This film aimed to show power and poverty within an urban Paris environment. I enjoyed the open sequence of the Eiffel Tower and other Paris landscapes as I thought it was going to be an introduction to contrast in people that can be seen walking on the streets. Tracking shots were also used frequently in the classroom and house setting - this represented the fact that there would be something significant about the young child. Cinematography-wise, the film deserves mass praise, making use of digetic and non-digetic sound and fading to black between scenes, creating a sense of 'same old, same old' on young Antonie's life.
We can clearly see that Antonie has a poor, lower-class family. This is indicated by there small-spaced house, his constant re-wearing of clothes and scruffy hair and the fact that all income went towards a treat for the family every once in a while. We know that his parents neglect him and cannot stand his actions anymore, to the point where they discuss sending him to an oprhanage. Society also has no care towards him - he walks through the Paris streets in broad daylight, with thousands of people around him,completely un-subtle, and no one bothers to even ask why he is carrying a heavy typewriter.
Unfortunately, there seemed to be a lack of a definite plot to this film and I thought many scenes within the film's 99 minutes appeared to have no sense of direction, making the film seem to last much longer in duration and decreased my enjoyment of it. The cinematography captured the deprived, urban setting very well, and this was shown very well in Antonie's character as well. with parents that didn't mention his own name once when talking about him and concluding that he cannot be dealt with by them. I felt that these needed a plot direction in order to make the film bearable.
Wednesday 29 September 2010
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Catalogue enteries
Item 5: Under My Skin (http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/apr/21/culture.features)
Interview from the guardian newspaper website with Shane Meadows, reflecting on growing in the 1980’s. Very useful as Meadows mentions how much of ‘This Is England’ is based on his own childhood and he describes the formation of the skin-head subculture, why it was targeted by the Nation Front movement and how he created some of his characters to show this.
Item 7: BBC Radio 4 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/backrow/backrow_20020907.shtml)
Audio interview with Shane Meadows Around the release of the film. Useful as Meadows briefly mentions the wide range of people that can be found in the Midlands.
Wednesday 22 September 2010
An analysis of conflict in 'La Haine'
Representation
Diversity is widely explored in the small suburb setting as the film's three central characters all have different backgrounds and ethnic origins. Vinz, who wants to have leading power in the group, is Jewish. Saïd, who is like a little brother who needs to be taken care of, is Arabic. Hubert, a peaceful boxer in control of his emotions, is black. Because of this, a form of a unity is created against the racist and violent police forces - the characters know that on the estate, they have to close together to survive. The media also does them no favors, with television reports portraying young people as violent and aggressive characters. During a scene where a television reporter asks to interview the main characters and their gang, they become angry at the media's assumptions that they are violent, and act up out of spite.
Narrative
The film opens with archive footage of riot scenes. We are instantly introduced to the setting of the film - the aftermath of a riot in the French suburbs. We are also kept aware of the time of day quite frequently. Throughout the film, the screen changes every so often, displaying nothing but the time in a large font. This also alerts us that the events in the film all take place in one day. Another interesting factor is the news report that occurs as the riot scenes come to an end. More of the narrative and background to the story is is revealed here. A young man named Abdel is in hospital in a critical condition following beatings from a police officer. It is this character that maps out the events for the central characters, as he is a close friend of theirs.
Cinematography
A bird's eye view of the entire estate is given when the DJ plays his music from his apartment. For this shot, a camera was attached to a remote control helicopter, which looks down on the entire estate, showing everything that the characters have to live with. Because of this, the camera is shaky, but the director commented that this was a good thing as it creates a more realistic outlook. Also, the use of wide-angle lenses creates a very a dramatic effect, especially when the bouncers are shot by Vinz's friends. Although he has his back turned to the action, we can still see his re-action to the violence. The use of focus is another important feature. Throughout this film, focus is shifted from one character to another by the use of sound, rather than action (the final scene when the car pulls up and Hubert is walking away). The affect in display here is to make us think that the dialogue is more important, compared to what happens around the characters.
Diversity is widely explored in the small suburb setting as the film's three central characters all have different backgrounds and ethnic origins. Vinz, who wants to have leading power in the group, is Jewish. Saïd, who is like a little brother who needs to be taken care of, is Arabic. Hubert, a peaceful boxer in control of his emotions, is black. Because of this, a form of a unity is created against the racist and violent police forces - the characters know that on the estate, they have to close together to survive. The media also does them no favors, with television reports portraying young people as violent and aggressive characters. During a scene where a television reporter asks to interview the main characters and their gang, they become angry at the media's assumptions that they are violent, and act up out of spite.
Narrative
The film opens with archive footage of riot scenes. We are instantly introduced to the setting of the film - the aftermath of a riot in the French suburbs. We are also kept aware of the time of day quite frequently. Throughout the film, the screen changes every so often, displaying nothing but the time in a large font. This also alerts us that the events in the film all take place in one day. Another interesting factor is the news report that occurs as the riot scenes come to an end. More of the narrative and background to the story is is revealed here. A young man named Abdel is in hospital in a critical condition following beatings from a police officer. It is this character that maps out the events for the central characters, as he is a close friend of theirs.
Cinematography
A bird's eye view of the entire estate is given when the DJ plays his music from his apartment. For this shot, a camera was attached to a remote control helicopter, which looks down on the entire estate, showing everything that the characters have to live with. Because of this, the camera is shaky, but the director commented that this was a good thing as it creates a more realistic outlook. Also, the use of wide-angle lenses creates a very a dramatic effect, especially when the bouncers are shot by Vinz's friends. Although he has his back turned to the action, we can still see his re-action to the violence. The use of focus is another important feature. Throughout this film, focus is shifted from one character to another by the use of sound, rather than action (the final scene when the car pulls up and Hubert is walking away). The affect in display here is to make us think that the dialogue is more important, compared to what happens around the characters.
Tuesday 21 September 2010
Research question
My small scale research question will be the following:
How are social, historical and political themes explored in the films of Shane Meadows?
My sources will included:
- DVD copies of my chosen films - 'This Is England', 'Somers Town' and 'Once Upon A Time in the Midlands'
- Press reviews of each film
- Shane Meadow's personal website
- Cast and crew interviews
- Research on the setting, location and time of each film.
How are social, historical and political themes explored in the films of Shane Meadows?
My sources will included:
- DVD copies of my chosen films - 'This Is England', 'Somers Town' and 'Once Upon A Time in the Midlands'
- Press reviews of each film
- Shane Meadow's personal website
- Cast and crew interviews
- Research on the setting, location and time of each film.
Wednesday 15 September 2010
Thoughts on 'La Haine'
I think that 'La Haine' was a very powerful film because the opening scenes allowed me see the context of which it is set in. The opening footage of rioting and police brutality gives us the picture that there is a town or suburb currently in a distressing situation, and the following introduction of the main characters enables us to see what life is like in those conditions.
The cinematography captured the setting of the run-down suburbs and the youth culture with believable efforts. The constant tracking and panning shots really helped me to grip on to the importance of each main character - It was very hard to lose focus of them. The combination of digetic and non-digetic sound was also another interesting factor. This was because during the scene when Vince was in his room, I thought it the music was non-digetic, but when he turned the stereo off, the music also stopped, meaning that it was really digetic.
The cinematography captured the setting of the run-down suburbs and the youth culture with believable efforts. The constant tracking and panning shots really helped me to grip on to the importance of each main character - It was very hard to lose focus of them. The combination of digetic and non-digetic sound was also another interesting factor. This was because during the scene when Vince was in his room, I thought it the music was non-digetic, but when he turned the stereo off, the music also stopped, meaning that it was really digetic.
Thursday 9 September 2010
Small Scale Research project - option #2
Technology - How has 3D technology developed in the cinema?
- 3D cinema first began in the 1950's - 'Bwana Devil' (1952), 'The House of Wax' (1953).
- Known as the 'Golden Age' of 3D films.
- Second wave during the 1980's, with films such as 'Jaws 3-D' (1983) and 'Friday the 13th Part III' (1982).
- Originally dismissed in the 50's due to viewers suffering from headaches, nausea and being put off by poor image quality, as well as the cost and complexity of the equipment used to make 3D films.
- Increasing in popularity in the 00's due to improved technology and to decrease piracy (It is harder to record 3D films in the cinema because of how they are filmed).
- More and more films are being released in 3D ('Alice in Wonderland', 'Piranha 3D'), and older films are being re-developed and screened in 3D e.g. 'Toy Story', 'Titanic' (Coming in 2012).
- 00's becoming the 2nd 'Golden Age'.
- 3D cinema first began in the 1950's - 'Bwana Devil' (1952), 'The House of Wax' (1953).
- Known as the 'Golden Age' of 3D films.
- Second wave during the 1980's, with films such as 'Jaws 3-D' (1983) and 'Friday the 13th Part III' (1982).
- Originally dismissed in the 50's due to viewers suffering from headaches, nausea and being put off by poor image quality, as well as the cost and complexity of the equipment used to make 3D films.
- Increasing in popularity in the 00's due to improved technology and to decrease piracy (It is harder to record 3D films in the cinema because of how they are filmed).
- More and more films are being released in 3D ('Alice in Wonderland', 'Piranha 3D'), and older films are being re-developed and screened in 3D e.g. 'Toy Story', 'Titanic' (Coming in 2012).
- 00's becoming the 2nd 'Golden Age'.
Wednesday 8 September 2010
Small Scale Research project - option #1
Social, Historical and Political context/Auteur - How are social, historical and political themes explored in the films of Shane Meadows?
'This Is England'
- Set in the Summer of 1983.
- Skinhead, Mod and new romantic sub-cultures for the youth: Displayed by Woody, Milky, Smell ect.
- Thatcher's Britain: Rise in unemployment, mentioned by Combo
- Meadows based the events on his childhood and upbringing.
- Nationalist movement: National Front, English Nationalism: Expressed by Combo.
- Reagge/Ska and other 80's aritist included in soundtrack, referencing the skinhead cultures and music released at the time.
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480025/soundtrack Complete soundtrack listing.
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/apr/21/culture.features Director Shane Meadows reflecting on growing up in the 1980's.
'Somers Town'
- Based on the social activity in the Somers Town area of London.
- St. Pancras railway being re-developed, Marek's farther finds work with this.
- http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article4469780.ece Times Online feature, with Meadows sharing his concerns while filming and actors Perry Benson and Thomas Turgoose giving their thoughts on their characters and the location of Somers Town.
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/aug/22/drama.somerstown Review from The Gaurdian around the release of the film.
'Once Upon A Time in the Midlands'
- Western Romantic references made, along with traditional Western music, but in a British setting (East Midlands).
- Stereo-typical British features including the bingo hall for entertainment, a 'Bagbie-esque Scottish psycho' (Robert Carlyle) a cocky, insult firing Cockney (Kathy Burke) and Rhys Ifans working in a garage, referencing the high number of motoring jobs in the Midlands.
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/08/21/once_upon_a_time_in_the_midlands_2002_review.shtml
Short interview with Meadows around the release of the film.
- "Given that Midlands is, like its predecessors, populated by losers, low-lives and semi-detached dreamers, one wonders whether Meadows isn't in danger of making the same film over and over again, a feeling not helped by the appearance of a knockabout fight scene recycled from an early short, ' Where's the Money Ronnie?' In fact, Midlands marks a clear shift onwards from the claustrophobic 'TwentyFourSeven' and the dark-hued 'Romeo Brass' into more colourful, comedic territory."
Extract from an interview with meadows about the film, taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2002/aug/25/features.review
'This Is England'
- Set in the Summer of 1983.
- Skinhead, Mod and new romantic sub-cultures for the youth: Displayed by Woody, Milky, Smell ect.
- Thatcher's Britain: Rise in unemployment, mentioned by Combo
- Meadows based the events on his childhood and upbringing.
- Nationalist movement: National Front, English Nationalism: Expressed by Combo.
- Reagge/Ska and other 80's aritist included in soundtrack, referencing the skinhead cultures and music released at the time.
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480025/soundtrack Complete soundtrack listing.
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/apr/21/culture.features Director Shane Meadows reflecting on growing up in the 1980's.
'Somers Town'
- Based on the social activity in the Somers Town area of London.
- St. Pancras railway being re-developed, Marek's farther finds work with this.
- http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article4469780.ece Times Online feature, with Meadows sharing his concerns while filming and actors Perry Benson and Thomas Turgoose giving their thoughts on their characters and the location of Somers Town.
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/aug/22/drama.somerstown Review from The Gaurdian around the release of the film.
'Once Upon A Time in the Midlands'
- Western Romantic references made, along with traditional Western music, but in a British setting (East Midlands).
- Stereo-typical British features including the bingo hall for entertainment, a 'Bagbie-esque Scottish psycho' (Robert Carlyle) a cocky, insult firing Cockney (Kathy Burke) and Rhys Ifans working in a garage, referencing the high number of motoring jobs in the Midlands.
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/08/21/once_upon_a_time_in_the_midlands_2002_review.shtml
Short interview with Meadows around the release of the film.
- "Given that Midlands is, like its predecessors, populated by losers, low-lives and semi-detached dreamers, one wonders whether Meadows isn't in danger of making the same film over and over again, a feeling not helped by the appearance of a knockabout fight scene recycled from an early short, ' Where's the Money Ronnie?' In fact, Midlands marks a clear shift onwards from the claustrophobic 'TwentyFourSeven' and the dark-hued 'Romeo Brass' into more colourful, comedic territory."
Extract from an interview with meadows about the film, taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2002/aug/25/features.review
Planning for Small-Scale Research Project
Possible ideas:
Technology
- The development/timeline of 3D in the cinema
- All the latest films being released in 3D
-Older films being re-run in cinemas in 3D
Star/Performer
- Stars of the 'Appatow productions' and why they appear in multiple films
-Paul Rudd, Jason Segal, Seth Rogan, Jonah Hill, Russel Brand ect.
- Why does Appatow work with those stars in particular?
Genre
- The development of books into films
-'Harry Potter' 'The Lord of the Rings' 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'
-How star appeal is used to attract an audience
Auteur
- The Meanings of films involved with Shane Meadows
-'This is England' 'Somers Town' 'Once Upon A Time in the Midlands'
-Cultural, historical and political contexts - Grim, Skinhead culture based on Meadows's personal life as a child. 'Somers Town' based the social environment of the Somers Town Area of London.
Technology
- The development/timeline of 3D in the cinema
- All the latest films being released in 3D
-Older films being re-run in cinemas in 3D
Star/Performer
- Stars of the 'Appatow productions' and why they appear in multiple films
-Paul Rudd, Jason Segal, Seth Rogan, Jonah Hill, Russel Brand ect.
- Why does Appatow work with those stars in particular?
Genre
- The development of books into films
-'Harry Potter' 'The Lord of the Rings' 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'
-How star appeal is used to attract an audience
Auteur
- The Meanings of films involved with Shane Meadows
-'This is England' 'Somers Town' 'Once Upon A Time in the Midlands'
-Cultural, historical and political contexts - Grim, Skinhead culture based on Meadows's personal life as a child. 'Somers Town' based the social environment of the Somers Town Area of London.
Thoughts on 'Hidden'
The establishing shot consisted of a street, surrounded by almost complete silence, with pedestrians crossing by occasionally. As a viewer, I found this to be quite nerve-wracking because I was unsure if anything was going to suddenly occur. I found the silence created suspense - Just when you thought everything was ordinary, something totally unexpected suddenly occurred. This did in fact happen, but in a format that I did not expect - through dialogue, which created the impression that people were watching something and it taken from the 1st person.
This thought also soon faded, when it was revealed that the shot was being taken through a video camera - however, this still did create the impression of a 1st person account.
This thought also soon faded, when it was revealed that the shot was being taken through a video camera - however, this still did create the impression of a 1st person account.
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