Section C - British Film: This Is England (Meadows, 2006)

Question 1

Define

Temporal Duration

Answer 1

How long story goes on for uninterrupted

Question 2

Define

Ellipsis (in film)

Answer 2

Paused created by editing transition

Question 3

Define

Framing narrative

Answer 3

Smaller stories within a narrative

Question 4

What is the difference between story and plot?

Answer 4

Story = series of events recorded in chronological order

Plot = series of events deliberately arranged in an order to create significance

Question 5

Define

Falklands War

Answer 5

10 week war between Britain & Argentina over Falkland islands

Question 6

How does the Falklands War relate to This Is England?

Answer 6

War of ownership and belonging (film’s themes)
Shaun’s dad died in war
Combo and Nationalists see it as pointless - government focusing elsewhere, not in own country

Question 7

Define

Thatcherism

Answer 7

Policies brought in by Thatcher, including privatising industries

Question 8

How does Thatcherism relate to This Is England?

Answer 8

Industries no longer needed
Less jobs in the North
3.5 mil unemployed

Question 9

Define

Subculture

Answer 9

Cultural group within a larger culture

Has seperate interests and beliefs

Question 10

How does the idea of subculture relate to This Is England?

Answer 10

Skinhead subculture: Shaun wants to join Woody’s gang

All 80s subcultures = rebellion

Question 11

Define

Dependency culture

Answer 11

Way of life characterised by depending on state benefits

Question 12

How does the idea of dependency culture relate to This Is England?

Answer 12

Majority of characters unemployed

No income, relying on state benefits

Question 13

Define

Society

Answer 13

People living together in a relatively ordered community

Question 14

How does the idea of society relate to This Is England?

Answer 14

Society basically gone, divided into subcultures and ethnic groups

Question 15

Define

Social realist aesthetic

Answer 15

Art movement drawing attention to everyday conditions of working class and the poor

Question 16

How does a social realist aesthetic relate to This Is England and Fish Tank?

Answer 16

Independent British films tend to be gritty, relatable and show truth

Question 17

Define

The Bourgeoisie

Answer 17

Small section of society that owns most of the wealth

Question 18

How does the idea of the bourgeoisie relate to This Is England and Fish Tank?

Answer 18

Government & company owners unseen in ‘This Is England’ and ‘Fish Tank’

Question 19

Define

The Proletariat

Answer 19

Majority of the population who own little and are exploited

Question 20

CINEMATOGRAPHY
How are big close-ups used to create meaning?

This Is England

Answer 20

Used sparingly and powerfully
Combo & Shaun’s in car - growing intimacy between them, relationship getting closer
Combo is grooming Shaun to join right-wing nationalism

Question 21

MISE-EN-SCENE
How is the St. George’s cross used to create meaning?

This Is England

Answer 21

Prop illustrates Shaun’s engagement with nationalism
Steals one and gives it to Combo to show his loyalty to the National Front
It goes into Combo’s flat as a centerpiece - oversees Milky’s assault
Shaun throws it into ocean at end of film

Question 22

MISE-EN-SCENE
How is the the idea of a uniform used to create meaning?

This Is England

Answer 22

Skinhead uniform - bonds of gang members.
Shave Shaun’s head, give him the shirt - accept him as one of their own
Combo gives him a coat when he joins National Front; accepting him into their gang

Question 23

MISE-EN-SCENE
How is graffiti used to create meaning?

This Is England

Answer 23

Political views of neighbourhood: “Maggie is a twat”. Clearly against conservative government & Thatcherism

When National Front spray paints side of the Mr Sandhu’s shop:
Shaun’s innocence - spray paints own name
Combo’s gang uneducated - ‘Nashnil Front’

Question 24

EDITING
How are montages used to create meaning?

This Is England

Answer 24

3 montages = each stage in Shaun’s journey
First = extreme long shots, mute colours, convey Shaun’s isolation
Second = Woody’s gang dressed colourfully, upbeat music (Louie Louie). Happy, fun
Third = ‘trained’ by Combo -> racist. St George’s cross superimposed on top

Question 25

EDITING How is archive footage used to create meaning? This Is England

Answer 25

Opens film - sets scene for narrative Social & political context - Thatcher, Falklands War Spectator draws ideological parallels between this & events in Shaun's life

Question 26

IDEOLOGY | What are the five levels of Maslow's Hierarchy?

Answer 26

``` 1 = Physiological needs (food, water, shelter, clothes, sleep) 2 = Safety & security (health, employments, property, family/social stability) 3 = Love & belonging (friendship, family, intimacy, sense of connection) 4 = Self-esteem (confidence, achievement, respect of others, need to be unique) 5 = Self-actualisation (morality, creativity, purpose, acceptance) ```

Question 27

IDEOLOGY | How does the idea of Maslow's Hierarchy relate to This Is England?

Answer 27

Shaun starts at 2nd level - has food, clothes, shelter and a house, but nothing else (alone at school) Joins skinheads - moves onto 3rd or 4th level End - moves back to where he was. Potentially lost it all

Question 28

Which type of film is 'This Is England' (in terms of ideology)?

Answer 28

Type 3: seems to be fully against nationalism, yet sympathises with Combo. We learn he may be attacking others due to coming from a broken family

Question 29

Define Syd Field - 3 Act Structure

Answer 29

Act 1: Set up established. Eng of act = change in film's direction Act 2: Confrontation. Protagonist faces series of challenges. End of act signalled by 1 huge final problem Act 3: All plots and subplots resolved

Question 30

How does 'This Is England' relate to Syd Field's 3 Act Structure?

Answer 30

Act 1: Start -> Combo crashes party Act 2: National Front -> Milky's attack Act 3: Post attack -> end

Question 31

Define Todorov's Theory of Narrative

Answer 31

Equilibrium - protagonist & antagonist's conflicting desires in balance Disruption to equilibrium Quest - seek to rectify the disruption New equilibrium - protagonist & antagonist's conflicting desires in balance, but everything has changed

Question 32

How does 'This Is England' relate to Todorov's Theory of Narrative?

Answer 32

Equilibrium - Shaun & skinheads hanging out Disruption - Combo crashes party Quest - Shaun joins National Front, skinheads try to talk him out of it New equilibrium - Post Milky's assault