1
Exploring films outside of Hollywood
This is paper 2
The film you are studying is
Tsotsi made in 2005 and directed by
Gavin Hood
2
Aims of the exam paperTo have detailed knowledge of the film and it's themes
To have improved textual analysis skills and apply them to the text
To have an understanding of issues of audience and institution in respect of the film
To have increased insight into the context and issues of equality and diversity the film represents
3
Representations and Stereotypes
Every time we watch a film, we are not seeing reality, but someone's version of it.
Representation therefore refers to the construction of ‘reality'
Representation involves analysing how identities are re-presented or rather constructed to communicate a certain meaning
Look at these images and using your
textual analysis skills determine what or
who is being represented, consider
how the representation is
constructed.
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Representations and Stereotypes
Do you
think Tsosti
was
stereotyped
? How and
why?
A stereotype is a commonly held image of a person or group, based on an over simplification of some observed or imagined trait of behaviour or appearance
What did
you think of
Tsotsi
during the
opening of
the film?
How did the
film shape
your initia
l
thoughts of
Tsosti?
Are
stereotypes
in films
useful or
dangerous?
mise-en-scene
camerawork
sound
framing
editing
performance
Representations and StereotypesHood up-connotations for audience.
Stereotypical ‘thug’
Teenager represented as criminal.
Crane shot shows ‘sprawling slum’
Poverty rife-stereotypical view of slums
People represented as being poor.
Using your own version of this sheet, discuss in groups and annotate with notes to show how each of these pictures represent the thing on screen.
In the middle of your paper, write the name Tsotsi.
You will need lots of different ‘bubbles’.
Start with 1 on your initial impressions of Tsotsi using the prompts from the next slide.
Character Analysis: It’s important that you are able to analyse the representation of key characters is the film. For revision purposes let’s stick with Tsotsi.
Save space for other important information on Tsotsi.
Tsotsi
What did you think of Tsotsi during the opening of the film?
How did the film
shape your initial
thoughts of Tsosti?
Do you think Tsosti was stereotyped? How and why?
Initial thoughts
How does his name and initial actions shape your thoughts?
11
Representations and Stereotypes
Do you
think Tsosti
was
stereotyped
? How and
why?
A stereotype is a commonly held image of a person or group, based on an over simplification of some observed or imagined trait of behaviour or appearance
What did
you think of
Tsotsi
during the
opening of
the film?
How did the
film shape
your initia
l
thoughts of
Tsosti?
Are
stereotypes
in films
useful or
dangerous?
mise-en-scene
camerawork
sound
framing
editing
performance
Representations and Stereotypes
Character Analysis: It’s important that you are able to analyse the representation of key characters is the film. For revision purposes let’s stick with Tsotsi.
Introduce
Tsotsi in 2
sentences
Think of a key
scene that
Tsotsi appears
in, a scene that
is important to
the narrative
Use textual
analysis to
discuss the
scene
Why do you think
this scene is
important and/ or
what happens to
Tsotsi as a
consequence of this
scene?
In stories it is often suggested that something significant happens that changesthings for the hero forever – initiating subsequent developments. The mostobvious such ‘agent’ in Tsotsi’s story is the baby but perhaps there are someother more crucial moments in his story that were just as pivotal: as life-changing
Tsotsi
What did you think of Tsotsi during the opening of the film?
How did the film
shape your initial
thoughts of Tsosti?
Do you think Tsosti was stereotyped? How and why?
Initial thoughts
How does his name and initial actions shape your thoughts?
Introduc
e Tsotsi
in 2
sentence
s
Think of a key scene that Tsotsi appears in, a scene that is important to the narrative
Tsotsi in the filmWhy do you think this scene is
important and/ or what happens
to Tsotsi as a consequence of
this scene?
Use textual analysis to discuss the scene
mise-en-sceneperformancecameraworkframingeditingsound
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How far does Tsotsi change over the course of the film?
Describe Tsotsi at the beginning of the film
Describe Tsotsi at the end of the film
Describe some events that may have caused him to change
How far does Tsotsi change over the course of the film?
Consider the list of events below and decide which you feel might have been a major cause of later change. Can you suggest some other events in the film and why they are significant for the development of the story.
1. Totsi stealing the baby.
2. The killing of the old man.
3. Boston’s self-disgust and his needling of Tsotsi leading to the fight.
4. The sight of Boston’s swollen, infected face.
5. The conversation with Morris – the crippled beggar, underneath the flyover.
6. The first rejection of Aap.
7. The second rejection of Aap – when they are in the hijacked car chopshop.
8. The dream of his mother.
9. Miriam and her home in the township. Her tale of her husband’s death teaches Tsotsi something about his own crimes.
10. The memory of his father’s brutality triggered when visiting Miriam.
11. The burglary of the baby’s home and in particular time spent in the baby’s bedroom.
12. Butcher’s discovery of the gun and threatening of John Dube – the father.
Tsotsi
What did you think of Tsotsi during the opening of the film?
How did the film
shape your initial
thoughts of Tsosti?
Do you think Tsosti was stereotyped? How and why?
Initial thoughts
How does his name and initial actions shape your thoughts?
Introduc
e Tsotsi
in 2
sentence
s
Think of a key scene that Tsotsi appears in, a scene that is important to the narrative
Tsotsi in the filmWhy do you think this scene is
important and/ or what happens
to Tsotsi as a consequence of
this scene?
Use textual analysis to discuss the scene
mise-en-sceneperformancecameraworkframingeditingsound
How Tsotsi changes & why
What is he
like at the
end of the
film?
What actions towards the end of the film show that he has changed?
What do
we see or
hear on
screen
that tell
us he has
changed?
What scene/s are key in his
change as a person? Refer to
the list and include notes about
how and why he changes.
Tsotsi
What did you think of Tsotsi during the opening of the film?
How did the film
shape your initial
thoughts of Tsosti?
Do you think Tsosti was stereotyped? How and why?
Initial thoughts
How does his name and initial actions shape your thoughts?
Introduc
e Tsotsi
in 2
sentence
s
Think of a key scene that Tsotsi appears in, a scene that is important to the narrative
Tsotsi in the filmWhy do you think this scene is
important and/ or what happens
to Tsotsi as a consequence of
this scene?
Use textual analysis to discuss the scene
mise-en-sceneperformancecameraworkframingeditingsound
How Tsotsi changes & why
What is he
like at the
end of the
film?
What actions towards the end of the film show that he has changed?
What do
we see or
hear on
screen
that tell
us he has
changed?
What scene/s are key in his
change as a person? Refer to
the list and include notes about
how and why he changes.
Leave space for work on key themes in later lesson.
To begin the lesson:
Write their names down next to their faces on your character sheet.
Can you name the characters in the film Tsotsi?
Morris
David(Tsotsi)
Die Aap
John Dube
Boston
Pumla Dube
Captain Smit
Butcher
Fela Ndlovu
Miriam
Inspector Zuma
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What do you know about Tsotsi?
Tsotsi is an extraordinary film by director Gavin Hood that manages to map some of the huge contrasts in modern South Africa - its affluence and grinding poverty, its haves and have-nots, its energy and optimism alongside the disease, addiction and crime that blights so many lives.
Hood’s film is an updated adaptation of a 1960s novella by eminent South African playwright Athol Fugard, in which the protagonist’s first-person account gives the reader insights into the Tsotsi’s origins and motivations. At a time when so many in South Africa live in fear of random-seeming violence inflicted by so called ‘feral’ young people, this film is a compelling attempt to delve beneath the statistics of modern-day crime – to put an unsentimental but human face on actions that otherwise might seem utterly inexplicable and monstrous.
Tsotsi as a film encourages empathy and develops your understanding of contemporary global issues – the disparities between wealth and poverty and the implications for society when so many are robbed of their childhoods. It is a film about chance, about opportunity and choice.
THEMES?
MESSAGES?
REPRESENTATIONS?
BASED ON REALITY?
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What do you know about South Africa?
• Over half the population lives below the poverty line – many on just a $1 a day.
• A quarter of the population is unemployed.• More than a fifth (21%) of the adult population is infected
with HIV/Aids and thousands of children grow up orphaned due to the premature deaths of their parents.
• Despite a rapid house-building programme over the last decade it still has many of its people living in shantytowns and squatter camps in shelters constructed from scavenged scrap.
• Violent crime, though falling, still costs the lives of over 20,000 people a year - and armed-robbery, car-jacking, rape and aggravated burglary are the stuff of everyday anecdote.
Some or all of these are the painful legacies of 50 years of racism, discrimination and neglect and also of the miseries in many other parts of Africa - that make South Africa an incredible melting-pot of nationalities and cultures.
South Africa & Tsotsi
Poverty
Novel
Crime
Key influences
South Africa
Apartheid
How does the film Tsotsi represent South Africa?
What impression of the country do you receive and what clues are there in it about the lives of ordinary people living there?
The evidence of poverty and affluence – consider the logo on Pumla Dube’s shopping bag that Tsotsi steals to carry the baby off in – ‘Expect More’.
The evidence of pollution
The evidence that South Africa’s capital Johannesburg and its townships are lively, energetic, bustling places.
The prominence of crime and violence and the response of the police tocrime and criminals – however young.
The evidence of disease – particularly HIV/Aids (clue: look out for posters and also Tsotsi’s flashback memories of his mother)
Evidence of mixed communities or highly segregated communities(apart from the one white policeman – why is there so little evidence of white people in this film – crossing Tsotsi’s path?)
The evidence of strong cultural/artistic forces at work in the townships(clue: consider the language, music and even the colourful fabrics and hanging glass and metal mobiles that Miriam produces in her home tohelp make ends meet.)
South Africa & Tsotsi
Poverty
Novel
Crime
Key influences
South Africa
Apartheid
Representa
tion of
South
Africa
Pollution
Townships vs. Johannesburg
Culture: music, art, fashion
Illness &
disease
Poverty vs. affluence
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Representations
GENDER
AGESOCIAL CLASS
Choose a key sequence and explore how one of the following is represented in it
Remember representation is construction
South Africa & Tsotsi
Poverty
Novel
Crime
Key influences
South Africa
Apartheid
Representa
tion of
South
Africa
Pollution
Townships vs. Johannesburg
Culture: music, art, fashion
Illness &
disease
Poverty vs. affluence
Representation in general
Gender
Class & society (race?)
Age
Police and criminals
Haves and
have nots
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Settings and locations in Tsotsi
Name a setting in the film
Describe what it looks like
What does the setting suggest to audiences?
How does one of the settings relate to the theme or issue you discussed?
South Africa & Tsotsi
Poverty
Novel
Crime
Key influences
South Africa
Apartheid
Representa
tion of
South
Africa
Pollution
Townships vs. Johannesburg
Culture: music, art, fashion
Illness &
disease
Poverty vs. affluence
Representation in general
Settings and locations
Gender
Class & society (race?)
Age
Police and criminals
Haves and
have nots
Name at
LEAST 3
settings
Describe what they look like
What do these
locations
suggest to the
audience?
How do they relate to the issues in the film? Link to representation, themes and issues.
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THEMES
Definition:
A theme is the main IDEA behind the film. (Not the story!)
Definition:
It can also be described as the moral of the story. It is the life-
lesson that the main person who made the film wants you to learn. It is the main message or meaning
behind the film.
LO: To be able to identify themes in a superhero film
Definition:
Not just a lesson for the characters, but also for us watching.
A subject is NOT a theme
A theme is not a thing or an object.
A theme is an idea, a thought or a neat way of describing a lesson for a character or the story.
A theme is an opinion of an idea
It is also YOUR idea, an opinion. One person might see a different theme to you.
It should be your own idea. Not something that everyone already knows.
Watch this Simpsons episodeNow, what happens in the episode? Try to sum it up in no more than 3 sentences.
Then, what is one of the most important things that happens to one of the characters?
Now, what do you think you learnt because of what that character did?
Finally, could you write that as one sentence? Remember, try to describe it as something that anyone could use a lesson, or something to learn from.
Now that you can ‘see’ a theme…
What themes are present in Tsotsi?Can they be summed
up in memorable, simple ways that you can easily remember?
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Themes and issues
Describe what the film says about a theme or issue
How is the film of issue explored in a key sequence?
South Africa & Tsotsi
Poverty
Novel
Crime
Key influences
South Africa
Apartheid
Representa
tion of
South
Africa
Pollution
Townships vs. Johannesburg
Culture: music, art, fashion
Illness &
disease
Poverty vs. affluence
Representation in general
Settings & locations
Gender
Class & society (race?)
Age
Police and criminals
Haves and
have nots
Name at
LEAST 3
settings
Describe what they look like
What do these
locations
suggest to the
audience?
How do they relate to the issues in the film? Link to representation, themes and issues.
Themes & issues
Name at LEAST 3 themes or issues
Describe where these themes or issues are seen. Explain how
these themes
or issues are
shown in at
least 1 scene
for each.
Write down 3 facts about each character
in Tsotsi.These could be facts about what they do in the film or facts
about what they are like as people.
Morris
Tsotsi
Die Aap
John Dube
Boston
Pumla Dube
Captain Smit
Butcher
Fela Ndlovu
Miriam
Inspector Zuma
80
Tsotsi – the closing scene
Were you happy with the ending of the film?
What is the message at the end?
What do you think will happen to Tsotsi?
How would you have ended the film?
81
Micro Features and their effect
Technique Example EffectCinematography, costume and music
Warm golden colours used to show shanty town (aided by brightly coloured African clothing worn, upbeat Kwaito music played)
Shows that although it is poor it is also a vibrant, colourful place that the characters call ‘home’. (However at night it becomes more sinister.)
Camera shots:High Angle and Wide Shot and/or Crane shots
Often used to show the shantytown where Tsotsi lives – rows of makeshift houses and when policemen find Tsotsi’s abandons the car on highway.
Emphasises the size of the slum. It is sprawling – we see the magnitude of poverty. His story is just one of many. It also makes it hard for the police to find criminals – they become invisible in the masses.
Camera shots:Film uses a lot ofWide Shots held for a long time (alternated with Close Ups to show Tsotsi’s face)
Tsotsi walking on tracks, Tsotsi and gang melting into the crowd in the railway station, The pipes in the flashbackTsotsi under bridge with Morris, etc
Two things:1. Seems stage like – Tsotsi is a
character in morality play – he has to go through certain episodes and learn and grow.
2. Shows how the characters lives are intertwined with their setting – eg Tsotsi’s life would be different if he did not grow up poor/orphaned by AIDS/ in Soweto’s township
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Micro Features and their effect
Technique Example EffectMise-en-scene Tsotsi’s corrugated iron hut is
stacked with stolen audio-visual equipment
Setting reveals character’s history – life of crime but also practice in townships of ‘making do’- Illegal connection to mains power when he puts on music.
Contrast in lighting Warm, earthy colours used for township v. cool, sterile lighting used to show train station, hospital
Emphasises the difference in the ‘two worlds’ in South Africa. We see the gap between rich and poor more clearly. The new black middle class (John and Pumla) have access to electricity, clean surroundings, modern amenities. Poor must make do with dirt floors, no running water.
Contrast in Mise-en-scene Water pump, use of wooden boxes as makeshift furniture, houses made from scrap timber in the shanty town. This contrasts with a high-tech security system, high iron gates, spacious modern home with luxurious furnishings.
Same as above
83
Micro Features and their effect
Technique Example EffectMise-en-scene Colourful pastel mural of African
plains with animals in baby’s room
Shows the ‘myth’ of South Africa that foreigners come to see - the savannah, the wildlife. The reality that people want to ignore is the poverty.
Music / Soundtrack Booming Kwaito music (modern South African music with hip-hop beat, strong bass line and spoken lyrics) used when Tsotsi and his gang walk through township and in Soekie’s bar where the boys fight.
Creates mood – suggests their tough natures. Music brings to mind US gangster rap – we think youth gangs, crime, feeling angry / estranged from society, violence.
Sound effects Use of ‘snake rattle’ sound effect when Tsotsi is following Morris and Miriam
Creates sense of fear and suspense. Highlights the sense of J’burg as dangerous/crime-ridden. Audience fears for the ‘victim’ – suggests predator is stalking his prey.
84
Creative response to Tsotsi
In the exam the last question will allow you to show your knowledge and understanding of the ways in which Tsotsi communicates all the issues and ideas that you have explored and discussed in class, in a creative way. You may be asked to:
Write a review for a specific target audience
Create a poster
Design a webpage
Produce a blog
Whatever task you are given, it is important that you include a consideration of performance, issues and themes, people and places and combine these with your personal response to the film.
85
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
1. (a) Name and briefly describe the main character from your close study film. (2)
(b) Say why you think this character is the main character. (3)
( c ) Choose another character who is in conflict with the main character. How does the film show this conflict? (5)
Total=10 Marks
86
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
1. (a) Name and briefly describe the main character from your close study film. (2)
(b) Say why you think this character is the main character. (3)
( c ) Choose another character who is in conflict with the main character. How does the film show this conflict? (5)
Total=10 Marks
Make sure you spell their name correctly!
Briefly describe who the character is – including personality and appearance.
87
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
1. (a) Name and briefly describe the main character from your close study film. (2)
(b) Say why you think this character is the main character. (3)
( c ) Choose another character who is in conflict with the main character. How does the film show this conflict? (5)
Total=10 Marks
Is it their story? How do they drive the story? Do they raise any important issues or themes?
88
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
1. (a) Name and briefly describe the main character from your close study film. (2)
(b) Say why you think this character is the main character. (3)
( c ) Choose another character who is in conflict with the main character. How does the film show this conflict? (5)
Total=10 Marks
For this you will need to use film language as well as dialogue and representation.
Make sure you name them correctly, including spellings.
Think carefully about the kinds of conflict involved in your film. Choose a character you know well who suits the question.
How are the differences or oppositions shown in the film?
89
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
2 (a) Identify one key theme or issue your chosen film raises. (2)
(b) Briefly summarise what the film suggests about the theme or issue. (6)
( c ) Choose one important sequence from your close study film. Explore how the film represents its key theme or issue. (12)
In your answer you may wish to refer to the role of one or two of the following:
Mise-en-scene
Camera shots and movement
Editing
SoundTotal=20 Marks
90
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
2 (a) Identify one key theme or issue your chosen film raises. (2)
(b) Briefly summarise what the film suggests about the theme or issue. (6)
( c ) Choose one important sequence from your close study film. Explore how the film represents its key theme or issue. (12)
In your answer you may wish to refer to the role of one or two of the following:
Mise-en-scene
Camera shots and movement
Editing
SoundTotal=20 Marks
Think carefully before you choose your theme or issue; make sure that it is one that you can write about in detail.
91
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
2 (a) Identify one key theme or issue your chosen film raises. (2)
(b) Briefly summarise what the film suggests about the theme or issue. (6)
( c ) Choose one important sequence from your close study film. Explore how the film represents its key theme or issue. (12)
In your answer you may wish to refer to the role of one or two of the following:
Mise-en-scene
Camera shots and movement
Editing
SoundTotal=20 Marks
Remember that your film may have explored a theme or issue in several ways and that different audiences may respond differently to these.
92
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
3. Write either a blog entry or an internet film review focusing on why you think people should go and see your close study film. Include some of the following:
Camera work or visual style.
Music or or sound.
Performances or characters.
How it compares with other films you have seen.
Any other aspects that you found interesting.
Total=20 Marks
93
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
3. Write either a blog entry or an internet film review focusing on why you think people should go and see your close study film. Include some of the following:
Camera work or visual style.
Music or or sound.
Performances or characters.
How it compares with other films you have seen.
Any other aspects that you found interesting.
Total=20 Marks
How to start:
In this blog post I will…I recently saw the South African film Tsotsi and…On my blog today I want to tell you about…
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Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
Question 3 will always be a creative response. This means that you will have to create something and be expected to use your film for the answer.
This creative response is likely to be a written one, unlike the response on paper 1.
In previous years the creative response has been to write a blog, an internet review, an article for a school magazine, a review for a newspaper and a feature to be read out on radio.
Total=20 Marks
95
Paper 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood
Format
Important, but not crucial. You are being marked on the content, NOT how it looks, but a newspaper review will
Layout
Potentially quite important, but again, not crucial. You may want to include the name of the person speaking when writing a ‘script’ for example, or add in a space where a clip from the film could be played.
Audience
Vital. Firstly look carefully at what you are being asked to write and decide who would read/watch/listen. Then you can begin to plan and think carefully about the sort of language you might use. For example, a newspaper article would be much more formal and go into a lot more detail than a blog post or feature for school magazine.
Purpose
Crucial. What are you being asked to write? Why are you being asked to write it? To entertain? To inform? To convince? Your language and content will depend on your purpose. Make sure that you know what this is before you start writing.
Pro-tips
Paper 2: Films outside Hollywood
Context is key-the paper is about non-US film and you’ll need to explain why that’s important for your film-it’s set in South Africa and this is important.
Basic information is important-Showing an understanding of South Africa will show that you know the text and why it’s important. Also allows you to provide background to the film in your creative question.
Detailed information is useful-you can drop this into the last question and could allow you to show off and differentiate yourself from other candidates.
Paper 2: Films outside Hollywood
Know your themes-You need to be able to explain what themes are in the film and be able to write about one if it comes up on the exam paper. Don’t know what themes are in Tsotsi? REVISE! Use the sheet from last week!
Always write a technical analysis-If something is good or bad, explain why with technical information. This is a film studies exam, show that you know about film.
Don’t simple retell information-yes, you need to show that you know about Tsotsi, but don’t simply retell the story. Explain your feelings, ideas and the film way that the film deals with these.
Paper 2: Films outside Hollywood
Character analysis-look at what you’re being asked and show off with it the question. You have (probably) already been asked about a character, write about another if you can. This is a review, who was your favourite character? Why? (remember, not just a retelling, explain your opinion)
Be personal-this is your chance to explain YOUR opinion. There is no right and wrong here, just a chance for your to explain what you feel about the film. The key thing is WHY. Show off, display your knowledge, explain that your opinion is ‘correct’ because you can link it to the technical analysis that you can do.
100
Plan a creative response to Tsotsi
Write a review for a specific target audience
Plan an outline for a review based on what you’ve discussed this morning. Some pointers to use:
What would your introductory paragraph be about?
How can you then begin to get your opinion across?
Remember to get in those detailed points about the film.
Link the task to your own opinion and technical anaylsis.
What’s the best way to end a review?