2. General characteristics of answers in this section:
- An ability to construct a relevant response to the question by
comparing two films
- Knowledge and understanding of selected films, including
contextual knowledge
- An ability to relate representational and thematic issues to macro
features – especially narrative and genre
- An explicit or implicit sense of the specifically American
characteristics of the films and topic chosen
3. Q.15
How far do the American films you have studied for this topic
depend on well established narrative and/or genre conventions?
• A very good knowledge of their chosen films.
• A very good understanding of narrative construction
and/or genre conventions.
• A very good ability to explore similarities and
differences in the use of narrative and/or genre
conventions.
• A specific and detailed comparison between the two
films using micro and macro features.
• The best candidates are likely to be able to relate their
chosen films to a relevant American context.
4. Genre & Narrative Conventions
‘Lovers on the Lam’ – Romance/Road Movie/Crime
Mise-en-scene:
Locations: Mid-west or Southern US/Desert or open plain locations/The open
road/Diners/Motels/Gas stations
Props/Clothing: Leather/Denim/Rebellious/Birdcage/Cars/TV
Screens/Newspapers
Camera:
Two-shot/Wide-shot/Low-angles/High angles
Lighting:
Low-key/Often tinted – red/white/blue + green
Characters:
Lovers/A character as an obstacle to overcome
Editing:
Differs vastly between each film:
Badlands – Classical/Slow paced
NBK – Experimental/Frenetic/Energetic
5.
6. Q.16
How far do the American films you have studied for this topic
express similar messages and values to one another?
• A very good knowledge of their chosen films.
• A very confident ability to identify messages and values and their
representation in the chosen films.
• A very confident ability to explore similarities and differences in
the messages and values of their chosen films.
• There is likely to be a specific and detailed comparison made
between the two films in relation to their discussion of messages
and values.
• The best candidates are likely to be able to relate the exploration
of messages and values to relevant social and cultural contexts
of their American films.
8. Key Themes (Messages & Values)
• The ‘American Dream’ – something everybody can attain; ‘pop’
icons, mirroring or copying
• Dysfunctional Family - A result of those unrealistic ideological
beliefs
• Rootlessness – The characters have no ‘roots’ or ties to any family,
for a variety of reasons, and they embark upon a ‘road trip’ to
sustain their love.
• Modern Fairytale – The films present a highly romanticized view of
what it is to be in love. Love conquers all, overpowers obstacles and
anything is morally acceptable to maintain the relationship.
• Animalistic Nature: Trapped/Freedom – notions within their
environments and the characters situation. There is a constant
struggle between these opposing issues to maintain the partnership.
9. Visual analysis
WHAT?
Describe: What you see/hear
What is going on in the scene
HOW?
State: The scene is technically constructed (style)
Issues of representation, narrative, genre
WHY?
Apply: Discuss issues/themes in more depth
(American Dream/Modern Fairytale/Dysfunctional
Family etc.)
*Refer to other films in support*
10. Strong Response = A Grade
The society in which Badlands was made was not quite as consumed by
TV because the technology wasn’t as advanced and there were not
televisions in every room like in the 90s society which spawned Natural
Born Killers; the mise-en-scene in the diner during the opening scene
clearly shows this influence as the camera focuses upon a TV set flicking
through channels. Despite this Kit was still consumed by the idea of
becoming famous like James Dean. Badlands and Natural Born Killers
both seem to suggest that in order to become famous in America it is
easier to be a serial killer than pursue a career as a film star. Badlands
however, shows that there are consequences to those actions, the death
that was foreshadowed by all the death in Kit’s life (Holly’s dog being shot,
the dead cow) ultimately ended up with him losing his own life. Natural
Born Killers ends with Mickey and Mallory walking out of shot, showing
they had escaped the media. In the ending sequence Mickey and Mallory
are shown living the stereotypical ideal nuclear family life with 2.4 children,
this suggests that you can simply run away from your problems and carry
on a normal life.
Lovers on the Lam
