The Bridge - Representation - Component 2 Flashcards
1
Q
What is the Bridge?
A
- The bridge is a tv crime drama that is of Swedish/danish co production
- The series opens in a brooding manner when a female body is found on a construction site in malmo sweden, posed in a table representing a traditional family
- Saga is assigned to the case together with a Copenhagen police officer hanne thomsen, who is hostile towards saga due to her role in the incarceration of martin Rhode
2
Q
Where is the Bridge set?
A
- The bridge was set in both Sweden and den,ark
3
Q
What do the characters in Nordic noir all have in common?
A
4
Q
How is Saga represented?
A
- Saga noren is a ruthless detective who abides the law and remains loyal to ethics when it comes to police work.
- Socially challenged due to the character being represented as high functioning autistic.
- Therefore, struggles to work and converse with others.
5
Q
How is Hans represented?
A
- Hans is a sympathetic boss towards Saga, he feels sympathy and frustration towards Saga’s unsociable demeanor.
- Has to coincide with his wife Lillian who is of similar ranking to him, yet in Copenhagen.
- Emasculated
6
Q
How is Lilian represented?
A
- Hanne is a well-respected and experienced police detective based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- She is disheartened when asked by her boss to travel to Malmo, Sweden to assist Saga Noren.
- From their first meeting hostilities begin to mount with
- Hanne showing her prejudice and disrespect for Swedish political correctness.
7
Q
What are typical stereotypes of Sweden and Denmark and Does the bridge conform to or break these stereotypes?
A
SWEDEN:
- The country leads in equality between the sexes.
- Swedes are accustomed to the cold and dark.
- All Swedes are blue-eyed blondes
- Swedes are unemotional
- Depression is diagnosed in high numbers.
DENMARK:
- Danish are difficult to approach due to their ‘tough’ exterior.
- Most likely to conform to traditional ideologies and reluctant to accept contemporary ideas.
- This is justified via Hanne who completely dismisses the idea of non-binary gender identities.
8
Q
Does the bridge conform to the typical stereotypes of Sweden and Denmark?
A
- The Bridge follows a fine balance between adopting the stereotypes as well as subverting them.
- Nordic Noir conventions align with the stereotypes of Sweden such as coldness, dreary and darkness,
- As well as depression and a great surge in equality.
- Women of higher authority outnumber men
- However the serial is written by men and the female characters persona all bare some troubling personal issues.
- Are they being punished for their empowerment and oppression of patriarchy?
9
Q
How is the representation of saga constructed within the bridge though her costume and mise en scene?
A
- Saga’s is seen wearing a khaki trench goat and a grey top
- Also she is seen wearing “tough” leather boots, which conveys connotations of androgyny.
- Saga does not fully embrace feminine stereotypes
- She is represented as wearing no make-up and she has a large scar on her face – conventionally masculine and connotes violence.
10
Q
How is the representation of saga constructed within the bridge through technical codes?
A
- Numerous close up shots and over the shoulder shots of Saga, which imply mystery and something hidden.
- lacks the openness of traditional ‘feminine’ representations.
- Audio codes of her dialogue delivery is clipped and precise and she uses words only when required, resulting in the representation of the strong, ‘’silent type’.
11
Q
What is david gaunlett’s theory of identity?
A
- David gauntlet’s theory is the idea that media products provide us with the tools and resources that we draw upon as we set about the task of constructing our identities?
12
Q
How might audiences interact with the representations of Saga?
A
- Audiences are likely going to identify with sagas passion and commitment to abiding by the law and remaining loyal to a code of ethics
- This may align with audiences own personal ethos and strong values
- She also serves as a role model for the demographic audience who are autistic, this is a refreshing characterisation as characters with disabilities is often an underrepresentation in television
13
Q
How is bell hooks’ feminist theory challenged in the bridge?
A
- Bell hook’s is the theory that “race and class as well as sex determine the extent to which individuals are exploited, discriminated against or oppressed,
- This text challenges the ideology and the notion of patriarchal oppression to a great extent, historical and political contexts are challenged as the role and representation of women within the police force challenges the patriarchal norm
- Saga and Hanne are officers and Lilian is the Danish police commissioner in the Copenhagen
14
Q
Apply the different feminist approaches to the bridge, liberal, radical, socialist?
A
LIBERAL
- Representation of women has improved as ideology has changed
- Representations reflect more liberal ideologies and attitudes to gender and sex in Scandinavia
- Women are not marginalised but are central to the narrative and hold positions of authority
RADICAL
- Gender roles are challenged and characters respect them but when patricahy is challenged it destroys men,
- The text is also written by men so many may logically have a patriarchal view point
SOCIALIST:
- The super wormen figure is middle class lise, wife of a rich man which implies that women may still be reliant on males functionality
- Her attitude is right wing rather than socialist and portrayed negatively
15
Q
How is the representation of saga constructed within the bridge through her performance?
A
- Saga is constructed as the active protagonist – moves all the time and is perceptive to gathering evidence for the criminal investigation.
- She embraces contemporary feminine attributes. Intelligence, independence, brave and empowered.
‘- Masculine’ stance and walk.
- She is represented as androgynous and assertive where she utilizes direct questioning and challenges her superior Hans for his tardiness.
