FS5

The Exam is 1 ½ hours longYou will need to answer 1 question

from section A (Mr A-J) and 1 from Section B (Ms R)

Section A = 30 marks (50 min)Section B = 20 Marks (40 Min)

This unit asks you to analyse the characteristic features of cinema.

1. The ability to recognise the significant ways in which the films you study are similar to and different from Mainstream Hollywood type films.

2. The ability to place the films you study into a wider context of the developments and changes that have occurred within film history

3. The ability to present a personal voice when analysing films from World Cinema and reflect on the challenges these types of films may present to your viewing.

This section asks you to focus on 1 film example (City of God) from contemporary world cinema.

The focus of your preparation for this part of the exam will be the close textual features of your film. i.e. the way in which micro and macro features create meaning and response.

You should consider carefully how thematic and representational features are generated through textual elements.

The social/political/historical context of your film should also be identified along with their influence on the style, structure and content of the film.

You will have a choice of 3 questions.There will be 2 generic questions and

1 film specific question to choose from

You must only answer 1 of these questions

Representation is constructed through textual elements and informed by the context of a film’s production.

You will need to give detailed consideration to the way in which cinematography, mise-en-scene, sound and editing function to create representational meaning.

Consider what the film says about gender, race, nationality, age and sexuality. These messages will have been relayed to the audience via textual choices.

Once you have identified what you consider to be the film’s main representational depictions you will need to discuss what the nature of these is.

Are the groups represented in a way that seems to conform to the dominant social attitudes of the time in which the film was made, or do they seem to challenge dominant ideologies?

1. Choose a scene from City of God.2. Identify the particular features of

cinematography, mise-en-scene, sound and editing that seem to be attached to particular characters or groups of characters.

3. Make notes on the way in which the textual features in this scene seem to be guiding the viewer towards a particular response to the character or group

4. Make notes on the relationship between attitudes expressed about particular groups in the scene and what you understand to be dominant social attitudes.

5. Does this scene seem to be reinforcing these dominant social opinions or challenging them?

As you already know from AS (and A2) studies, a film is a product not merely of its director cast and crew. The look and content are also influenced by audience expectations and ideas that were circulating at the time the film was produced.

City of god was made at a particular point in history and in a particular national (and social) context.

Consider what this film is indicating about the politics and social opinions that surrounded its production

The discussion of social and political issues might be explicit, delivered through the dialogue of certain characters; but they might me implicit delivered through the construction of character, the mise-en-scene, the narrative pattern and even the cinematography.

A particular attitude towards a social group might also be apparent in the film; you should extend your comments beyond representation of social groups to the representation of social issues and ideological standpoints.

Does the film challenge or support the social attitudes or opinions held by the majority of society?

Make notes on your own responses to the messages that are apparent in the film. You may have sympathy with the standpoints that are being taken, or your thoughts and ideas may be opposed to those of the text. The dialogue between the messages of your chosen film and your own attitudes is an important aspect of your discussions in the exam.

1. Make a list of all the questions City of God seems to be asking. These might be questions about events, social groups, political stances or social assumptions.

2. Make notes on what you consider to be the films’ answers to these questions.

3. With a partner discuss what your own responses are to the questions and answers that you have identified.

Audience Reception

The most straightforward kind of audience reception you can evaluate is that of other members of your FS class, who are studying the film.

The Internet will also give you access to a wealth of audience comment and review. You must remember to focus on how the film was received when it was first shown in its native country of origin.

Audience reception contd.

Box office figures will also be good to know. Make notes on countries where the film was more successful than others.

Audience Questions

What did the film tell you about the country in which it was set?

What would you consider to be the main message of the film?

What do you know of the film’s director? Could you sense any signature characteristics within this film and others by the same director you know about?

Did you feel that the film showed any genre characteristics?

Did you feel the film was accessible to you, given the frame of reference related to a different country?

Critical reception

It is important to consider the critical reception of your film that you cover a range of views and critics’ opinions. You might find that the majority agree on a response however there may be some who offer widely differing opinions. Don’t limit your search to English - You may for example find a Brazilian review (Internet programs can translate these)

Things to look for in critical reception

Features that are discussedThematic elements discussed Information concerning director and

other workContext of film’s release in terms of

institutional issuesAny comments regarding

social/ideological context in which the film was released

Sample generic questions To what extent do you think your chosen

film challenges audience’s preconceptions about particular social groups?

What do you consider to be the most distinctive features of your chosen film?

Have critical reviews you have read about your chosen film confirmed or challenged your reading of the film?

Do you think it is necessary to locate your chosen film within its social and political context in order to appreciate the film fully?