Genre Research

HeistBy:Ilir Shega

What is Heist?A heist genre is a film plot based around a group of people trying to steal something.

Typically, there are manyplot twists, and film focuses on the characters' attempts to formulate a plan, carry it out, and escape with the goods. There is often anemesiswho must be thwarted: either a figure of authority or a former partner who turned on the group or one of its members.

Or a classic plot twist as seen in Oceans Eleven is one of the group members on the way tries to win back the heart of usually their ex wife whom is currently the new wife of the person who will get robbed.

Early Heist FilmsThe Great Train RobberyEarliest Heist film which was released in 1903 directed by Edwin S. Porter. The film in total is 12 minutes long which was a silent film. The Editor of the film had a bit to say on the Heist genre: Methods of crime should not be explicitly presented.

RififiRififi is a 1955 Frenchcrime filmadaptation ofAuguste le Breton's novel of the same name. Directed by American filmmakerJules Dassin, The plot revolves around a burglary at a jewelry shop in theRue de Rivoli. Tony, Jo, Mario, and Csar band together to commit the almost impossible theft. The centerpiece of the film is an intricate half hour heist scene depicting the crime in detail, shot in near silence, without dialogue or music. The fictional burglary has been mimicked by criminals in actual crimes around the world

Modern Heist FilmsInceptionInceptionis a 2010 Americanfilm written, produced, and directed byChristopher Nolan.The film starsLeonardo DiCaprio,Ken Watanabe,Joseph Gordon-Levitt,Marion Cotillard,Ellen Page,Cillian Murphy,Tom Hardy,Dileep Rao,Tom Berenger, andMichael Caine. All well known actors in todays society.The ambiguous ending was designed to leave the audience with open questions and spark discussion over what really happened. Did the top stop spinning at the end, or will it keep going to infinity? Right before the film cuts to the end credits thetotemwobbles, however it keeps spinning. This keeps both possibilities open that it will either stop spinning soon, or never stop spinning.

Other Modern Heist films

Heist SettingsHeist films are established by the directors in very know and rich places.For example Oceans 11 the heist is in a Las Vegas Casino.This types of settings are established as the audience ask the WHAT IF? questions which in this case is what if a bank in Las Vegas got robbed?.Due to this settings audiences also get predictable pleasures from going to watch the film as the films outcomes are almost predictable, however audiences like this fact !

Heist GenreIdeological Themes, Iconography, Narrative Structure

Ideological ThemesThe crew / The groupHeist Films requires a group to perform the heist and usually in a heist film a short bit of the film is allocated to the main leader of the group going around looking for individuals who fit certain qualities in order to make the group. Like pointed out in Oceans Eleven there might be a Point person, Computer Person etc.Valuables / TreasuresHeists usually involve Money, diamonds, old antiques or a very valuable item which is worth millions.No matter how bad the odds look likeAnother Ideological theme in a heist film is the odds looking impossible for our main protagonist.E.g. in oceans eleven our main protagonist was going to rob the biggest casino, and as shown in the film it showed many past robbers who have not succeeded in robbing the casino and ended up dead. However our main protagonist still fancied his chances and gives a film the heist theme.Manipulation Manipulation happens in every Heist film, as its the main ingredient of the heist genre.This kind of scene would involve a person from the team becoming friends with the enemy in order to obtain certain information from them, to manipulate them. Ideological Themes

IconographyLeader would be associated with these kind of things:

Being smart, our main protagonist who calls the shots to everything.Is linked to the rest of the team.The character whom we see the most out of as an audience.

Leader would be associated with these types of Mise-En-Scene:

Usually wears a suit, especially in a heist film looking as sharp as possible.

IconographyA robber would be associated with these things:

Being fast, getting the job done instantly.In out quickly, leave no traces / proof.Being violent to get their ways at any cost.Usually armed and dangerousA robber would be associated with these Mise-en-scene things:

All blacked out, black gloves, black balaclava, black dressing etc.Have ropes/ a kit ready for robbing whatever needs to be robbed.Weapons In case plan A fails so plan B can come into place.

Narrative StructureHeist films usual have a 3 act plot which reflects Todorovs 3act story plot which is A hero is called to an adventure, - The journey of the hero and the resolution, which are reflected in heist films :

The Beginning (introduction to character and early stages of the robbery)Middle or second act (plot is exposed more the heist is becoming more visible and known for why its happening, heist still going all to plan however we have the little setbacks and difficulties nothing major).End or third act (Plot is known in depth it becomes twisted and thickened usually when a member of the heist group gets snitched by another member usually its obvious to the audience who it is. )Narrative Structure

Is Heist Glamorised ?Heist films are now usually glamorised, as the reason for the robberies is for a greater good.

From films such as Oceans Eleven the robbers are seen as the protagonists even though they are robbing a bank.The bank keeper is seen as a tyrant for trying to stop them reflecting the issue of Hollywood glamorising Heist genre films.