This document provides discussion questions about three films that depict urban stories involving power, poverty, and conflict: London to Brighton, Dead Man's Shoes, and Angela's Ashes. The questions prompt analysis of the physical environments shown in each film and the social classes and character traits depicted to convey messages and values about urban life in Britain and Ireland. Students are asked to consider both the similarities and differences between the three films in how they represent urban settings and use specific examples from each film.

1. A2 Film Studies World Cinema – Urban Stories: Power, Poverty & Conflict
London to Brighton Dead Man’s Shoes Angela’s Ashes
Physical environment
– describe what you
see in the locations
featured in each film
Physical environment
– analyse what the
meaning of what you
see is – what are the
intended meanings of
this use of mise-en-
scene?
Characters – what
social class(es) can
the main characters be
assigned to – choose
from underclass /
working class / middle
class / upper class
Characters – which
characters are nice?
Why? Which
characters are nasty?
Why?
Messages & values –
What does this film
have to say about
urban Britain?
In what ways are the 3 films similar in the representations of urban Britain / Ireland and in what ways are they different? (Give specific examples from each of
the 3 films and make sure you are using subject terminology in your answer)