ISP Week 20
Notes:
Less Narrative- Deckard’s moral motivations not clear.
Open ending narrative- Not a concluded ending for Deckard.
Social/political/historical Commentary- Social commentary predicted how LA is becoming more like the film. Subtle underlying political context about slaves and post Vietnam war/cold war USA and fear of technology. Historical context about post Vietnam and the 80s era.
More experimental- Multiple cuts with voiceover.
Problematic protagonist- Deckard’s morals aren’t clear- comes across as anti-heroic, whereas Batty is seen as a more central character and the true hero.
Essay: Blade Runner: Explore the distinctive characteristics of New Hollywood cinema. (20 marks)
The film Blade Runner shows distinctive characteristics of New Hollywood cinema, for example the use of a more experimental style. In terms of sound, Blade Runner features a voice over from Harrison Ford which was inserted post-production as the producers felt the plot was too obscure that audiences would be unable to follow the narrative, however later the director’s cut was later released without this. As well as this, the experimental style is seen through the meticulously built sets and use of smoke to hide the Hollywood set. This means there is a forced perspective on the audience as it uses a retro fitted design to look old and new at the new time, suggesting the whole world is on set. This is an example of the New Hollywood experimental style as it brings depth to the set and allows complex sets to be intricately developed. This also uses sound to convey LA as an oppressive and technological based society, linking to the political context of the film. Next, another distinctive characteristic of New Hollywood is the use of a problematic protagonist with unclear morality and motivation portrayed by Harrison Ford. For example, Deckard towards the end of the film comes across as anti-heroic and Batty seen as a more central character. This suggest how Deckard is portrayed to be the false hero as his actions are unjustified and has limited emotional responses to his job. Whereas Batty is represented as the true protagonist as he is seen to show desire, and true emotions with a hidden fragility which ultimately results in his downfall. Also, in terms of New Hollywood cinema, Blade Runner has multiple European influences, for example the use of a Nazi dairy as source material which then inspired the book ‘do androids dream of electric sheep’ and therefore the script, as well as this Rutger Hauer writing ‘tears in rain’. These are characteristics of New Hollywood in Blade Runner as it is said to suggest European sensibility and influence of 80s politics surrounding the changing city of LA. Next Blade Runner uses social and political commentary as it shows a dystopian vision of the future where technology and corporations dominate LA. This is used to suggest the fear of technology post-Vietnam war and cold war within America. As well as using replicants to reflect an underlying social context based on the workers demanding equality after the USA tried to defeat communism and show the unfair class divide in the increasing amount of immigrants. In addition, another feature of new Hollywood is open ending narrative shown in Blade Runner. This is because the audience is left speculating whether Deckard is a replicant, as there is no ending given for Rachael or Deckard and not all the replicants have been killed. This could suggest how there is limited exposition and socially questions the future motivations of the characters. Similarly, a New Hollywood characteristic that is explored in Blade Runner is the use of less emphasis on narrative. This is seen as the narrative goal of Deckard doesn’t become clear until later scenes in the film. This suggests an internal conflict within the characters which is mirrored in the broken story line. This could also be interpreted to show Deckard’s questionable morals and actions as well as the representation of Batty from antagonist to hero. On the other hand offering the film’s audience a high concept film which doesn’t follow a clear narrative for any of the characters or events.
Emma Coe Film Studies 