The document provides an analysis of the representation of respect in the film "The Godfather". It discusses how Don Corleone, as the head of the powerful Italian crime family, commands great respect from those around him. All decisions are made by Don Corleone alone, and no one interferes. Those seeking favors, like Bonesara in the opening scene, ask Don Corleone for help while showing signs of respect, like standing while he sits. Don Corleone is dressed sharply and his family is well-respected, highlighting his high status. He reprimands Bonesara for his slight disrespectful tone and has him accept their friendship by kissing his hand, demonstrating Don Corleone's influential and respected

1. Representation of ‘Respect’ : The Godfather
The Godfather is a classical mafia/gangster film, inspired by Mario puzo’s The
Godfather novel. It is based on a powerful Italian family, involved in gambling,
however on the side murder people for favors. Don Corleone being the head of the
family, calls all the decisions within the family, and no one interferes, which is a
strong representation of respect. Out of respect, the majority of his friends ask him for
favors. In the opening of the The godfather, it cuts to the production label in white, a
traditional mafia film. The scene fades into a close up shot of a man talking. The
sound is all non-diagetic, suggesting this will be a long conversation, further
suggesting that what they are saying is significant for the audience.
The camera slowly zooms out to an over the shoulder shot of the godfather, with
him sitting in a confident stance, suggesting that Don Corleone (godfather) is of high
status. The room is of low ambiance, to emphasise the dark nature, further suggesting
the idea that Godfather is a man to be taken seriously. The man asking for a favor
(Bonesara) talks to Don Corleone with a slight tone of disrespect, which he is unused
to as he is treated with respect, emphasising his status. The camera now cuts to a
semi-close up shot of Don Corleone showing perhaps his disgust or surprise that he
has been treated with such disrespect. In the same scene, Vito is sitting down in his
seat while Bonesara is standing up, portraying respect towards him.
Vito Corleone is wearing a very smart and traditional suit, suggesting that his
daughter is getting married, as are his sons and consilgiere (advisor). This shows how
their corleone family is a well respected family with high status. Don Corleone tells
Bonesara that he does not even think to call him Godfather, as this is a sacred
relationship with two people in Italian culture. The camera cuts to a tracking shot of
Don Corleone walking towards Bonesara, telling him to offer friendship. The tracking
shot of godfather is shown to emphasise his respect in front of his family.
Bonesara kisses Don Corleone’s hand and accepts the friendship all in a high angle
shot in the Dons perspective. This suggests how the Godfather is highly influential
and respected. Godfather informs Bonesara that whoever his enemies are, are also
now his enemies. The opening scene portrays a kit if suggestive aspects of status and
respect that Godfather has.