2. The Exam is 1 ½ hours long
You will need to answer 1 question from
section A (Mr A-J) and 1 from Section B (Ms
R)
Section A = 30 marks (50 min)
Section B = 20 Marks (40 Min)
3. This unit asks you to analyse the characteristic features
of cinema.
3. The ability to recognise the significant ways in which
the films you study are similar to and different from
Mainstream Hollywood type films.
4. The ability to place the films you study into a wider
context of the developments and changes that have
occurred within film history
5. The ability to present a personal voice when analysing
films from World Cinema and reflect on the challenges
these types of films may present to your viewing.
4. This section asks you to focus on 1 film example (City
of God) from contemporary world cinema.
The focus of your preparation for this part of the exam
will be the close textual features of your film. i.e. the
way in which micro and macro features create
meaning and response.
You should consider carefully how thematic and
representational features are generated through
textual elements.
The social/political/historical context of your film
should also be identified along with their influence on
the style, structure and content of the film.
5. You will have a choice of 3 questions.
There will be 2 generic questions and 1 film
specific question to choose from
You must only answer 1 of these questions
6. Representation is constructed through textual
elements and informed by the context of a
film’s production.
You will need to give detailed consideration to
the way in which cinematography, mise-en-
scene, sound and editing function to create
representational meaning.
7. Consider what the film says about gender, race,
nationality, age and sexuality. These messages
will have been relayed to the audience via
textual choices.
Once you have identified what you consider to be
the film’s main representational depictions you
will need to discuss what the nature of these is.
Are the groups represented in a way that seems
to conform to the dominant social attitudes of
the time in which the film was made, or do
they seem to challenge dominant ideologies?
8. 1. Choose a scene from City of God.
2. Identify the particular features of cinematography,
mise-en-scene, sound and editing that seem to be
attached to particular characters or groups of
characters.
3. Make notes on the way in which the textual features
in this scene seem to be guiding the viewer towards
a particular response to the character or group
4. Make notes on the relationship between attitudes
expressed about particular groups in the scene and
what you understand to be dominant social
attitudes.
5. Does this scene seem to be reinforcing these
dominant social opinions or challenging them?
9. As you already know from AS (and A2) studies, a
film is a product not merely of its director cast
and crew. The look and content are also
influenced by audience expectations and ideas
that were circulating at the time the film was
produced.
City of god was made at a particular point in
history and in a particular national (and social)
context.
Consider what this film is indicating about the
politics and social opinions that surrounded its
production
10. The discussion of social and political issues
might be explicit, delivered through the dialogue
of certain characters; but they might me implicit
delivered through the construction of character,
the mise-en-scene, the narrative pattern and
even the cinematography.
A particular attitude towards a social group
might also be apparent in the film; you should
extend your comments beyond representation
of social groups to the representation of social
issues and ideological standpoints.
11. Does the film challenge or support the social
attitudes or opinions held by the majority of
society?
Make notes on your own responses to the
messages that are apparent in the film. You may
have sympathy with the standpoints that are
being taken, or your thoughts and ideas may be
opposed to those of the text. The dialogue
between the messages of your chosen film and
your own attitudes is an important aspect of
your discussions in the exam.
12. 1. Make a list of all the questions City of God
seems to be asking. These might be
questions about events, social groups,
political stances or social assumptions.
2. Make notes on what you consider to be the
films’ answers to these questions.
3. With a partner discuss what your own
responses are to the questions and answers
that you have identified.
13. Audience Reception
The most straightforward kind of audience
reception you can evaluate is that of other
members of your FS class, who are studying
the film.
The Internet will also give you access to a
wealth of audience comment and review. You
must remember to focus on how the film was
received when it was first shown in its native
country of origin.
14. Audience reception contd.
Box office figures will also be good to know.
Make notes on countries where the film was
more successful than others.
15. Audience Questions
What did the film tell you about the country in
which it was set?
What would you consider to be the main message of
the film?
What do you know of the film’s director? Could you
sense any signature characteristics within this film
and others by the same director you know about?
Did you feel that the film showed any genre
characteristics?
Did you feel the film was accessible to you, given
the frame of reference related to a different
country?
16. Critical reception
It is important to consider the critical
reception of your film that you cover a range
of views and critics’ opinions. You might find
that the majority agree on a response
however there may be some who offer widely
differing opinions. Don’t limit your search to
English - You may for example find a Brazilian
review (Internet programs can translate
these)
17. Things to look for in critical
reception
Features that are discussed
Thematic elements discussed
Information concerning director and other
work
Context of film’s release in terms of
institutional issues
Any comments regarding social/ideological
context in which the film was released
18. Sample generic questions
To what extent do you think your chosen film
challenges audience’s preconceptions about
particular social groups?
What do you consider to be the most distinctive
features of your chosen film?
Have critical reviews you have read about your
chosen film confirmed or challenged your reading of
the film?
Do you think it is necessary to locate your chosen
film within its social and political context in order to
appreciate the film fully?
