How do representations of Britishness compare to previous time periods?

HMK: 500 words on this question

How do representations of Britishness compare to previous time periods?

Point: British women are portrayed as more powerful in contemporary cinema than previous decades.

Evidence: In Fish Tank (2009) directed by Andrea Arnold, Mia (Katie Jarvis) is a strong independent woman signified by the

close up of her headbutting her best friend which connotes she’s taking control of her situation.

Explain: This links to David Gauntlett’s theory of decline in tradition. Mia is standing up for herself which in films in the past for example The 39 Steps (1935) directed by Alfred Hitchcock the

female character on the train was shown being dominated by the lead character who forcefully kissed her and she let him.

This represents her character as a traditional 30s woman.

Charlie’s example

• The portrayal of British men has changed within films.• In My Name is Joe (1998) directed by Ken Loach, Joe is

unemployed signing on. There is a low angle shot showing Joe painting connoting he looks for odd jobs to earn an untaxable income.

• This supports David Gauntlett’s theory of masculinity in crisis because men are supposed to be the breadwinner. An opposing example to this is Ben Sergeant (played by Dominic Cooper) in Tamara Drewe (2010) is a commercially successful popstar. This is represented by the young girl stealing his t shirt which connotes he is a desirable icon unlike Joe.

Compare Alfie (1966) Gilbert and 39 steps (1935) Hitchcock

• Rep of Britishness through gender/class

• Are stereotypes reinforced or challenged?

• 30s – ‘Many full-length films were produced during the decade of the 1930s. The 1930s were a decade of political turmoil and economic problems; the great depression had affected the entire world, and Europe was dealing with both the fallout of World War I and the economic hardships of the time, both of which resulted in the rise of fascist (intolerant/domineering/authoritarian) political movements. The uncertainty of the era resulted in widespread popularity of fantastical, escapist fare.’

• ‘mainstream critics said that the films, whether big or low budget, failed to reflect social reality, depict ordinary British life or venture beyond the confines of a studio.’

• 60s – ‘By the middle of the decade, the focus was back on London, newly confident as the home of a thriving music and fashion scene that was envied worldwide. The 'swinging London' phenomenon spawned a coterie (exclusive group) of films’

• Alfie – Paramount – budget $800,000 – took $18 million• 39 Steps – Gaumont British (independent) / no box office figures

39 steps

• China tea set – wealth• Suits, diegetic dialogue, unity, groomed, overcoat• Police are good/trusted• Train – exciting/wealth/adventures/escapism

• Challenged – on side of villain

• Woman allowed him to kiss/handed him over to police – traditional values

• Male lead

Alfie• Cockney accent – well dressed, nice car – reinforcing London in

the 60s• Breaking the fourth wall – piece to camera – breaking traditional

filmmaking rules• Checkered suit – against tradition/cleavage – sexual

liberation/reinforcing• Institution of marriage challenged – positive affair• Diegetic dialogue: ‘it’ll go home happy’ Objectifying women –

challenging 60s stereotypes• Married woman trapped, boring, sad – plain looking, no makeup• Dog – balance negative associations

Key texts to compare – female leads

• Fish Tank (2009) Andrea Arnold • production company: BBC films, UK film council, Limelight

Communication, distributed by IFC• Tamara Drewe (2010) Stephen Frears• Production company: BBC films, UK film council, Ruby films,

distributed by Momentum, Sony US

• Bridget Jones Edge of Reason (2004) Beeban Kidron• Production: Working Title distributed by Universal• Educating Rita(1983) Lewis Gilbert• Acorn pictures distributed by Columbia

Comparisons of British female leads

• Educating Rita

• Bright colours, not a serious character

• Confident and bold/naiive – negative connotation of manners/behaviour

• Liverpool (northerner) – positive (fun, upbeat)

• Ambitious (literacy degree)• 80s Thatcher, powerful

women

• Bridget Jones

• Negative representationNervous, wants a man (not complete), low self esteem, clumsy, scruffy, not taking care of herselfEmphasis marriage and a family unitPositive – well spoken, good jobMale – higher class – first class on plane – man saves herPride and Prejudice

SOCIAL IMPACT

• What IMPACT do films have on you?

• On your identity?

• On society?

Positive social impact Negative social impact

Independent woman/more of a voice – Gauntlett’s Girl Power

Masc in Crisis – not bringing home the bacon/ Decline in Tradition – men’s roles changing/role reversal with women

Bridget Jones Effect – changing emotions – identity from U&G – relating to character

Imitable behaviour – copycat of Clockwork Orange Violence

Economic growth, tourism, generating sales of DVDs, cultural contribution.

Funding and space limits growth of UK film industry

Desensitisation – ratings adjusted to accommodate current trends in language etc – Hypodermic needle model

Positive social impact Negative social impact

Independent woman/more of a voice – Gauntlett’s Girl Power

Masc in Crisis – not bringing home the bacon/ Decline in Tradition – men’s roles changing/role reversal with women

Bridget Jones Effect – changing emotions – identity from U&G – relating to character

Imitable behaviour – copycat of Clockwork Orange Violence

Economic growth, tourism, generating sales of DVDs, cultural contribution.

Funding and space limits growth of UK film industry

Desensitisation – ratings adjusted to accommodate current trends in language etc – Hypodermic needle model

SOCIAL IMPACT

• What IMPACT do films have on you?• Change opinions/beliefs/relate/empathise with the

characters – shape who you want to be/think differently/ enjoyment/entertainment/utopian feel

• On your identity?• Aspirational needs/behaviour changes/career path….• On society? change views• Educates/inform – world events/culture/issues/politics• Passive audience – Stuart Hall’s preferred

response/Hypodermic needle model• Uses and Gratifications Theory

SOCIAL IMPACT• What IMPACT do films have on you?• Escapism, entertainment, knowledge, social interaction…uses and

gratifications

• On your identity? (active/passive)/hypodermic needle/U&G• Reinforcing/challenging stereotypes – consider your

appearance/behaviour/beliefs/opinions

• On society? (major or independent/niche vs mainstream audiences)• Prejudice, think differently, live differently – The Bridget Jones

effect/generation…ideology/hegemony(dominant ideologies – breakdown of family/single girls settling down)

Which film will have the most social impact?

• Fish Tank (2009) Andrea Arnold • production company: BBC films, UK film council, Limelight

Communication, distributed by IFC• Tamara Drewe (2010) Stephen Frears• Production company: BBC films, UK film council, Ruby films,

distributed by Momentum, Sony US

• Bridget Jones Edge of Reason (2004) Beeban Kidron• Production: Working Title distributed by Universal• Educating Rita(1983) Lewis Gilbert• Acorn pictures distributed by Columbia

Social impact

• Fish Tank• Single Mum struggling – social worker –

asynchronous sound – ‘hard being on your own’• Mia’s limited opportunities/neglected alcohol

abuse• Masc in crisis/decline in tradition – Conor has a

more feminine role – nurturing her• Objectification of him undressing/voyeuristic

Social impact

• Tamara Drewe• More in control of relationship – he’s chasing her – masc

in crisis• Teens – fantasising, troublesome, reinforces typical teen

stereotypes (passive audience)• Beth as a motherly figure – insignificant, belittles, ignores

– he’s the important figure – sexist traditional roles – subverts masc in crisis

• Andy vs Ben – roles changing over time – juxtaposition/binary opposites – stark contrast of modern vs traditional man

Which film has the most social impact?

• Educating Rita (1983)• Bridget Jones Edge of Reason (2004)• Fish Tank (2009)• Tamara Drewe (2010)

The Bridget Jones Effect

• Read the articles

• In what ways can a film affect society?

TASK 30 mins: apply today’s targets

What are the social implications of different representations of Britishness?

500 words on this question.

Most social impactEducating Rita Bridget Jones Fish Tank Tamara Drewe

Aspire – lower class (liverpool) – ambitious – aspirations/motivations education

Worldwide – major companies – more impactRelatable characterempathise

Educating middle classes on lower class

Aspirational, well spoken, large houses

One off False representation

niche Image obsessed, unhappy