FILM STUDIES

 "The director is always the most important influence on a film" Compare how far your TWO films support this statement.  Some mass audiences would rather turn to the belief that the actors and actresses are always the most important influence on a film due to themselves actually being the main focus; however, compared to more niche, indie films or films directed by true auteurs can transpose this opinion. In fact, the influence a director withholds is the driving force of the film; if the actual movie is either extremely self-conscious of the director, reflecting personal aspects, or if the film is a biopic dramatising the life of a historical individual, the director will always have a recognisable influence as their own personal style and ideologies may always be revealed through film form. In this essay I will be comparing "Sunset Boulevard" directed by Billy Wilder and "Bonnie and Clyde" directed by Arthur Penn. Both films are incredible cinema classic...

 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007) Component 1 Section B spectatorship and ideology Coen brothers  Distinctive filmmakers within wider context of US contemporary production. Auteurs. This is based on a book of the same name by Cormac Mcarthy released in 2005.  Overview US values and ideologies.  (further down the like) - our spectatorship and spectatorship issues Differences between Gen Z and Millennials  Values Speech Views on certain topics - political views Internet Technology Opening scene for No Country for Old Men  Accent and language used seems very Country/Western Voiceover Talks about older generation? Younger generation? Willing to die for the job - says younger generation wouldn’t Cant compare yourself to the old timers Thinks older generation is somewhat better? More respectful to the older generation than the younger Younger generation doesn’t carry a gun Likes to hear the story for the old timers - respectful of them His gra...

 DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) Billy Wilder  - Wrote the screenplay  - Directed - Film Noir, Crime, Drama, moral ambiguity  FILM NOIR: Defined by stylistic and cinematic features or themes.  Low budget due to war and lack of funding in Hollywood amongst studios. Use of lighting to create shadows and suggest crowd when few actors were paid to be on set.  The "noir" alludes to the darkness.  Use of lighting to create atmosphere.  Film noir is about the symbolic use of lighting to create a mood.  Noir - moral ambiguity and uncertainty. Defining a genre through themes.  Transitions in the moral landscape due to changing gender roles (both wars).  Plots around duplicity, deceit, individual desire and gain. Double-crossing people.  FEMME FATALE.  FEMME FATALE - WILDER Aligned with Sunset Boulevard - Norma Desmond.   

 Penn and Wilder as auteurs Similarities  Differences Focusing on: wider contexts, representations and key elements of film form.