1. AS Film Studies
Contemporary English Language Film
You should spend 50 minutes completing this question.
Introduction
I will be exploring the representation of age and gender in ‘Super 8’ (JJ Abrams, USA, 2011)
and ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ (Wes Anderson, USA, 2012).
Section One – Representation of Age
Representation of young people in ‘Super 8’:
Some stereotypical elements – young people represented as playful, lively, chaotic,
rebellious.
Young people are represented very positively – shown to be skilled, resourceful, brave,
honest, emotionally transparent.
Textual evidence – wake scene, filming scene, diner scene, quarantine.
Representation of adults in ‘Super 8’:
Adults shown to be ineffective, distant from young people, authority figures who care about
their children but don’t really express that (until the final scene).
Textual evidence – wake scene, bar scene.
Moonrise Kingdom:
Young people are shown to detached/isolated from the adult world, and to create their own
family structures through friendship bonds. Young people are shown to be troubled (Suzy,
Sam), rebellious but as in ‘Super 8’ resourceful, determined, and emotionally transparent.
Textual evidence – opening sequence, Sam and Suzy’s letters, Sam and Suzy in the
wilderness.
As in ‘Super 8’ the adults are shown to be ineffective (e.g. Scout Master Ward). They care
about the young people, but are quite detached from them.

2. AS Film Studies
Section Two – Representation of Gender
Representation of gender in ‘Super 8’:
The film is quite critical of conventional masculinity. The two fathers in the film are distant
from their children.
Joe is contrasted with his father in terms of gender norms. Joe had been much closer to his
mother and demonstrates more feminine behaviours – more emotional – more artistic.
Joe’s father doesn’t value this – wants him to be more conventionally masculine (basketball
camp). At the end of the film Joe’s values are validated and both fathers are seen to express
their emotions clearly (Joe’s father hugs him and says “I’ve got you.”)
Textual evidence – wake scene, bar scene, Jack yelling at Joe, Louis yells at Alice, final
scene.
Representation of gender in ‘Moonrise Kingdom’:
‘Moonrise Kingdom’ also explores the breakdown of conventional masculinity. The male
authority figures are shown to be ineffective , lacking real authority, and often represented
in a comic way. The failure of conventional ideas of masculinity is also suggested through
the Khaki Scouts’ Camp which is a comedic representation of attempts to encourage
conformity to masculine gender norms. Despite this at the end the male adults redeem
themselves in the film’s climax at the church.
Camp Ivanhoe – non-violent rescue, Captain Sharp and Sam, Walt and Laura, Storm scene.
Conclusion
Both films represent young people/adults as…. In the films the representation of gender…
Useful Scenes to Analyse
‘Super 8’
Wake scene
Filming at the train tracks
Bar scene – Joe and Jack
Diner scene
Jack yells at Joe
Louis yells at Alice
Quarantine
Final Scene
‘Moonrise Kingdom’
Opening scene
Camp Ivanhoe
Sam and Suzy’s letters
Non-violent rescue
Walt goes to chop something down
Sam and Captain Sharp
Laura and Suzy
Laura and Walt
Storm scene
Key Tips:
Refer to the key concept (representation) throughout your essay
Support your points with reference to specific examples from the technical areas
(cinematography, sound, editing, mise-en-scene)
Use terminology