“Masculinity itself has social status, just like wealth, race and social class. In western culture, for example, greater masculinity usually brings greater social status” [1]
To what extent can British films, with particular reference to ‘This is England’, convey actual truth about White British males, and their involvement in violence and racism?
The male stereotype makes masculinity not just a fact of biology but something that must be proved and re-proved [2] meaning that the characteristics attached to the male gender, violence in particular, are seen as natural, normal and universal [3] therefore leading to these behaviours settling as the norm in today’s society. Representations of White British males differ in Shaun Meadow’s ‘This is England’ hence convey ever-changing figures of masculinity leading to the question, what is Masculinity? Violence has been stigmatised alongside racism with the male gender particularly White British males, however can film convey actual truth on White British male’s involvement in violence and racism?
With masculinity being a world wide term it is clear that there are not one, but several meanings to the word, as masculinity is and has been present throughout time, in different cultures and valued by all kinds of men, making it a an aspiration to live up to the masculinity figure known to a particular culture. This hegemonic image of manhood is constructed often through articulation of differences with a variety of ‘others’- racial or sexual minorities and, of course women [4] this is evident in ‘This is England’ as all characters fall into following Combo’s (Stephen Graham) footsteps due to his character being known for racism and violence, a trait which was valued in the 1980’s by skinheads.
[1] hhtp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masculinity
[2] Fasteau, Feiger, Marc
[3] Nelmes, Jill (2003): “An Introduction to Film Studies, Third Edition” pg265
[4] Kimmel, Michael S, (2001): “A Man’s World? Changing Men’s Practices in a Globalized World” pg22
Through the use of cinematography, Meadow’s has constructed Propp’s hero and villain theory where each character is shown in a hierarchy status showing the individuals level of masculinity. Through the close-up shots it is clear that age does not determine the level of masculinity, although Combo is the eldest and is the dominant figure, other characters are judged upon their attitudes towards violence and racism, this is evidently shown through the twelve year old protagonist Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) who although the youngest of the gang gains the most respect due to his vulnerability towards racism and skinhead violence. Meadow’s has combined a variety of factors which contrast childhood to manhood, which shows the confusion and differences between the ideologies of masculinity. This is depicted to the audience through Combo and Shaun’s characters where any youth cult or movement inevitably raises fears [5]
Throughout the film, it is clear that all the characters have been constructed to show different qualities of masculinity, this is centred by the gang where all characters combine their individual strengths and weaknesses to make up skinheads where attitudes toward race and politics have become factors in which skinheads align themselves [6]. Meadow’s contrasts the skinheads through their beliefs, as Combo is a racist, schooled in the politics of fear and ignorance [7] whereas Woody (Joe Gilgun) is shown to fun loving and level headed. Here Meadow’s shows inequality in masculinity as it varies from men to men, representation then, covers a wide range of characteristics stigmatised to ‘the male’ however are the audience able to believe that what is shown on screen is the truth? It is evident that throughout the world, developed and developing, antisocial behaviour is essentially male [8] proving that ‘This is England’ must carry some essence of truth.
[5] Media Magazine/September 2007/English and media centre
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinhead
[7] Media Magazines/September 2007/English and media centre
[8] Gauntlett, David (2002): Media Gender and Identity, An Introduction pg7
Unlike other British films, ‘This is England’ does not glamorise violence and racism, but infact shows it as the reality of the 1980’s when skinheads formed gangs to rebel against Thatcher and her belief in individualism and the promotion of consumerism [9] leading to skinheads following neo-Nazism. Meadow therefore shows the reality of the lives of the skinheads where the working class are reinforced as being trouble makers, which has lead to the labelling of all skinheads as violent racists, also complying with Mulvey’s theory that we are watching from a male perspective all the time due to the repetition of violence and racism. Here the representation of White British males falls into the category of ‘truth’ as most British films illustrate the masculine attachment White British men have to violence, ‘Football Factory’ [10] (Nick Love) shows truth behind football hooliganism as does ‘Green Street’ [11] (Lexi Alexander). ‘Made in Britain’ [12] (Alan Clarke) an earlier film produced in the 50’s also focused on a skinhead, shows that the spectator look on mainstream cinema is implicitly male [13] and that with films such as ‘The Football Factory’ and ‘Green Street’ which are both set in the 21st century fulfil the idea that ‘global hegemonic masculinities’ [14] are visible in today’s societies. Therefore ‘This is England’ may be a mixture of truth and the ideologies of the male species as gender is not a property of individuals but a process of institutions and a dynamic of power of relations between groups [15]. Meadow’s therefore portrays characters such as Combo to be fierce but justifies their actions through entitlement and power [16] being a reasonable construct of masculinity.
[9] Media Magazine/September 2007/English and media centre
[10] The Football Factory, Nick Love
[11] Green Street, Lexi Alexander
[12] Made in Britain, Alan Clarke
[13] Cook, Pam and Benink, Meike (1999): The Cinema Book 2nd Edition pg361
[14] Kimmel, Michael S, (2001): “A Man’s World? Changing Men’s practices in a Globalized Worlds” pg27
[15] Kimmel, Michael S, (2001): “A Man’s World? Changing Men’s practices in a Globalized Worlds” pg23
[16] Kimmel, Michael S, (2001): “A Man’s World? Changing Men’s practices in a Globalized Worlds” pg27
Leading on, throughout the film all characters conform to Dick Hebdige’s idea of subcultures which is widely presented, as skinheads, became a subculture with the similarities in music, style, culture and working class pride [17]. Meadow’s shows this through the character’s similar dress to show that they are all skinheads and share the same beliefs. Skinheads were identifiable with the united dress code of Dr. Martins, braces, jeans, Ben Sherman shirts and a shaven head. Unlike other gangs, the skinheads in ‘This is England’ are shown to be underprivileged and extremely working class people, here in comparison to Martin Scorcese’s Goodfellas [18] were the family live a lavish life in result of being apart of a gang, Meadow’s shows the realities of British film, and the reality of Skinheads of the 1980’s, therefore showing that British film can and does convey actual truth about violence and racism. By incorporating a young child in the film, the ideology of masculine rights is being enforced on the younger generation, also giving the impression that this behaviour is acceptable. This is shown when Shaun ignores his mothers wishes and continues to ‘hang around’ with Woody, Meadow also shows that adults have no power, linking to masculinity oppressing women, as Shaun has more control and power than his mother as he is a male.
Despite Woody’s advice, Shaun continues to stay with Combo although he fears that Combo is mentally unstable, in wanting to remain masculine Shaun’s character is presented as a conformist to the older generation also to their views and behaviours, this is shown through the way Shaun starts to talk and dress. It is clear to the audience that Shaun has been lead into the impression that not only are boys allowed to be openly aggressive and fight with their fists, but this type of behaviour is expected of them [19]. Therefore the representation of the male gender in the film show that the men are infact cowards as they choose to pick on ethnic minorities, some of which are just children.
[17] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinhead#Style_and_clothing
[18] Goodfellas, Scorcese, Martin
[19] Kimmel, Michael S, (2001): “A Man’s World? Changing Men’s practices in a Globalized Worlds” pg34
Meadows shows truth in this sense as racism was a big issue in the 1980’s were immigrant figures rose, as did unemployment among the White British public, men were made to feel that their place as the provider for the family [20] had been taken away by ethnic minorities, leaving them with hatred and loss of male pride and ego. This is shown when Combo along with the other skinheads raid a ‘corner shop’ owned by an ‘Indian’, Meadow’s shows the man being abused by Combo as racist remarks are being made as well as physical damage to the shop, two types of personalities are shown of men in this scene as Meadows presents the White British male to be ‘barbaric’ and a ‘savage’ and the ethnic minority to be ‘civilised’. Here masculinities differ as Combo shows violence as his way of solving a problem, whereas the ‘Indian’ shows rationality. This scene shows violence as a characteristic of a White male as does Alan Clarke in ‘Made in Britain’ where Clarke uses Trevor the protagonist to represents the majority of the working class in that era, as even the authority in the film are shown to be corrupted and supporters of a only White nation. The racism in the film proves successful in educating the audience about Britain’s past involvement in racism as Meadow’s shows the extremity of some cases such as Milky’s (Andrew Shim) who is the only black character in the film ,a friend of Woody’s and apart of the skinheads. The last scene of the film is both effective in revealing truth about violence and racism but also White British males views on masculinity. Milky is beaten to death by Combo. This scene shows that Combo, but also White British males found ‘Blacks’ and ‘Indians’ as threats to their ways of living, as the minorities are shown to have futures and wealth. This scene evokes the audience and enforces the stigmatised ideology of the ‘White man’ being a bully and a coward, however it is Meadows construct of characters which are seen on screen, not a real life situation.
It is clear from both film and documentary that narratives are constructed in order to gain audiences, therefore if documentary is mediated, then how far can film convey truth?
[20] Gauntlett, David (2002): Media Gender and Identity, An Introduction. Pg7
Grearson said that in a text there must be sympathetic characters; however this statement means that’s characters roles, beliefs and actions are amended to fit the expectations of the audiences making what we see on screen as an audience untruthful, making most texts in a way ‘fake’, planned and fixed. Furthermore Meadow uses stereotypes for the ethnic minorities characters featured in the text, their appearances do not fulfil all the stereotypical features of ‘Indians’ and ‘blacks’ however words associated with the stereotypes of Asians such as ‘stinks of curry’ [21] are used to show not only racism towards cultures of ethnic backgrounds but also the ignorance of the White British population. These stereotypes are used to emphasise the attitudes of the British public in the 1980’s but to also show the audience that times have not progressed that much as stereotypical racial abuse is still present in today’s society. These stereotypes work well with those held of the Skinheads as Meadow’s shows conformists and consumerists as they all wear and share the same clothes. The audience are presented with mainly male stereotypes, the White who fit Marc Fasteau’s statement that in order to maintain a masculine status, actions with violent actions in particular must be proved and re-proved [22], suggesting that violence will remain in a continuous cycle.
Alongside the male stereotypes Kimmel’s idea of public and domestic patriarchy is evident in Meadow’s ‘This is England’. The text revolves around a male dominated society, where females are only objectified for the male gaze [23]. Female figures stand short compared to the male characters as they have very little control in important issues such as the violence and racism, but instead remain only in the areas of relationships, housework and emotions [24]. Lol (Woody’s girlfriend) shows the only essence of control as she turns Combo down after he reveals his feelings; again Meadow draws the female characters to have control in love. As men we are so used to discounting our needs to do the task we have set ourselves, and so used to drawing our sense of individual identity and happiness from our individual achievements, that is often hard to recognise the needs of yourselves and others. [25]
[21] This is England – Shaun Meadow’s (2007)
[22] Fasteau, Feiger, Marc
[23] Mulvery, Laura (1975): “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema”
[24] Mulvey, Laura (1975): “Visual pleasure and Narrative Cinema”
[25] Seidler, Victor J, (1989): “Rediscovering Masculinity. Reason, Language and Sexuality” pg110
In order to be seen as a ‘man’ in society it is crucial that certain factors are met to prove that you are infact a worthy being of masculinity. In the 1980’s it was difficult to pull away from the norms and values set in societies, so anything out of the normal was abused, therefore conforming to what ever the ‘craze’ was at the time was the safest and quickest option in being accepted. If being a violent racist was accepted, then many followed to avoid confrontation. Shaun however is a victim of manipulation, he falls into the trap of bad habits such as smoking and drinking at the young age of twelve, this shows that the society of the time was corrupted in the sense that Meadow’s shows that the skinheads allowed for this type of behaviour to arise. Men should be seen as strong, providers, who are sexually aggressive, un-emotional, yet intellectual with a dominating and competitive attitude [26] this is shown when Combo says “men don’t cry” [27], but also through the attitudes and beliefs passed on to a vulnerable boy. Shaun is seen as being innocent whilst committing adult actions, he is therefore sympathised with as he is only a child. Meadow’s shows little of male dominance over women in comparison to male dominance over other men, here the characteristics such as overly competitive, uncommunicative and ultimately unrewarding world they have created for themselves {28] is shown primarily through Combo’s character where he keeps most of his thoughts and emotions locked away, in order to be seen as masculine, but also challenges Woody. Male dominated societies are not only based on a hierarchy of men over women but some men over other men [29].
It is clear to the audience that not all men behave the way Meadow’s presents the characters. In today’s society the ‘new man’ has developed which no longer bides by characteristics formerly attached to the male, but instead coincides with female characteristics such as sensibility, loving nature and emotions, showing
[26] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masculinity
[27] This is England
[28]
[29] Kaufman, Michael (2001): “A man’s world? Changing Men’s Practices in a Globalized World pg39
that although set two decades ago the representation of men has changed greatly from those films that we see today such as ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ [30] where Will Smith is presented as loving and caring father figure who lives to keep his son happy. Meadow’s has represented typical male stereotypes in order to show today’s society as the emerged form. The past may be constructed in fiction however; the British grittiness holds some truth as skinheads were typically violent racist, with such events such as the Notting Hill riots (1958), but also skinhead groups such as the ‘national front’ and ‘neo-Nazi’ also arose from the 1980’s were rebellions against ethnic minorities and the government were in action.
As a whole it is clear that Meadow’s ‘This is England’ conveys some truth of White British males involvement in violence and racism, as it holds facts and presents reality rather than a typical Hollywood oversized over budgeted blockbuster. This is England shows realness through the use of average looking teens and colloquial language but also the exposure of an ethical issue which has never before been so broadcasted across a nation which was known for its racism and violence towards ethnic minorities. Meadows has successfully approached a topic and exposed it for what it really is, skinheads have been advertised and explained to audiences. Although Meadow has represented White British males it is questionable whether he has presented the ethnic minorities correctly as they have been placed in stereotypical views for the audiences making their characters truly fictional. As for violence and racism meadows has shown the extent of which a violent racist attack can lead to. The audience are able to identify Combo as the villain although in his eyes he is the hero, as he is trying to clean up the streets of minorities. The text as a whole reflects the zeitgeist of the time and also reflects what attitudes and beliefs were held by a nation which now houses millions of ethnic minorities.
[30] Pursuit of Happiness, Gabriele Muccino (2006)
It can be concluded that the use of British grittiness makes the text effective in being realistic to a serious topic. Therefore the film impacts the audience in the right ways as it educates them about England’s past, and shows how far England has come as a country but also how far men have come and changed for the better. Our societies no longer assist patriarchy as the dominant trait but instead encourage equality and fairness between gender, race and cultures.
By Simran Kohli 13B
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
First paragraph
The male stereotype makes masculinity not just a fact of biology but something that must be proved and re-proved [1] meaning that hte characteristics attatched to the male gender, violence in particular, are seen as natrual, normal and universal [2] therefore leading to this behavious settling as the norm in today's society. Representations of White Birtish males differ in Shaun Meadows 'This is England' hence convey ever-changing figures of masculinity leading to the question, What is Masculinity? Violence has bveen stigmatised alongside racism with the male gender particularly White British males, however can film convey actual truth on White Brtish males involvement in vioence and racism?
[1] Marc Feiger Fasteau
[2] Jill Nelmes (2003) "An introduction to film studies" pg 265
[1] Marc Feiger Fasteau
[2] Jill Nelmes (2003) "An introduction to film studies" pg 265
Thursday, 3 January 2008
Historical text Made in Britain - Alan Clarke
Made in Britian by Alan Clarke is a text that shows truth. This is an example of a British Gritty film which features violence and racism..its like an older version of This is England howveer it focuses on the main protagonist Trevor a 16 year old male. Unlike This is England Made in Britiain shows no female representation, it is purely fixated on Trevor and his life as a skinhead. It also shows the society of the time which can be seen as very racists as even the police and social workers were against blacks and indians. There is absoloutly no control over Trevor which is the same in This is England as Shaun is also uncontrolable...it is however more realistic in Made in Britian as Trevor is 16...and rebelling against a cause which he is aware off..he is constantly against authority figures!!! below is a list of some of the factors which are the same in this is england
-Skinehads-neo-nazism
-delinquency
-swearing..smoking..drug abuse
-violence
-racism
-male patriarchy
-black charaters who are blamed
-no adult control over children
-subculture of skinheads---bald...dr.martens...
-unemployment
-proud to be British
Mde in Britian relates more to the society and how they reacted to the skinheads...were as This is England focused on individuals and how they were affected by racism.
Made in Britian shows how much society has changed since 1982 wen the film was realsed...although this is england was set in the 1980's....made in britain shows realism. the grittyness of Britain is shown throughout the film..it also only portrays working class peoples lives. as they were the ones involved in crime violence and racism!!!
-Skinehads-neo-nazism
-delinquency
-swearing..smoking..drug abuse
-violence
-racism
-male patriarchy
-black charaters who are blamed
-no adult control over children
-subculture of skinheads---bald...dr.martens...
-unemployment
-proud to be British
Mde in Britian relates more to the society and how they reacted to the skinheads...were as This is England focused on individuals and how they were affected by racism.
Made in Britian shows how much society has changed since 1982 wen the film was realsed...although this is england was set in the 1980's....made in britain shows realism. the grittyness of Britain is shown throughout the film..it also only portrays working class peoples lives. as they were the ones involved in crime violence and racism!!!
Detailed essay plan
To what extent can British films, with particaular reference to This Is England, convey actual truth about White British males involvement in violence and racism.
My independant study is focused on the truth of violence and racism. the majority of films which are screened show no essence of truth but are all based on fiction. As the skinheads during the 1980's became more accustomed to white nationalism and neo-nazism violence towards ethnic minorities was widely present. I chose this text as it is different to other texts about racism...(latest film..CRASH..AMERICAN hollywood so its glamourised). The grittyness and realism of the film make it so much more effective. The text is powerful in portraying the zeitgiest of the time were attitudes towards racism were encouraged. Later British films focus on violence more than raicsm as it is no longer acceptable!!
Truth+Violence
Skinheads originated in the 1960's were they shared dress codes and love for reggae music, this era showed little history of violence but instead both sets of communities lived in peace and accepted each other...also as the areas in which they lived were poor they had no other escapism but music. However, in the 1980's, with Thatcher in power, the rise of unemployment in the nothern areas, and the rise in enthinic migrants arriving in the UK...the white population (males) needed someone to blame for the fact that they could no longer provide for thier families...whislt ethnic minorties were living in "luxury". This lead to extreme violence and racism...white nationalsm and neo-nazism...violent skinheads.
Here the Britishness of the text brings realism, and truth to racism and violence. It shows how impressionable White British males were with no control over the growth of ethnic minorities in th UK. The text shows that in this era violence and racism became acceptable to males and ethnic minorities began to accept the day to day violence. Here the text shows how youths were involved into the violence and that violence and racism was being reinforced to the younger lot to ensure that it would carry on as a trend in future years. The male protagonist only aged 12 is going through issues of growing up and comes across skinheads. Through his child eyes ALL skinheads are seen to be fun, adventurous and loving people, this however does not represent skinheads as a whole as he soon falls into a crowd of violent and racist skinheads. The transition of his character shows how the power of British males had spread...grown men were involving children in life threatening behaviour. This reflets the society of the time and also the social class of the characters. The text is there to show audiences what life used to be like in England, through the grittyness England is potrayed as a devilish place to live in... working class people are potrayed as violent and racist people...this stereotype is still alive today. (A+G+H+S+E)
Masculinity
Masculinity is a major part in this film as in order to be accepted in this era people had to fulfil their given roles in society...women were homemakers and men were therefore breadwinners...not being able to provide for your family meant that you were failing...male pride IMPORTANT...men were being challenged by both minorities who were initially taking all the jobsd but also women who in this film were shown to be working. This contrasts with the few women figures which are shown in this is england...the female characters show no strength what so ever...Shaun's mother...no control over her 12 year old son...shown to be weak. Smell shown as a sex object is about 18 and is there for Shaun's pleasure (a 12 year old) Lol only female character that has a bit of control..however it is only in the case of love. The little use of women in this text reinforce the ideas that violence...skinheads and racism were only asociated with men at the time....these issues did not concern women...this is shown through no presense of women during and violence or racsim in the tetx. This again would reinforce the ideologies of women that were present in the 1980's...to the audience things have changed with masculinity...the new man has arrived and other texts show that women are in control and associated with violence...kill bill!!! racism however seems to be a topic which has dissapeared in todays film as it is no longer commonly associated with todays wolrd...the audience are therefore shocked by the text as it is based on violence towards non-white-british people. Men have always been associated with violence it is in there nature to act violently if they feel threatened by anything this is shown throughout the film...wenever a male character feels threatened violence is used...as a tool to feel back into control. (I+A+WC+R)
British factors
As the film is set in the nothern areas of Britain, representation is held of working class people. The majority of areas that are used are very grey...which represents England as a whole. They are shown to be low class...gritty back streets kinda thing...which portray the living conditions of England in the 1980's very well!!! These factors also tie in with the cry for help through violence...British men were ineed of help, there was no work = no money!! the violence and racism was an attack against the little supposrt they had from the government...upper class people are not shown bcuz they were not affected by low employment rates etc...life for British white men was unacceptable as all "thier jobs" has been "taken" by minorities..and as noone else was goin to help them they had to help themselves by becoming racist...this links with masculinity and pride...they had to concor somethin in order to feel good about themselves as they has nothin else. this sums up British factors as this kind of representation is common in todays films such as Bullet boy...very british gritty violent...and then kidulthood...male pride and representation of characters to be low class. Working class audiences are able to relate to the strive of stayin alive. This film is not for escapism but like the majority of British films This is England is telling a story about facts...the past actual events....this makes the film British. (A+G+R+WC)
This is England- issues and debates.
Racism shown in the text focuses on those who moved in during the 1980's which only really related to blacks and indians...nowadyas people have knowledge that not all indians are "paki's" and people ahve become much more acceptable to intergrating and mixing communitites. people are no longer segregated from people or knowledge...so racism like that does not exist in todyas society...it exists but not to the extent were it was present everywhere...more than indians racism has turned towards blacks against whites!!
Women in todays films which represent todays societies are shown to be more in control and active rather than passive which is shown in this is engand. women have roles which can sometimes be bigger than the male roles...this was not seen in the 1980's therefore it was not shown in this is england as althought it was made in 2007 it reflected the 1908's. this shows that roles in society have changed a large amount...both men and women have changed as roles that were linked with each gender then do not necassarily link today...NEW MAN...the new man is sensitive and caring and takes on roles that women were previously linked with...this shows that with the new man violence and racism had no link with the males pride and ego but instead being sensitive and caring bring happiness.
Crazes- such as happy slaps have hit the news as the youths of today have become much more violent...they have become more impressionable and relate to films and music as thier lifestyles, this has reinforced violence which can be seen in various films and music videos mainly MTV. ASBO'S...it has become the norm to act violently against those who are weak...bullying has become wide spread and it is seeen as "not cool" not to be a bully...in order to be accepteed as a popular child you have to prove yourself by creating a name and status which is usually reached through violence.
Books and links I will use....
The Cinema Book -
Subcultures - Dick Hebdige
Media Gender and Identity - David Gauntlett
A man's world? Changing Men's Practices in a Globalized world - Michael Kimmel
Mods and Rockers
Other texts
Historical Made in Britain
Green Street
Football Factory
My independant study is focused on the truth of violence and racism. the majority of films which are screened show no essence of truth but are all based on fiction. As the skinheads during the 1980's became more accustomed to white nationalism and neo-nazism violence towards ethnic minorities was widely present. I chose this text as it is different to other texts about racism...(latest film..CRASH..AMERICAN hollywood so its glamourised). The grittyness and realism of the film make it so much more effective. The text is powerful in portraying the zeitgiest of the time were attitudes towards racism were encouraged. Later British films focus on violence more than raicsm as it is no longer acceptable!!
Truth+Violence
Skinheads originated in the 1960's were they shared dress codes and love for reggae music, this era showed little history of violence but instead both sets of communities lived in peace and accepted each other...also as the areas in which they lived were poor they had no other escapism but music. However, in the 1980's, with Thatcher in power, the rise of unemployment in the nothern areas, and the rise in enthinic migrants arriving in the UK...the white population (males) needed someone to blame for the fact that they could no longer provide for thier families...whislt ethnic minorties were living in "luxury". This lead to extreme violence and racism...white nationalsm and neo-nazism...violent skinheads.
Here the Britishness of the text brings realism, and truth to racism and violence. It shows how impressionable White British males were with no control over the growth of ethnic minorities in th UK. The text shows that in this era violence and racism became acceptable to males and ethnic minorities began to accept the day to day violence. Here the text shows how youths were involved into the violence and that violence and racism was being reinforced to the younger lot to ensure that it would carry on as a trend in future years. The male protagonist only aged 12 is going through issues of growing up and comes across skinheads. Through his child eyes ALL skinheads are seen to be fun, adventurous and loving people, this however does not represent skinheads as a whole as he soon falls into a crowd of violent and racist skinheads. The transition of his character shows how the power of British males had spread...grown men were involving children in life threatening behaviour. This reflets the society of the time and also the social class of the characters. The text is there to show audiences what life used to be like in England, through the grittyness England is potrayed as a devilish place to live in... working class people are potrayed as violent and racist people...this stereotype is still alive today. (A+G+H+S+E)
Masculinity
Masculinity is a major part in this film as in order to be accepted in this era people had to fulfil their given roles in society...women were homemakers and men were therefore breadwinners...not being able to provide for your family meant that you were failing...male pride IMPORTANT...men were being challenged by both minorities who were initially taking all the jobsd but also women who in this film were shown to be working. This contrasts with the few women figures which are shown in this is england...the female characters show no strength what so ever...Shaun's mother...no control over her 12 year old son...shown to be weak. Smell shown as a sex object is about 18 and is there for Shaun's pleasure (a 12 year old) Lol only female character that has a bit of control..however it is only in the case of love. The little use of women in this text reinforce the ideas that violence...skinheads and racism were only asociated with men at the time....these issues did not concern women...this is shown through no presense of women during and violence or racsim in the tetx. This again would reinforce the ideologies of women that were present in the 1980's...to the audience things have changed with masculinity...the new man has arrived and other texts show that women are in control and associated with violence...kill bill!!! racism however seems to be a topic which has dissapeared in todays film as it is no longer commonly associated with todays wolrd...the audience are therefore shocked by the text as it is based on violence towards non-white-british people. Men have always been associated with violence it is in there nature to act violently if they feel threatened by anything this is shown throughout the film...wenever a male character feels threatened violence is used...as a tool to feel back into control. (I+A+WC+R)
British factors
As the film is set in the nothern areas of Britain, representation is held of working class people. The majority of areas that are used are very grey...which represents England as a whole. They are shown to be low class...gritty back streets kinda thing...which portray the living conditions of England in the 1980's very well!!! These factors also tie in with the cry for help through violence...British men were ineed of help, there was no work = no money!! the violence and racism was an attack against the little supposrt they had from the government...upper class people are not shown bcuz they were not affected by low employment rates etc...life for British white men was unacceptable as all "thier jobs" has been "taken" by minorities..and as noone else was goin to help them they had to help themselves by becoming racist...this links with masculinity and pride...they had to concor somethin in order to feel good about themselves as they has nothin else. this sums up British factors as this kind of representation is common in todays films such as Bullet boy...very british gritty violent...and then kidulthood...male pride and representation of characters to be low class. Working class audiences are able to relate to the strive of stayin alive. This film is not for escapism but like the majority of British films This is England is telling a story about facts...the past actual events....this makes the film British. (A+G+R+WC)
This is England- issues and debates.
Racism shown in the text focuses on those who moved in during the 1980's which only really related to blacks and indians...nowadyas people have knowledge that not all indians are "paki's" and people ahve become much more acceptable to intergrating and mixing communitites. people are no longer segregated from people or knowledge...so racism like that does not exist in todyas society...it exists but not to the extent were it was present everywhere...more than indians racism has turned towards blacks against whites!!
Women in todays films which represent todays societies are shown to be more in control and active rather than passive which is shown in this is engand. women have roles which can sometimes be bigger than the male roles...this was not seen in the 1980's therefore it was not shown in this is england as althought it was made in 2007 it reflected the 1908's. this shows that roles in society have changed a large amount...both men and women have changed as roles that were linked with each gender then do not necassarily link today...NEW MAN...the new man is sensitive and caring and takes on roles that women were previously linked with...this shows that with the new man violence and racism had no link with the males pride and ego but instead being sensitive and caring bring happiness.
Crazes- such as happy slaps have hit the news as the youths of today have become much more violent...they have become more impressionable and relate to films and music as thier lifestyles, this has reinforced violence which can be seen in various films and music videos mainly MTV. ASBO'S...it has become the norm to act violently against those who are weak...bullying has become wide spread and it is seeen as "not cool" not to be a bully...in order to be accepteed as a popular child you have to prove yourself by creating a name and status which is usually reached through violence.
Books and links I will use....
The Cinema Book -
Subcultures - Dick Hebdige
Media Gender and Identity - David Gauntlett
A man's world? Changing Men's Practices in a Globalized world - Michael Kimmel
Mods and Rockers
Other texts
Historical Made in Britain
Green Street
Football Factory
Thursday, 15 November 2007
books
Hebdige, Dick (1979). Subculture: The Meaning of StyleHuq,
my text is about the skinhead subculture which links in with this book along with Hebdige being one of my theorist as his studies are about the subcultures and thier dress trends which is very important in my study.
Rupa (2006) 'Beyond subculture' Thornton,
Sarah (1995). Club Cultures: Music, Media, and Subcultural Capital
this book focuses on media representation and music which both tie in with the themes of my text as it shows how cultures were presented in the media and also links in with the unity of blacks and whites throught the love of music in my text.
McKay, George (2005) Circular Breathing: The Cultural Politics of Jazz in Britain
britian has been known for its violence and differences due to music and diff in culture..this is shown in my text where diff people clach due to cultural backgrounds...but love of music.
Skinhead, Suedehead, etc. by Richard Allen
skinheads are the main characters in my text...well the text is based on skinheads so a book about skinheads will help in all ways to understand what skinheads were about as they evolved to stand for different things in diff eras...
other books:
Boot Boys
Demo
Dragon Skins
Knuckle Girls
Mod Rule
Punk Rock
Skinhead
Skinhead Escapes
Skinhead Farewell
Skinhead Girls
Smoothies
Sorts
Suedehead
Teeny Bopper Idol
Terrace Terrors
Top-Gear For Skinhead
Trouble For Skinhead (originally to be titled Skinhead In Trouble)
Spirit of '69 - A Skinhead Bible, Marshall, George (1991).
69 is 2 decades before my text was set however this book is indeed helpful as it guides readers to what skinheads did...what movements they had but also shows what trends they had to show that they were skinheads...thats minus bein a skinhead.
my text is about the skinhead subculture which links in with this book along with Hebdige being one of my theorist as his studies are about the subcultures and thier dress trends which is very important in my study.
Rupa (2006) 'Beyond subculture' Thornton,
Sarah (1995). Club Cultures: Music, Media, and Subcultural Capital
this book focuses on media representation and music which both tie in with the themes of my text as it shows how cultures were presented in the media and also links in with the unity of blacks and whites throught the love of music in my text.
McKay, George (2005) Circular Breathing: The Cultural Politics of Jazz in Britain
britian has been known for its violence and differences due to music and diff in culture..this is shown in my text where diff people clach due to cultural backgrounds...but love of music.
Skinhead, Suedehead, etc. by Richard Allen
skinheads are the main characters in my text...well the text is based on skinheads so a book about skinheads will help in all ways to understand what skinheads were about as they evolved to stand for different things in diff eras...
other books:
Boot Boys
Demo
Dragon Skins
Knuckle Girls
Mod Rule
Punk Rock
Skinhead
Skinhead Escapes
Skinhead Farewell
Skinhead Girls
Smoothies
Sorts
Suedehead
Teeny Bopper Idol
Terrace Terrors
Top-Gear For Skinhead
Trouble For Skinhead (originally to be titled Skinhead In Trouble)
Spirit of '69 - A Skinhead Bible, Marshall, George (1991).
69 is 2 decades before my text was set however this book is indeed helpful as it guides readers to what skinheads did...what movements they had but also shows what trends they had to show that they were skinheads...thats minus bein a skinhead.
Thursday, 1 November 2007
blog buddy
one of my blog buddies is farah who is doin her study on Green street. her study shows ideas about devience and hooliganism which can be linked with my study. her blog is realli good is got alot of analysis and various images and stuff...plus iv seen the film n i tink it will go will with mine. both are british films and show some characters to be from a lower class...
blog buddy from my class is aman because his study is about violence and about the destruction of society although its a sci fi it has relevance with the violence..
blog buddy from my class is aman because his study is about violence and about the destruction of society although its a sci fi it has relevance with the violence..
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