HARRY BROWN; British Realism Example 2

                          
Harry Brown
British, 2009
Directed by: Daniel Barber
Starring: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer and David Bradley


Premiering on the 12th of September, 2009, at Toronto International Film Festival, Harry Brown tells the tale of an ex-serviceman who's bent on revenge and justice after his friend was killed by a local gang on an estate in what we presume is London. Winning the Empire award for 'Best British Film'  and being nominated for a further two awards, Harry Brown uses a mixture of gritty realism and empathy towards the protagonist to create a brutally but exceptionally made film showing a man who's justice he had to get himself.


Themes within the film that relate to the genre:

• Social issues, especially violence/use of weapons and drug use
• Working class characters
• Urban council estate setting
• Theme of hopelessness in the fact that Harry Brown is not given justice by the people who should have provided it (the police) and is not given much aid in catching the gang members/bringing justice. 
• Realistic actions and outcomes
• Somber resolution
• Gritty/mature themes
• No non-diegetic music/ focus uopn speech 

FISH TANK; British Realism Example 1

Fish Tank
British, 2009.
Directed by: Andrea Arnold
Starring: Katie Jarvis, Michael Fassbender and Kierston Wareing

Released on the 14 May 2009 at the Cannes Film Festival in France, 'Fish Tank'  went on to win 18 filmic awards including 'Jury Prize' at the Cannes itself, 'Outstanding British Film' at the BAFTA's, 'Best Director' and 'Most Promising Newcomer' at the British Independant Awards, nominated for a 22 awards overall. Centered around troubled teen 'Mia', the film follows how her life changes when a new boyfriend of her mum comes into her life.

Themes within the film that relate to the genre:

• Troubled protagonist 'Mia'
• Set in urban council estate landscape
• Theme of hope/hopelessness within the protagonist
• Realistic situations/outcomes
• Resolution is not happy and euphoric 
• Protagonist played by previously unknown actor, only one star 'Michael Fassbender'
• Social issues exposed including alcohol, teens thrown out of school and domestic abuse
• Working class characters

GENRE

For my short film/film extract I have chosen the genre of 'British/Social Realism' to use to reference from and base my own work around. This genre is key to exploring and exhibiting true British culture. Usually made as independent films, or funded by British Film companies such as 'Film4', they tend to work on a small budget, relying especially on the actors/actresses performances and their 'true-to-life' plots and story-lines. More often than not they're targeted at an older audience with mature themes and real life situations. 


Conventions of this genre include:

• Realistic and believable plots and story-lines.
• Believable and realistic actions by the characters (they're unlikely to do something strange or less believable just to move the story along as they may do in other film genres like 'action'.)
• Gritty/mature themes often exposing faults in certain parts of society. 
• Usually takes place in an Urban landscape, more often than not council estates.
• Working class characters.
• Often troubled or confused characters, socially rejected. Can have problems with alcohol, drugs, domestic abuse, violence in general.
• No overly complex filming. A lot of long tracking shots focused upon one character. Straight angle shots, almost as if the characters are being followed by the camera; more realistic, as if the audience is following a real person rather than watching a character in a film.
• More diegetic sound than non-diegetic. Focus upon characters dialogue/ real life interactions. Again makes the film more realistic, bringing the audience into the film.
• Theme/underlying issue of hope/hopelessness.  
• Somber resolution/not overly positive   

FM3 CREATIVE PROJECT

The creative project is worth 60 marks, the small scale research unit is worth 40 marks.

• Aims and context - required for assessment 
• Creative product - 45 marks
• Evaluation - 15 marks

Develop an extended sequence from an imagined feature


Or;


Develop a complete short film between 3 and 5 minutes.