This is England - political and social context

How does This is England reflect the political and social contexts of the 80's?
- refer to film form including mise-en-scene (costume, setting, performance etc.) and sound specifically the music.

This is England reflects political and social context of the 80's by the mise-en-scene in which the use of costume and the setting reflects this. In 1979 Thatcher became the prime minister, in which during the 1980's many people suffered due to her ruling as she believed in a free market and small state, because of this many people in England became unemployed which led to poverty creating a capitalistic society. This then created the 'skinhead' subculture although this emerged in the 1960/70s of which this stood for people who shared the same taste in fashionable clothes and an interest in black culture & music, but by the 1980's the 'skinheads' synonymously became a term for neo-Nazism and stood for far-right politics. This is England reflects this by the use of costume, as Woody and his friends all stereotypically represent the 'skinheads' by their doc martens boots, checkered shirts, braces and Harrington jackets. Setting in This is England reflects the social and political views, as Meadows chooses to place the film in a working class location which is nameless and populated by a number of regional accents, this reflects how the problems caused by the capitalist society that created the 'skinhead subculture' is a widespread problem which has affected the main population of England. 

OFOTCN & Vertigo - auteur essay

Compare how far your chosen film reflects the auteur signature features of their filmmakers.
(40 marks)


In this essay I will explore how far Vertigo reflects Hitchcock's auteur signature and also how Forman reflects his auteur signature in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (OFOTCN). Auteur is how each filmmaker influences their films so that it reflects them and their own visions.


The filmmaker of Vertigo - Alfred Hitchcock - uses multiple auteur signature features within this film, for example Hitchcock uses the colour green in contrast to red throughout the film, firstly the colour green is shown when Scottie first sees Madeleine, in which she wears a green dress, this is used to draw the spectators towards Madeleine by creating a more vivid character and shows her importance in the role she plays. Green is then used again in the scene when Scottie first sees Judy, as she also wears green. The colour green carries connotations of jealousy, envy, greed and ambition. This reflects Scotties feelings towards Judy as his ambition and jealousy of her appearance, has led him to his obsession because of her resemblance to Madeleine. This is then portrayed again in the scene where Scottie asks Judy to change her appearance so that she reflects Madeleine, green lighting is used in this scene to reflect Scotties emotions towards Judy. Green is frequently contrasted with the colour red, as Madeleine/Judy would wear mainly green colours and Scottie would mainly wear red or red and green together. This contrast between red and green could be a motif of reality Vs. appearance, as Madeleines appearance is altered between her and Judy, Scotties appearance is also altered an example of this is Scottie's red and green tie. Hitchcock may have decided to do this so that the spectators may be aware of Scotties unbalanced personality between reality which his profession of being a Detective and then appearance which is his obsession to Madeleine.


Hitchcock's other signature auteur feature within his films is the centered idea of guilt and misogyny, this is portrayed throughout Vertigo. For example guilt is reflected in the opening scene of Vertigo when the policeman working with Scotties saves his life, but ends up falling off the building himself. This then led to his acrophobia which made him retire from his job. Another example of where guilt is presented is Madeleines death, because of his phobia of heights he couldn't save Madeleine which  then led to his guilt over her death. Because of the guilt he carries this led him to become possessive of Judy because of her resemblance to Madeleine.Another theme centered around this film is misogyny, this is reflected in Vertigo through Scotties obsession to Judy, his greed and ambition for her to change her appearance portrays the pre-feminist politics of the late 1950's in which women were inferior to men. Because of this inferiority Judy suffers in contrast to Scottie as she feels subordinate compared to him as he made her manipulate her appearance so that he would love her. This reflects the stereotype of how males are more tended to be active and females were passive, and that the female characters are seen as objects to male characters.


The filmmaker of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - Milos Forman - uses various auteur signature features in this film, an example of one of his auteur signatures is the frequent use of the colour white. White carries many connotations including: oppression, innocence and safety. This colour reflects the patients suppression in the mental institution because of Nurse Ratched, this also shows how they aren't able to express their true emotions and are controlled. In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest the patients also wear white which symbolises their oppression through their appearance. Forman also includes the use of fencing and high walls to reflect the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape. This is shown through the scene when McMurphy arrives at the institute and also when the patients are playing basketball. The use of this could be a parallel to Milos Forman's upbringing in how his parents suffered and died in the Nazi concentration camps, the repressed environment created by the use of fencing by Forman reflects this.


Forman's other auteur signature feature is Jack Nicholson's performance in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Jack Nicholson's portrayal of McMurphy, gives a realistic depiction of someone suffering in a mental institution. McMurphy's character was a man feigning to be insane so that he didn't have to complete the manual labour given to him by prison, his maniacal laugh reflects this role of a mental patient. Nicholson has given this signature feature of a maniacal man in many other roles after Forman's OFOTCN this includes his portrayal of Jack Torrance in The Shining, The Joker in Batman and many other roles.


In conclusion, Vertigo reflects Hitchcock's auteur by the use of colour, costume and through key themes such as guilt and misogyny whereas Forman also reflects his auteur signature in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by the use of colour but also through character performances such a Jack Nicholson's portrayal of McMurphy.

Captain Fantastic - spectatorship essay

1. Explore how far spectators respond in the same way to film. Illustrate your answer by close reference to your chosen film.


This essay will explore how far the spectators respond when watching Captain Fantastic in the same way, spectatorship is how individuals engage with the film and develop their own response.


Filmmakers use a range of key and structural elements of the film so that spectators will respond in a particular way. All spectators will have an active response when watching captain fantastic, because they are consuming it, engaging with it and forming a response when watching the film, whereas they won't have a passive response because they will do all these things. Some spectators may have a negotiated response when watching the opening sequence where Bo brutally kills the stag, the spectators may respond this way due to their social or cultural backgrounds, they may disagree with the way they have killed the stag or think its inhumane to kill any animal or they may be vegetarian or vegan and so reject their life choices of eating animals. However the spectators may disagree with their life choices, they acknowledge how the family wish to live. The spectators may feel sympathetic towards Rellian in the scene when they're all rock climbing and he breaks his arm, in this scene Ben refuses to help Rellian instead makes him carry on rock climbing because he argues that they must be dependant on themselves. Spectators may have different responses depending on whether they agree with Ben's views, they may feel sympathetic towards Rellian if they reject Ben's beliefs and parenting skills, however the spectators that agree with his beliefs wouldn't feel sympathetic for him if they do believe they have to depend on themselves.

Spectators may also have different responses in the funeral scene when they're cremating their mother. Some spectators may have a oppositional response when watching this scene, because the spectators will have a rational response by questioning of how they all managed to dig up her coffin and how they managed to carry it and transport it. Because of this some spectators may reject this scene because of the unrealistic aspects but other spectators may have the emotional response of sympathy for the family because of the loss of their mother. Other spectators may respond in a different way than most spectators due to their personal experiences for example, they may feel empathy towards the family over the loss of their mother if they have lost someone themselves. Also the use of diegetic music in this scene, when they are cremating their mother heightens the sympathy that some spectators may feel if they have lost someone, because the children are creating it themselves, this makes the scene more meaningful and sincere when commemorating their mother. Whereas those who can not empathise may not respond in the same way because they can't relate to the children in this scene.

In conclusion, spectators won't respond in the same way when watching Captain Fantastic, this is due to their cultural, social or political beliefs because of this they may reject Ben's views on raising his children away from society however other spectators may agree with his views and so wouldn't feel sympathetic towards the children. Spectators may also respond differently due to their personal experiences, or their response might be dependent on their age for example younger spectators may not understand the political views represented in the film so will not respond in the same way as older spectators who will.  Also gender and ethnicity affect the way that spectators respond when watching Captain Fantastic.

Captain Fantastic - plot summary/ flawed masculinity/ ambiguity/ consumerism & villains/ heroes

Captain fantastic  

Plot Summary - 

Captain Fantastic is about Ben Cash- the father of six children who live their lives isolated away from society to teach them to live without the necessity of technology etc. The children's mother (Leslie) suddenly passes and Ben must take them into the outside world for the first time to attend their mothers funeral and to grant her wish of being cremated.

Flawed Masculinity - 

 The film represents the flawed masculinity within it as Ben ironically tries to save their children lives by separating them from society but as a result of this he is in fact killing them because they don't have the skills they need to survive in the real world because of this.

Ambiguity in Captain Fantastic - 

The ending of the film is ambiguous because the spectators may interpret the ending differently because we aren't aware whether they are now leading a normal life and going to school etc or whether they lead the same life as before.

Consumerism and Alternative lifestyles -

consumerism in this film is how the Americans buys the things in life that aren't always necessary such as fast foods but they buy anyway. The family in Captain fantastic reject this and the governmental ideas and only survive of the things that are naturally placed in the world because of this they may be classed as misunderstood or strange.

Villains and Heroes- 

Neither Ben or Jack (the grandfather) are the villains or heroes because they both deprive the children what they want for example cremating their mother or letting them go home, but they do this to help them live a better life as a part of society.

Inception - plot summary/end sequence & wider representations

Summary - 

Inception has a range of genres from being an action, science fiction and thriller to a heist movie, it is about a thief (also known as extractors) - Dom Cobb - who has the ability to enter peoples dreams and steal their secrets from their subconscious. His ability to do this has made him an asset in the world of corporate espionage. Dom gets a chance at redemption when he is offered an impossible task to plant an idea in someone's mind. 
The confusing elements of this film are the many narratives within it, this is shown by the different layers of dreams they are in, but also by the end of the film the spectators don't know whether Dom is still in one of the dreams because his totem (the spinning top) is still spinning and so there is no resolution. 

The recruitment of Ariadne - 

The purpose of this scene besides the recruitment is to explain the fundamentals of the dreams and what Dom job is.
We can tell from the performance of Ariadne that she slowly begins to realise she is in a dream by how shocked she looks when the shops surrounding her are exploding and when Dom questions her on how she got to the cafe, because she can not remember. 
The audience placement in this sequence changes throughout as firstly it is Ariadne who questions Dom about the physics of the dreams and he has all the answers. But then the power switches when Ariadne shows what she can do as she starts manipulating the landscapes in Paris and then it is Dom who has all the question for Ariadne. 

The end sequence - 

The camerawork in this sequence used is tracking shots, close ups, slow motion and over the shoulder shots. This creates an active response the spectators can begin to feel like they are a part of it. 
The end scene links into the conventions of a heist movie when they silently acknowledge each other and nod whilst they are all leaving the airport. 
The ending of the film is uncertain because the spectators aren't aware whether Cobb is still in a dream or whether he is in reality because his totem is still spinning. This is a suitable ending for the film because the spectators are left to question if Cobb was still in a dream.

Emotional responses - 

Pessimism - This response could be created by the capitalism views represented by Fischer's company and how he is trying to expand his wealth. 

Optimism - This response could be created by the representation of the flawed male characters.

Empathy - This response could be created by the relationship between Cobb and his death wife, as she is a projection in his dream which the spectators could relate to if they have similar dreams. 

Sympathy - This response would be created by Cobb's relationship between his wife and also his kids. 

Visual and Sonic techniques -

                                                frequent repetition of elements in the film 

Totems (spinning top, chess piece, loaded die) -  Is used for the characters to check if they are still in a dream or in reality. 
Water - Is used to represent refreshness which reflects what the dreams are in each stage. 
Lifts - To represent the different layers of their dreams and so it appeals to gamers.
War/fighting - To show they are in the middle of a battle 
Musical motifs (lietmotif) "Je Ne Regrette Rien" - Used to awaken the characters when they are in a dream and so they know when they are near to end of the certain 
Tempo (of the music) - Reflects the level and depth of the dream they are in 

Wider representations -

The implanting of an idea in Fischer's head represents capitalism and how this film is about trying to stop Fischer's energy company from gaining too much power, because of this Inception can be seen as an anti-capitalism film.

Also this film represents male trauma post 9/11, which can also reflect the crisis in masculinity and how the characters are flawed.

Gaming is shown which could represent the different layers of dream but also could reflect the gaming generation which is the intended audience for Inception.

OFOTCN & Vertigo, gender representation essay

Compare how gender is represented in one sequence from each of your chosen films. Refer to one character from each film. [20]


This essay will explore the different ways that gender is represented in the films 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'  by looking at McMurphy's reaction to the voting of the baseball game and 'Vertigo' by looking at Judy's response when Scottie manipulates her appearance to look like Madeleine.

In One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest masculinity is represented as passive in contrast to stereotypical cinema representations, as the male characters are seen as weak and vulnerable because of their illness and by how Nurse Ratched oppresses them. McMurphy progressively changes the view the male characters carry in this film, as he begins to show his power through rebelling against the female character, when McMurphy challenges Nurse Ratched.The nurse denies the patients access to watch the baseball game even though they have majority votes by the patients. By denying the male characters they become 'metaphorically castrated ' this strips McMurphy's masculinity away from him as he is left powerless by Nurse Ratched when he says 'now i want that television set turned on, right now! '[ Nurse Ratched slides the glass panel across the front of the Nurse's station, shutting out his protest] .But further on in this sequence and the film masculinity isn't shown as passive as the patients all in someway gain dominance and control as McMurphy influences them and shows them they don't have to be subservient. McMurphy begins to commentate the baseball game by pretending that it is being shown on the TV, by doing this he is rebelling, showing defiance against Nurse Ratched showing his dominance and how she can not take away his masculinity. Also in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest when McMurphy and the other patients escape to go fishing, McMurphy becomes less passive as he has obtained his freedom from the manipulation of Nurse Ratched, he has gained back his masculinity and so feels more powerful because of this.Gender is also represented in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by when McMurphy throws a leaving party for himself and for chief, he shows his dominance by rebelling against all authority figures as he plans his escape.



In Vertigo, gender representations resemble the way stereotypical cinema is represented, as the main female character shows her obedience to Scottie when he tries to manipulate her appearance so she is the duplication of Madeleine. In the sequence when Scottie manipulates her appearance Judy doesn't disobey him, so this shows her inferiority compared to him. Judy shows her weakness when she says " if I let you change me , will that do it ? If I do what you tell me, will you love me?” Scottie: “Yes—yes.”

Judy: “Alright then, I’ll do it. I don’t care anymore about me.” this supports the stereotype that is given to women as Judy in this sequence is seen as weak, passive to Scottie because she wants to be loved by him because of this she loses femininity because she is seen as an object that the male characters are used to 'look at'. Another sequence in Vertigo when gender resembles stereotypical cinema is when Scottie buys madeleine clothes. This shows that Scottie is trying to dominate Judy by controlling what she wears, but Judy doesn't care that Scottie is trying to change her as long as he loves her.This shows that Judy is passive and acquiescent because she is complying to Scottie. 

Trainspotting - opening and closing sequences

The opening sequence sets the scene for the film as Renton and Spud are running away from the police after shoplifting something to pay for their drugs. As they are running away a voiceover of Renton plays over the music and action, he says "choose life, choose a career, choose a family [...] cars, compact disc players, electrical tin openers, choose good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, choose fixed interest mortgage repayments, choose a starter home, choose your friends [...]. Renton says this ironically to suggest that these things aren't good things in life whereas he is pessimistic and only cares about drugs. This contrasts to the closing sequence because Renton has changed his views of the importance of life, he lists the objects again but now he aspires to have in his life. 

Thatcherism was a belief in free markets and a small government under Thatcher as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. Rather than planning and regulating business and people's lives, government's job is to get out the way. By this they can buy and sell freely. Margaret Thatcher believed that the victorian family values were the way to improve society, through people bettering themselves. This was not just economic means "but there was an element of it being linked to respectability and societal values". This opposes to Trainspotting because the characters aren't trying to better themselves at the beginning and no not carry societal values this is shown by Renton's speech about Scottish people where he says " we are the lowest of the low", whereas by the end Renton tries to better himself by getting off drugs and gets a job.  

Aids in Trainspotting has a frequent reference seen when : Renton goes to get tested for AIDS, during Renton's withdrawal when Dale Winton is shown on TV presenting a game show talking about The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and over time - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is also seen when Tommy dies from the disease. 

1990s music in Trainspotting shows rebellion by Iggy Pops song 'Lust for life' this shows the destruction of Renton himself by how he is abusing drugs and how this is overthrowing society. The use of classical music makes the scenes ironic because it is played when disturbing things are happening but it also makes the scene uplifting.Perfect day by Lou Reed is playing whilst Renton is taken to hospital because he has overdosed which makes this scene ironic. Born slippy by Underworld reflects the change from anarchy to freedom.