TCC A Level Media Studies resource for postmodernism unit - film - Hot Fuzz

1. Hot Fuzz (Edgar Wright, 2007)
...and postmodernism

2. Genre hybrid
• Essentially an Action-Comedy, Hot Fuzz draws
on a range of generic conventions including:
– Cop films, buddy movies, horror, western
– ‘Splatstick’ – early films of Peter Jackson (Bad
Taste, Braindead). Angel even uses the term
‘splattered’ of the way the reporter dies
Film and popular culture references are so abundant
in this film it almost becomes a theme.
Intertextuality in the extreme
• Is this a form of film ‘bricolage’?

3. Hip-Hop montage
• Example of a postmodern film technique
• hip hop montage is a subset of fast cutting to
portray a complex action through a rapid series of
simple actions in fast motion, accompanied by
sound effects (often enhanced)
• Coined by Darren Aronofsky on his work in films
like Pi (1998) and Requiem for a Dream (2000)
• Used when travelling to Sandford on train
• Edgar Wright also uses same technique in Sean of
the Dead (2004)

4. Parody / Pastiche and Self Reflexivity
• Opening sequence – parody of the super-cop
• Initial conversation with Janine (Cate Blancett –
uncredited) as pastiche of romantic film
• Parody of opening of Trainspotting (Danny Boyle,
1996) in shoplifter chase sequence
• Self reflexivity / self knowing:
– Parody of own film work (Sean of the Dead lines)
– Butterman as huge fan of action/cop films - the
very same films Hot Fuzz pays homage to

5. Hot Fuzz - tasks
• Do some background reading and take notes
including:
1. Critical and popular acclaim (awards, box office, DVD
sales). Was it successful? Why?
2. Find examples of at least 5 intertextual references in the
film. Why is this something the filmmakers do? Does it
add to audience enjoyment? How?
3. Read the Guardian NFT interview (in two parts). What is
EW and SP’s take on homage, parody and spoof?
4. What is the ‘Blood and Ice-Cream Trilogy’ otherwise
known as? What is this a reference to?