mércores, 24 de febreiro de 2021

Captain Fantastic Ideology: Binary Opposites

Jack v Ben Traditional v Alternative (lifestyle and family ) Academic education v practical education / life experience/social skills conservative v progressive cold lighting v warm lighting Parent v child Ben v Bo communism v capitalism equality v privelge suburbia v wilderness safety v risk formal traditional ritual v heartfelt/familial ritual life v death possibly ethical v unethical

venres, 19 de febreiro de 2021

Component 1A : Hollywood 1930-1990

Learners must compare two Hollywood films: one must be chosen from group 1 and one from group 2. These are studied in relation to the core study areas, film form , foregrounding contexts and also the idea of the auteur. Group 1: Classical Hollywood (1930 - 1960)  Casablanca (Curtiz, 1942) Group 2: New Hollywood (1961 - 1990)  Apocolypse Now (Coppola, 1979) The comparative study requires the exploration of one film from the Classical Hollywood period and one from what is generally referred to as New Hollywood. There will be clear points of comparison suggested by the institutional and production contexts of the films: films in the 1940s and 1950s were produced during the Hollywood studio era and its immediate aftermath and effectively established the 'Classical Hollywood style'. The films produced between the later 1960s and later 1980s can all be seen in terms of 'New Hollywood', where a new generation of directors began to show new influences, especially from European cinema. All films are characterised by directors who may be considered auteurs –sometimes working with other key filmmaking figures. This enables learners to apply a critical approach to the films based on the idea of the auteur. Building on this contrast in institutional context, the study considers more generally how contexts are reflected in film, including the contrasting social contexts of the two groups of films, how knowledge of contexts increases understanding and how films generate meanings and responses. Learners will thus explore the relationship between contexts and films through considering key elements of film (cinematography, mise-en-scène, editing, sound and performance), the structural elements of film (narrative construction and, where relevant, genre), aesthetic and representation issues. Whilst the emphasis of the comparative study will be on contexts, all core study areas will be relevant to this study so that learners can compare in detail the way contexts are reflected in the films studied. In addition, learners are required to explore the idea of the auteur to their chosen films.

sábado, 13 de febreiro de 2021

Captain Fantastic: Ideologies and themes

How do the two funeral scenes portray the different rituals ? Which is presented as the more positive and meaningful event ? the first funeral scene seems more forced. a crowded, Catholic funeral is not what was wanted as we can tell from Ben's reactions. there is some meaning there as the parents and other family members are mourning their loss, and family is an important recurring theme in this film. However the second funeral scene is more personal and cherishable. it's much smaller and has just Ben and his children. this funeral honours the deceased's wishes and is a much more positive experience for the family. Consider how film form ( cinematography, editing- including narrative structure , mise-en-scene, sound and performance ) is used to encourage us to support one ideology or belief system more than another through making the audience empathise with particular character or characters . This is known as creating allegiance between audience and characters. Is this creation of allegiance fair and balanced ? I don't think the creation of allegiance is fair and balanced as we see the film through Ben's eyes and his eyes alone. if we were able to get more than a singular point of veiw then the balance may be different. What is this contrast saying about the nature of traditional rituals ? The contrast between the two funeral scenes shows that traditional rituals such as the second funeral are not considered socially acceptable yet it was what was wanted by the deceased. yet the socially acceptable funeral was planned by those who fit into society's expectations. Are there any parts of the funeral and ashes disposal scene you find uncomfortable ? Why ? I didn't particularly find any parts of the funeral and ash disposal scene uncomfortable because i'm just not phased by anything, but i respect the mother's wish to be flushed down the toilet- thats iconic.

mércores, 10 de febreiro de 2021

10/02/21- a short film I'd recommend

I actually have 3 short films that I highly recommend, all of which can be found on Youtube. 1) Rúbaí This is probably my favourite/easiest to understand short film for a few reasons. The film is in Gaelige(Irish), which is a language I grew up learning and speaking, but has English subtitles. It's about a young girl, Rúbaí, who is with her class preparing for her Holy Communion. However, she states that she is actually an Atheist and refuses to participate. I'd recommend this film to many because it shows how younger people are breaking from religions forced upon them by family/society and are choosing their own paths. I wish that my younger self was as confident to speak my mind as Rúbaí is, and I wish more children had her way of thinking- obviously not as strongly though because at the end of the day there is only so much freedom a child can receive. 2)GUEST The only way I can describe this short film is beautiful. It's brilliant and beautiful in such a disturbing way. There isn't much of an explanation to this film, leaving pretty much everything up to the audience's imagination. The way the camera moves, the control of the senses, it's just amazing. there isn't much to say without spoiling it. Personally, the way I interpret this is mental disorders such as Schitzophrenia, as Mary displays many symptoms of it and the Guest is one of her hallucinations. you can try all you want, but you can't escape the monsters of your own mind. 3)Within Her Eyes I could go on about this for ages. I know practically everything about this short film, not only cause i studied it at gcse but because of how utterly beautiful this piece of art is. How powerful the message it sends out is, despite not having any dialogue. Everything in this is amazing: the features of production, the environments, the films intention and the content itself. The film itself is actually a choreography by James Cousins Company, but it has all the qualities of a film. My favourite thing about this film is the female's lack of contact with the floor.

Captain Fantastic: Issues and Ideologies 1

Which social, personal, religious or political themes and issues are raised and discussed in these scenes? Are there others in the film ? Society disapproves of Ben's teaching methods and the way he raises his children, as it is not what most parents do. In the first scene, the "normal" parents show concern for the children as they are not in an american school. Harper exclaims that Ben's teachings are going "to get them killed", highlighting not only her concern but her lack of understanding for a different way of life. From a more personal perspective, Harper and Jack seemed to be close with the mother before she met Ben, so it is only natural for the two to be concerned for the children's safety as they are a direct connection to their mother. Religion wise, it is stated in the movie that Ben and his family are Buddhist, whilst Harper's family is presumably Christian. Buddhism was not a commonly practised religion as of when the film was set, whilst the majority of America are a variation of Christianity. In regards to politics, Ben raised his children to not be involved in politics, but have the knowledge to rival a politican if needed. Harper and Jack's kids however do not even know the official definition of the Bill of Rights. Other points in the film, especially with the grandparents, it is obvious just how isolated and different the children are from the rest of the world. Are we encouraged through the use of film form ( dialogue, camera shots e.g close ups , and the film's narrative to agree with one side of the discussions and debates more than another ? Regarding use of dialogue, Ben is much calmer and peace keeping than others in the film. Harper's sharp tone when talking about the children indicates that she is possibly on the "wrong" side of the discussions and debates whilst Ben is on the "right" side. Once again in the Bill of Rights scene, Bens interactions with the children are far more gentle than Harper's. Not once does Ben raise his voice, whilst Harper seems to only lower hers when necessary. Does our attitude to Ben and Jack (the grandfather ) and their ideologies and beliefs change during the film ? How and why ? Consider use of narrative events , dialogue, performance and other film form elements like use of close up or mid shots with other characters and how we come to view events and characters from different perspectives. All throughout the film, the audience's attitude to both Ben and Jack switch back and forth from "what he's doing is wrong" to "he's just trying his best". An example of this is how Jack interacts with the children, his intentions seem pure and he appears to only have their best interests at heart- regarding social life and college etc. Yet the way Jack treats Ben throughout the entire film is wrong as it's completely different to how he would treat his daughter and grandchildren. In Ben's case, reacting the way he did when seeing his eldest son's college letters was not the correct response a parent should give their child, but we know that Ben only wants( what he thinks) the best for his children, as they are all he has left.