Mock question: For 10 marks – Analyse how ideology is explored in Under the Skin.
Ideology is explored in the film Under the Skin through the concept of Marxism. An example where this features in the film is in the opening sequence where we see Laura working for an unknown higher power which forces her to exploit men and use them for the gain of the company. This could be considered Marxism as Laura is presented as the working class, being unfairly treated, exploited for her body and selling her labour, when in reality the ones who have control over her are gaining and profiting from this. However, later in the film, Laura choses to rebel against the system and go her own way, only to be punished for this and ultimately be her downfall. Ideology is also used in Under the Skin to comment on social issues such as image and beauty, for example in the montage sequence where we Laura trying on clothes and makeup in a shopping mall. This could be considered a feminist critique of a women’s beauty and sexuality as we see Laura taking away her true identity and replacing it with an idealised and artificial façade of fake beauty. This image shows a subjective view of women, claiming that the need for perfection is obtained by makeup and clothing in order to obtain a particular desirable look by society’s standards. This is later contrasted in the ending sequence, exploring the ideological concept of humanity and identity. An example where we see this in the film is in the middle sequence in which we see a 20 second shot of Laura starting back at her reflection in a mirror. The long take of the closeup is used to show the sudden development of intimacy between Laura and the spectator to emphasise this pivotal turning point in which we finally recognise Laura’s humanity as she discovers her own identity. Similarly, in the ending sequence we are shown Laura to accept her own identity as she stares back at her own skin after being attacked by the man in the forest. Within this shot Laura expects her fate and rejects her physicality only for this t be her ultimate downfall, giving the impression that her humanity is not only what saves her but is also what kills her. As well as this, another ideological viewpoint that is explored in Under the Skin is existentialism. This suggest that you cannot escape the fundamental nature of life and offers the spectator an opportunity to question Laura’s purpose. For example, in the ending sequence, the use of an extra-long shot of Laura’s body in flames contrasted by the white snowfall. This is significant as the spectator witnesses her dying alone and never to be found. The final shot we see is a pan upwards into the sky as smoke rises from her body and the snow continues to fall on the camera, giving the impression that her spirit has gone to heaven or returned to the planet she came from, leaving the narrative open to interpretation.
Emma Coe Film Studies 