Analysis distinction
- 1. Analyse the narrative and stylistic codes and conventions of different film genres using detailed examples to illustrate points. Drama – Sister – Siqi Song https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2019/11/21/sister/ Romance - Sign Language – Oscar Sharp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGfyxzJacLI The relationship between drama and romance is very strong. It could be argued that it would be difficult to have one without the other in film. However, as seems to be the trend in terms of genre identification, the end result usually refelcts many different genres, only to be identified as the one most dominant. As such Siqi Song’s ‘Sister, is idnetified as a ‘Drama’, due to its emotionally provocative themes and overall sad tone. The film follows the narrative of a Chinese boy wondering what his life would have been like if he had the sister his parents were forced to abort under Chinese law. This makes it perfect for a dramatic film as the emotional weight of the themes can be explored to whatever length Song felt. Also the conventional use of a family setting to symbolise lost potential and grief is very common in this genre, as a lot of people find it the most relatable. Oscar Sharp’s ‘Sign Language’ puts you in the film, using point of view camera work, and direct address. We are taken through the last day of work for ‘Ben’, as a sign holder in London. The romantic element of this film introduces itself when we are made aware of a female character, who is immediately identified as the love interest. This is crucial in creating a romance, there needs to be a romantic connection somewhere, this is not an avoidable convention. The story of ‘Sister’ is mainly linear, but at the end, the ‘punchline’ is revealed as twist on a flash- back, in which we go back in time to the point at which the film began, to reveal to truth about what the narrator had been saying. This enables the dramatic ‘punch’ to have a much greater effect, as the whole film leading up to the last few moments has been setting up the twist ending, as an emotional surprise for the audience. As well as following the joke structure, I would argue that it also has a three-act element to it, and we start rather neutrally, the tension rises between the siblings, and then at the height of the tension, the twist/resolution is revealed. The characters in ‘Sign Language are also hyperbolised by Ben for comedic effect. This allows the film to follow a short joke structure, as we expect the characters to be nothing like Ben says, but in the end, they meet his expectations, and go far beyond ours. Again, a necessary convention for a romance film, as it should have a ‘feel-good’ mood to it, and show the world in a more optimistic light. The sad twist of ‘Sister’ is hinted at all the way through by the unrealistic events, and the depressing soundscape, and colour. The characters consist of: the narrator, who is also the
- 2. son/brother, the sister, and the parents. All of these characters play integral roles in the film as it is about family, and the impacts on family of Chinese law at the time. This is actually not very conventional of a drama, as dramas usually rely on larger ensemble casts to stir a bigger pot of gossip and ‘drama’ than one voice actor could handle. However, often times, less is more, and the more you can get out of less resources, the better. ‘Sign Language’ also features a twist ending that brings every emotion of the film and forces the audience to make a conclusion of them. And the conclusion is that: people are kind and lovely and the world isn’t such a bad place to live in after all. That would be the intended reading of this film. The twist is that we think the friends of Ben, our hero, are not actually his friends at all and do not care about him like he thinks they do. All signs point to him being delusional, but at the end it is revealed that his friends were planning something lovely and wholesome for his last shift – to get him to talk to the girl he likes. As I said, this creates a ‘feel-good’ atmosphere that is the cornerstone of romantic films, a sense that love conquers all. Themes explored in ‘Sister’ include: family, government, politics, remorse, and most importantly, lost potential. The narrator mourns his aborted sister and spends the duration of the film pondering on what his life might have been like if the laws were different and he was allowed to have a sister. This gives the audience something to empathise with, which allows them to connect with the film and enable it to have a larger impact on them. Sharp’s ‘Sign Language’ is set in Oxford Circus in London. This is established with a read sign that reads ‘Oxford Circus’, and Ben saying that London is ‘the most exciting place in the world.’ the setting is very important to this film as it helps solidify the films place as being a comment of what it means to be British – a Londoner to be specific. Arguably, this film falls more under the category of being an ‘English film’. By this, I am referring to films like: This is England, Snatch, and Wild Bill, all of which would no-doubt be difficult to understand and empathise with from the perspective of an audience member who does not originate from the U.K. This will potentially alienate people from other parts of the world, but it means that the target audience – of Londoners presumably – will find the film all the more natural to connect with, as it reflects their real life. The iconography is very clear in ‘Sign Language’ – and almost blatant in establishing the role of the characters within society. They all wear clothes that are built for function instead of form, such as fingerless gloves, and knitted beanies, and they are all carrying a sign or handing out leaflets. This lets us know that characters are all part of the same community, and all have their profession in common. This is conventional of a romance narrative as the characters must have some sort of common ground on which they will form the basis of their relationship. One important thing to note about ‘Sister’ is that the visual style was clearly chosen very specifically. Firstly, it has been made using animated stop-motion, which is likely a satirical comment regarding Song’s opinion of the government, potentially being that they are cartoonish and don’t know which way they are going to move next. Secondly, the majority of the film is in black and white, however, the colour red is visible. Usually in fiction, the colour red represents passion, and energy, and life. However, more importantly, it is the predominant colour of the Chinese flag. This is important because his sister wears a red hairband throughout the course of
- 3. the film, even as a foetus, symbolising the sense of identity that the narrator feels his sister would have given him, had she been allowed to live. This is indicative of the drama genre as the characters are usually forced to go through a traumatic experience, and romanticise it for the remainder of the film. The style of ‘Sign Language’ is point of view, direct address shooting, to give it a very personal touch, and allow us to connect with the character and his world as much as possible in under three minutes, before the climax of the narrative, at which point, we are supposed to care enough about Ben to have the ending be impactful. The film also relies on the extremes of camera positions - i.e. close ups/long shots - to show a contrast, and a divide regarding, what Ben thinks, and the reality. It is not uncommon to see a romantic protagonist that is unreliable due to the fact that we can-not trust them to always see things objectively, especially in matters of romance. For example, Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby is constantly the subject of interrogation by the audience/reader, as he contradicts himself, and says things that we as the audience know- or think to be untrue. ‘Sister’ is identified by https://www.shortoftheweek.com/ as being a drama, and I would have to agree. The emotional journey that this film takes you on is certainly ‘dramatic’, but there is no romantic element, that would otherwise make this film a romance. In terms of genre identification, I had to think about ‘Sign Language’ more than other films, as it has aspects of many different genres, in accordance with Henry Jenkins’ genre theory. However, I have obviously concluded the film to be a romance as that is the most compatible genre with the conventions that I have identified. In conclusion, the distinction between genres is quite subjective, and down to small details that a casual viewer would not even think to look for. And rightly so. You should not have try and look for the genre of the film you’re watching, you watch it, and decide afterwards because to an extent, no one will have the same genre perception as another.