This is England Introductory Textual Analysis
The technical elements
heavily employed into this introductory extract are both editing and sound. The
opening subverts away from the conventional style of establishing a particular
location and the protagonist. This introductory sequence incorporates editorial
clips, that were significant in England, during the 1980’s and although a
national identity is established, its relevance is not easily revealed.
The iconic clips of images such as
the prime minister, Margaret Thatcher will help an audience to realise the film
may be heavily influenced by political issues such as Immigration, war and
unemployment; and how society reacted to these particular negative issues. To
balance the negativity of the era, there were shots depicting an age of
technology, involving the popularity of ‘Space Invaders’, whilst other shots
depicted how entertainment and the media was a positive part of the 1980’s.
Several mid shots, from within this
sequence, focus on how members of society reacted to events and issues. Their
emotional anger and rebellious nature highlight their ideology of the issues
being presented of unemployment, war, poverty, and the class and status divide.
Clips depicting ethnic groups in society show, that England’s multicultural
society was growing and racialism was an issue.
Many of the issues would be identified by an audience through the use of
the mise-en-scene. Costume design decodes the different classes along with the
location settings. Upheaval in society was revealed through action and the
freedom of expression.
The establishing shot, depicting the title of the film has a great
emphasises for the initial setting. The hand held camera pans across a run down
and heavily graphitised council estate. The hand held camera gives an effect that
it is travelling in a car. This micro code signifies the idea of natural
realism. The mise-on-scene in this shot, emphasises how gritty and depressive the
image of these buildings are to an audience; and in return they would realise
the harsh reality that is faced by their occupants. Realism is again decoded
through the use of natural light in this shot. The combination of these technical
elements, enforce the macro level of representation of class and status of
these social types. Furthermore, this then highlights issues such as deprivation,
lack of education, poverty and the way a society is forced to live.
The very first clip depicts the character Roland Rat, who has the only
diegetic feature in the opening sequence. The next clip commences with the
soundtrack ’54-46 (That’s My Number)’ by Toots and the Maytals and this track
continues to be played throughout the opening sequence. The music compliments
the clips and enables an audience to reflect and digest the imagery. This
subsequently, allows an understanding and establishment of the era.
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