ISP Week 17: Recap questions and Hollywood research

Week 17 ISP: Pan’s Labyrinth and British film questions.

1. Explore the use of performance in ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (10 marks)- Pale man sequence 

In terms of performance within the Pale man sequence of Pan’s labyrinth, the pale man is presented as a repulsive and intimidating character as we see him take in a deep breath after being awakened by Ofelia. This shows he has just woken up from a deep sleep, suggesting how stiff and frail he is, perhaps being a visual metaphor for the effects of Franco’s old and outdated views. Also in terms of performance, the pale man is seen to have thin and sagging translucent skin, reflecting the starvation and famine of Spain under the fascist regime surrounding the period of the civil war, also provoking meaning that the leaders, such as Franco, are greedy and selfish. Another use of performance in the sequence is the use of religious connotations around the bloody stigmata that appears on the Pale man’s hand. This suggests to me that there is blood on the hands of the church and that the church is also responsible for the death and pain Spain is under. Similarly, the allegory of Saturn devouring his children is reflected as the Pale man eats Ofelia’s fairies. This also has social connotations as these fairies are all women, reflecting the prejudice in the film and how Captain Vidal doesn’t like women. In terms of performance shown in the sequence the pale man also appears as demonic as he is show to have claws and animal like features. This demonstrates how he is seen as an animal rather than a human, reminiscent of how the people of Spain were treated like animals rather than human beings by Franc’s regime. This also has connotations the holocaust, as the pale man could be seen as disabled and week for being blind in which he is represented to have monster-like qualities. This is a clear political example of the fascist regime during world war two that resulted in many deaths within the holocaust. 

• Explore an ideological reading of the British films you have studied (Under the skin and Moon) (20 marks)

Firstly, ideology in Under the skin is explored through the social representation of Beauty using a montage sequence in the opening sequence of the film. This suggests a feminist critique of beauty in a society where there is a need to obtain a particular look for perfection. In the sequence, we see Laura putting on makeup and buying new clothes in order to appear desirable however this creates meaning as it shows her identity being taken away and replaced by a fake beauty. Similarly, in the film an ideological reading of humanity is emphasised. This is seen as in the ending sequence Laura reflects upon her own skin rather than running away to save herself, which ultimately results in her downfall. This demonstrates how Laura’s humanity develops through the film to show that humanity is shown from your emotions in the inside rather than how you appear on the outside as she accepts her fate and rejects her physicality. Also in terms of ideology, the theory of Marxism is explored as Laura’s character is presented as an exploited worker, working for an unknown hierarchy yet never benefiting from her own work. This focuses specifically on how she is constantly watched by an unknown man on a motorbike, suggesting that as a worker she cannot be trusted to carry out her work without deviating or rebelling against the system like she does towards the end. Another ideological reading of this film could be at the start of the film where we see Laura driving around in a van using her sexuality to exploited men, reflecting the ideology of a switch in gender roles. Stereo typically a man will drive a van as well as most commonly hearing about cases where women have been exploited making them appear week and inferior however this is the opposite in this film. This shows how the female protagonist uses her sexuality for gain however as a result this is her downfall when the roles are reversed in the ending sequence. Lastly in Under the skin the ideology of existentialism is presented throughout the film as it creates meaning to whether there is a clear the point of our existence and if it’s up to us to create that meaning in life. This is significant especially in the narrative ending as we see Laura’s body burn in the middle of the forest knowing no one will come looking for how or find her, showing how quickly she will disappear from existence on earth. 

Next, in Moon, ideology is primarily explored through the reading of Marxism, suggesting that Sam, as the working class, is being exploited by those in charge of the company, linking to the political context of Capitalism. This is shown as Sam is continuously cloned for the gain of the company and doesn’t benefit to the work he is doing. This closely links in with the theory of modernism and the binary opposition of mass vs the individual. This shows how the system wants to be perfect but relies on the function of one human being, Sam, so will inevitably fail due to human fault. This also emphasises how the company doesn’t take human nature into consideration and as a result isolates Sam’s emotions and human rights. Also in Moon ideology is explored through identity. In terms of representation Sam is shown to appear as the default worker, being an American white male. In turn, this refers to a large group of the population, making it more relatable and realistic as he is seen as the ideal worker. Another ideological reading of Moon is the theory that Sam is living in a technological utopia shown as he is surrounded by artificial intelligence such as Gerty. In the ending sequence, we see the destruction of the technology and communication towers ultimately save Sam and allow him to escape back to earth. This emphasises how if technology develops too quickly it could control are world and shut off our humanity along with it. Lastly in Moon the social context of loneliness is explored as Sam is confined to a life without any human interaction as well as being treated like objects whilst cut off from the rest of the world. An example of this is how we see Sam talk to and create a companionship with the robots as if he is one of them. 

Week 17 ISP- Hollywood and Casablanca

1. Write 10mark response on Curtiz’s film making and the contexts of ‘Casablanca’.

In the film Casablanca, as an auteur, Curtiz’s uses the motif of shadows through the use of functional up lighting to cast shadows upon the white walls of the setting. In terms of production contexts Curtiz did this as they were filming with a low budget in Burbank studios and along with this was inspired by German expressionism. Curtiz therefore wanted to create a feel of cinematic space and immersion, which is also typical of the golden age period in Hollywood. Also, in terms of mise on scene, Curtiz used the date December 7^th, 1941 seen on the cheque in scene ‘Rick’s Café’. This holds strong political context as it five days before the Pearl harbour attack and therefore create meaning as it used as a form of propaganda in the film to emphasise the end of American isolationism and how at the time America was only providing financial support to their allies. Next Curtiz uses signature snappy dialogue in Casablanca to highlight American isolation for example when Rick repeats ‘I stick my neck out for nobody’. This suggests that Rick is significant as he represents Casablanca as a whole and is Curtiz’s mouthpiece for US propaganda in attempt to convince America to join the war. Also, in terms of cinematography, Curtiz uses the dolly in a tracking shot within his film making when introducing the character of Sam. In the scene ‘Rick’s café’ we are drawn into Sam playing the piano using a long tracking shot. This creates meaning as, in terms of of social contexts, Sam is a named black character in Hollywood showing the progression of the times, as well as his piano being significant within the narrative logic of the story, holding the paper as well as representing Rick’s memoires and heart break. Lastly a spotlight motif is shown throughout, for example when Ilsa appears in Rick’s café during the flashback sequence. This suggests the feeling of surveillance and being spied upon, hinting at the fact they are always being watched, as well as creating a contrast in shadows. 

Research American isolationism in the 1930s: 

• American isolations came from a combination of the Great Depression and the memory of tragic losses in WW1.
• The isolationists were a diverse group, including progressives and conservatives, business owners and peace activists.
• America took measures to avoid political, military or economic conflicts.
• America referred to it as “free security” and wanted to remain largely detached from Old World conflicts. 
• Some Americans believed that American bankers and arms manufacturers had pushed for U.S. involvement for their own profit.
• During the interwar period, the U.S. Government repeatedly chose non-entanglement over participation or intervention as the appropriate response to international conflicts.
• During the period of Nazi Germany, Congress pushed through a series of Neutrality acts which served to prevent American ships and citizens from becoming entangled in outside conflicts.
• The surprise Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor in December of 1941 served to convince the majority of Americans that the United States should enter the war on the side of the Allies.