Exam Question

 How are the ideological themes in your chosen films resolved?

In this essay i will display how the themes of my two chosen films have been conveyed in vivid and suspenseful scenes, using various elements of film form and is ultimately resolved by the end.

My first film is Shaun Of The Dead which showcases the theme of responsibility and growth. This is depicted through the character of Shaun, who at the beginning of the film is selfish, ignorant and has no consideration for other's lives but through his trials and tribulations, evolves and starts to be responsible. His growth is climaxed in the final act of the film when Shaun and the others are in the pub and find out that his Mum has been bitten. When this happens, the film's tone becomes more mature and intense: there's a lot of death and more complex decisions for each of them (should I kill my mum, should I let them go). This is representing the apex of Shaun's growth, he needs to make a decision for the greater good and he does. In particular, the scene itself has dimly lit, gloomy lighting. This is done not only to reinforce the dark atmosphere but also represents how Shaun has grown from his adolescence further: Shaun is shrouded in the shadow whilst everyone else has their face illuminated, highlighting how this is his darkest moment in the film emotionally and how he can no longer focus on lighter things in life and he has to embrace his maturity. 

Another element that represents his growth is body language and the mise-en-scene. Firstly, Shaun is on the floor, shaking and slumped over, almost like a child. However, when Davs aims the gun at Shaun's mum, he stands up and look directly at Davs, attempting to assert dominance in the situation. Davs is attempting to be the maverick in this situation by holding the gun, a object that represents power and control whilst Shaun only has a broken bottle. Despite their attempts they both fail at their dominance initially: Shaun is still visibly shaking like he was on the ground, a element of fear and complexion, conveying how does not actually want to kill Davs. A similar thing with happens Davs, when he accused of liking Liz he breaks his eye contact: he closes his eyes and looks away, he literally cannot face the truth and, by proxy, loses dominance in the situation. This is brought once more when Shaun is about to shot his mum: Davs hands Shaun the gun, literally and symbolically giving the power and control over the situation whilst he cowers in the shadows. Meanwhile Shaun stands in the light and centre of shot, aiming the gun completely still: he knows that it his responsibility to kill his Mum because he is closest to her and decides to give her that luxury rather than people she didn't know, cementing Shaun's sympathy for others growth in maturity.

My second film is Trainspotting, which explores the theme of freedom and entrapment through the character of Renton. At the beginning of the film, Renton is addict: addicted to heroin and the chaotic and adventurous lifestyle it brings. However by the end of the film he learns that this life isn't good for him and decides to leave. The moment when he decides this is in the bar scene towards the end of the film. The groups supposed fun time is interrupted by Begbie's true nature, the true nature of this lifestyle. The difference in body language highlights his disconnect from the gang now. Whilst the rest of the gang in the scene of action, Renton is slumped over by the table facing away: he is physically drained by being around them and cannot face the reality of the life he lives, the reality of their friendship. 

Furthermore, his disgust is depicted through the cinematography. For example when Spud is hurt, the camera is close up on his face and he closes. This represents how he cannot even look away to escape it, so he closes his eyes. But as Spud's cries continue he comes to the realisation that the only way he can free from their chaos is if he actually leaves. Furthermore, lighting conveys the idea of how torn he is: in the close up, half is face illuminated by light from the window, the goodness and benevolence of the world outside this chaos and the place Renton wants to be. The other half is shrouded in darkness, the dark and violent life Renton has been living up until this point, the darkness from the bar that represents addiction and entrapment, the two things that Renton is desperately trying to escape. Renton is literally split in half with his morality and is the edge of both sides.