-diegetic. This is effective because the rock type music ties in with the theme of violence as, stereotypically, rock music is linked with violence. This is effective for the audience as the music adds more excitement to the fight, in turn, this speeds up the pace making it more thrilling for the audience.

During the fight scene in the club, the lighting is dark but there are different coloured lights that are red and blue. The red element to the lighting is effective in representing the blood and violence in the scene. Before there is any violence there is red lighting. This can foreshadow the events to come.

The 7 plots

Plot	Film
Overcoming the monster- A community fallen under a terrible shadow or mysterious evil, ending with liberation	Jurassic Park
Rags to riches- A seemingly meaningless individual dismissed by everyone, steps into limelight and become someone special	My Fair Lady
The quest- Clear goal to get to, featuring initial call to action and companions	Lord Of The Rings
Voyage and return- Sudden movement to another world. The end return to the normal world, with everything the same but changed the protagonist forever	Back to the future
Comedy- Complicated series of interweaving plots ending happily	Four Weddings and a Funeral
Tragedy- Down ending, death of hero throughout series of events that go wrong. Overcoming the monster, from the monster point of view	West Side Story
Rebirth- Physical or spiritual imprisonment, ending in miraculous redemption or rebirth	The Shawshank Redemption

Chappie 2015- Neil Blomkamp

Chappie 2015- Neil Blomkamp

Opening scene

The opening scene consists of different clips that appear to be from news channels on the TV. The first group of clips are interviews. Each person who is being interviewed looks worried and are all talking about crime. From this, we can see that the rest of the film will include crime and violence. This is effective in establishing the theme of violence and crime for the rest of the film. The last person to be interviewed says “I didn’t believe that this would happen in my lifetime”. This can hint that something has revolutionised the situation and that there has been a massive change, this draws in the audience and makes them want to carry on watching to find out has happened.

The next set of shots gives information on the setting of the film and when it was set. There is a clip of a helicopter and a voiceover telling us it is in downtown Johannesburg. We can understand from this, that the film is set either in the present or the near future. 

This is because they have the same technology as we do now, such as helicopters and weapons, but no there is no event similar to this in Johannesburg in the past at this level of severity. Being in downtown Johannesburg adds to the theme of poverty, because it is known for being a poorer area. Also in this scene, there is medium shots of police officers and close up shots of blood and gun shot holes in jackets. This is effective in creating a tense atmosphere because the blood can be an easy way of shocking the audience into realising how serious this issue is in the film.

The opening scene is effective in giving the audience obvious knowledge on the background story of the rest of the film. For example, the president of Johannesburg is announcing the issue of crime and that he is going to end it. 

Clips of the police robots are shown with the president's speech in the background. The police robots are introduced to the audience when they are training. The accuracy and effectiveness shown of the robots, shows the audience that the robots are dangerous. The way that the robots are presented through camera angles makes them appear to be similar to humans, which can also be a hint to the rest of the film. The fact that the police robots have the same camera angles as the human policeman can show the audience that they have been made to replace the police force in Johannesburg.

Throughout the scene, the lighting is consistently dark. This is effective in setting a tense mood for the film. The dark motif through the scene adds more to audiences information on the film as it shows that it was dark times for Johannesburg before the police robots were introduced. Any clips of a graphic nature were the darkest shots as they were the more serious shots and having the addition of dark lighting can make the scene more shocking for the image.