AS Film Studies 2012-2013: December 2014

Here is a list of new peer partners based on most recent performance in using PEA and comparing the films.

Student 1 with 5 & 9

Student 2 with 6

Student 3 with 7

Student 4 with 8

Student 5 with 9

The messages (A) of both films have been discussed in previous lessons and your feedback from module addressed a lack of weekly summary in your notes. How far have you made progress?

Level 3 (low) Can make points about gender with some examples though maybe not comparatively or to link to purpose or messages (P with some E but no A)

Student 1

Level 3 (midr) Can link some points to interpret comparative anslysis of the film with examples (P linked to A with E)

Student 2

Student 3

Student 4

Student 5

Level 3 (upper) or Level 4: Can explain how the film uses Representation of gender to communicate messages (S) (P linked to A with comparative E and explanation if the messages of the films S)

Student 6

Student 7

Student 8

Student 9

Messages (see your notes this should be there...) It is my expectation that all students ought to be able to refer to this in your essay. Without this in your essay you evidence a general lack of preparation and revision.

To be feminine is to be fearful and passive (Evey embodies the population)

To be masculine is to be responsible and active

This uses typical Hollywood convention of ' men act women appear' but subverts it to make a political point (not typical to shave the femininity off of your leading lady)

CoM

Feminine is to be a mother, natural to nurture and birth = hope

A man made unnatural future where women have no role = despair and violence

Masculinity is unrestricted and without hope - destructive and power struggle

Kee mother had more power than hyper masculinity - at least temporarily

Thesis: How do the films compare in their use of representation to communicate their messages on gender and social commentary on contemporary Britain?

1. What significant examples of gender roles (father/strength/power/Hypermasculinity) are in the characters?

2. What significant examples of gender roles (father/strength/power/Hypermasculinity) are in the characters?

Mother roles
Evey- After V dies, Evey becomes the head of the revolution and assumes an motherly figure, with her role in the revolution to look after everyone as she is the leader.
Delia Surridge- She is the scientist who operated on V and made him a super soldier. V kills her later in the film. Her work on changing V's body and making him different implies an sort of maternal relationship between her and V.

Father Roles
V- V is an father figure for Evey. He looks after her and protects her from the fingerman who attack her at the beginning of the film. He also helps her overcome her fear of death and convinces her to take part in the rebellion. By protecting her like this and teaching her views and life lessons that he feels is important, he assumes the role of a paternal figure.
Gordon Dietrich- Dietrich can also be considered an father figure for Evey. He lets her into his secret life, showing that he trusts her. He also sacrifices himself for her, giving him a tragic role in Eveys life. His sacrifice is important to protect Evey from the police.
Adam Sutler- Sutler is the head of the oppressive government in V for Vendetta. He controls all aspects of life in Britain. He can be considered as an very strict and stern father figure who is dominant over everyone in his control.

Father roles in CoM = ?

In V Masculinity = Strength/Power hypermasculinity
V- V is strong and powerful because he has been genetically modified to be strong and is a very charismatic and manipulative person. He shows power over people with his skill of persuasion and his passion to overthrow the government. His lack of remorse and his willingness to kill people also shows a sense of power.
Adam Sutler- Sutler's regime and oppressive government gives him power and strength over every aspect of normal life under his governments rule. This role of power and strength is a crucial aspect of the stories narrative.

Masculinity in CoM = ?

In V Femininity = weakness & fear

Femininity in CoM = ?

3. How does the film use Yonic & Phallic imagery?

4. Use of the Male Gaze & 'Men Act, Women Appear'

5. How does the film represent Dystopia Britain as a nation and does it follow film stereotypes?
The film represents Dystopia Britain as an one man government. Adam Sutler controls every aspect of everyday life, with him placing curfews and assigning a secret police (The Fingermen) to supervise British citizens and ensure that there is no homosexuality that could, in his view, pollute the nation. This setting is strongly reminiscent of Nazi Germany and it's oppressive regime. The use of an dystopia in V
for Vendetta is different to other similar dystopia films. V for Vendetta doesn't show

a society in ruin, but instead shows an near-future, where everything looks like

modern day life with a few changes, for example, huge screens in Piccadilly circus where Sutler gives his speeches and a curfew, where if broken, people can be killed.

National identity - we become our enemy?

Britain vs Fascism 'WW2'

Britain vs religious fundamentalist Terrorism '7/7 & War on Terror'

National identity in children of me and v for vendetta are represented in slightly different ways; in v for vendetta it is ruled under a fascist dictatorship government where chancellor sutler rules through fear. In children of men the government communicates with it's society through advertisements which play on the people's desire to live longer. This is mainly done through the mise en scene and editing.

For example in v for vendetta Britain is now it's binary opposite taking on the role of its enemy Germany with the flag that looks like a nazi and a leader that thinks he is doing things for the better of the people when in fact he wants a society he can control and anyone that does not submit or conform is killed.

Also there is a similarity with the way people are taken away when they do not conform to the rules and regulations of the government; in children of men this is the hippy woman getting black bagged when standing up to a police officer to protect kee where in v for vendetta Dietrich is black bagged for making a mockery out of chancellor sutler on his show saying he was behind the mask of v.

Furthermore the segregation of people that are not accepted into the dystopian society are made to be known in both films; in v for vendetta these are all the people like homosexuals, terrorists, transgenders etc that are put into an experiment to make a superior race that can be an army controlled by the government where in children of men the immigrants are treated like animals, huddled into cages and lined up to be shot.

Female identity

Female identity in children of men and v for vendetta are represented in different ways through different micro aspects such as mise en scene specifically casting and costume. Shows women in masculine roles. Hippy lady in children of men is motherly and masculine in strength. Evey shaved head and wears male clothing to make her masculine role.

Traditional femininity vs post masculine feminists

Evey is fighting with v with shaved head and roses in background which is yonic imagery gives sense of independence. Scene where she leaves v- he's a fatherly role and she is the stroppy teenager.

Contradiction to Hippy woman defending kee- so kee is vulnerable and cannot stand up for herself.

Traditional feminity

Evey is in child prostitute outfit and is sweet and vulnerable which conforms to stereotypical female identity. Male gaze/ voyeurism. Evey holds power.

Kee is pretty much naked revealing pregnant is belly. Conforms to stereotypical female identity.

Post modern femininity

Evey holding up arms in rain after torture is portrayal of independence>> reborn

Kee is now independent and looking after baby now that theo is dead.

AS Film Studies 2012-2013

AS Film Exam Section B

Monday 15 December 2014

2.7.1&2 iconic narrative content, sequel, prequel, reboot

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Representation feedback PEAS comparative

Monday 8 December 2014

Essay plan Representation