The Bridge representation Flashcards
(25 cards)
What role do technical codes play in constructing representation in The Bridge?
Close-ups of Saga’s passive facial expression - seen in her taking the lft up to the crime scene.
High-angle shots of characters in isolated settings contribute to representing her as emotionally distant, socially alienated, and intellectually dominant.
This positions audiences to view her as a unique and powerful, yet emotionally complex figure
How do audio codes contribute to representation in The Bridge?
Diegetic sounds such as sparse dialogue and minimal background noise emphasize Saga’s social awkwardness - shown when Saga and Hanne are talking to Helle’s wife.
The non-diegetic suspense music creates tension and melancholy, reinforcing the emotional detachment and darkness of the characters and narrative, aligning with the Nordic Noir aesthetic - seen in the establishing shot of the bridge.
How does iconography in The Bridge help construct representations?
Iconography, particularly in costume, conveys character traits and ideologies.
Saga’s neutral-toned, masculine clothing (e.g. military coat, leather trousers) rejects traditional femininity and represents her as powerful, unconventional, and resistant to gender norms.
How do representations in The Bridge reflect contemporary ideological discourses?
The show engages with feminist discourse, presenting women as active, professional, and central to the narrative. Saga, Hanne, and Lillian subvert patriarchal norms by holding powerful roles, not being sexualised, and defying traditional gender expectations.
How is the representation of gender ideologically significant in The Bridge?
Gender representation in The Bridge challenges historical norms.
Women are not caregivers or defined by relationships; instead, they are depicted as complex individuals.
This reflects evolving societal attitudes toward gender equality and fluidity.
How is masculinity represented in The Bridge?
Masculinity is portrayed in diverse ways. Hans is nurturing and cooperative, not domineering. Henrik is emotionally vulnerable and seen performing domestic tasks. These portrayals challenge traditional male stereotypes and align with evolving gender roles.
How does The Bridge engage with bell hooks’ feminist theory?
The show challenges the ideology of patriarchal domination. Women like Saga and Lillian defy traditional power structures. It reflects feminism as a struggle against sexist oppression and presents a society in transition towards gender equality.
How does Van Zoonen’s feminist theory apply to The Bridge?
Van Zoonen argues gender is culturally constructed.
In The Bridge, gender is fluid and changeable. Saga’s non-conformity and the lack of sexualisation support this, showing women as equal participants in the narrative and not subject to the male gaze.
How does The Bridge resist the male gaze theory?
Saga is never framed sexually. Even when removing her shirt, the reaction is diegetic confusion, not objectification. This resists Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze and aligns with feminist media ideals.
How does Judith Butler’s theory of gender performativity apply to The Bridge?
Butler argues gender is not innate but performed. Saga’s behaviours, clothing, and lack of emotional expression perform a gender identity that resists conventional femininity, questioning fixed gender roles.
How does The Bridge open discourse around gender identity?
Through characters like Helle Anker and moments like Saga introducing “Hen” as a gender-neutral pronoun, the series engages in contemporary debates about gender identity, highlighting progressive and inclusive perspectives.
How are older women represented in The Bridge?
Hanne is a strong, competent detective, represented with authority and respect. Her functional clothing and serious demeanour counter the typical sexualisation or marginalisation of older women in media.
How is the representation of domestic roles subverted in The Bridge?
Men like Henrik are shown nurturing children and doing domestic tasks, while women are in public, authoritative roles. This reversal challenges gender stereotypes and aligns with modern discourses on equality.
What ideological implications does the representation of Helle Anker’s murder have?
Helle Anker, a liberal, LGBT figure, is murdered and displayed in a traditional family pose. This may symbolise a backlash against progressive values, suggesting the persistence of patriarchal resistance in society.
How does The Bridge reflect cultural and social shifts in Scandinavian society?
Through its characters and narratives, the show reflects debates around gender, identity, and political correctness, contrasting Swedish progressivism with Danish pragmatism, as seen in Hanne’s attitude toward gender-neutral pre-schools.
How is humour used in relation to Saga’s representation?
Saga’s literal interpretations and bluntness, like questioning John’s need to leave work for his children, create moments of deadpan humour. This humanises her and adds complexity to her non-normative social behaviour.
How does Saga’s character challenge traditional female roles in crime dramas?
Saga is intellectually dominant, emotionally detached, and physically active. Her representation departs from the typical sexualised or emotional female trope, aligning more closely with the male anti-hero archetype of nordic noir.
What is the significance of minimal mise-en-scène in Saga’s representation?
The sparse settings and muted costumes reflect her internal world: efficient, unemotional, and focused. This minimalist aesthetic reinforces her detachment from social norms and emotional engagement.
How might the establishing shot of the bridge link to representation?
It might be symbolic of transitioning ideologies in terms of gender.
What is the significance of the female discarded dolls in the opening sequence?
Close up shots of discarded female dolls.
Might be symbolic of the show discarding outdated gender stereotypes and ideologies, with more progressive gender representations.
How are we positioned to view existing gender stereotypes as a result of the crime scene itself?
Wide shot of a nuclear family set up with dead body, under spotlights.
Due to this being the scene of a crime, we as an audience are positioned in a way in which we believe that the cementing of nuclear families as the norm is criminal, and wrong.
How does the cut scenes of Saga in the work place, and Hans at home create representation?
We see the woman staying late at the workplace, while the man (her boss) is at home.
This idea is reinforced through lighting, the bright/cold workplace lighting associated with the woman vs the warm/dim/candle lit lighting associated with the man
How does the explosion scene link to representations of gender identity?
Pre-explosion we have an equilibrium of two women working together, an empowered and progressive representation.
Post-explosion, this partnership is torn apart - a disruption to a liberal representation of gender identity as gender expectation is restored through Hanne being replaced by Henrik.
How does the episode represent nordic noir paranoia?
In the middle of the episode, we are introduced to many potential criminals.
For example, Morton (in his shed), Henrik (in low lit spaces, doing drugs etc), the cleaner (dim lit apartment alone, with exotic pets) and Liz Anderson (right-wing mother who rejoices in Helle’s death).
Despite these not all being actual criminals, they are represented I a way in which we suspect them - representative of conventional paranoia in the nordic noir genre.
