Task 3 – British Cinema

British Cinema

What Makes a Film British?

• Costume

Clothing in films such as Made in Dagenham, This is England and Pride and Prejudice portray what make British films, British.

• The Accent (Cockney, talking like the Queen)
• Rational Locations used in Production
• Theme
• Different Production Companies such as Channel 4, BBC and small companies like Ardman and Walkman.

Ardman

Producing classic animations like Chicken Run, Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.

Female Protagonists in British Film

You may think that there are hardly any films in British film, well look no further, here are some of the films that I have watched, enjoyed and I think are good movies involving female protagonists.

St Trinians 1 & 2 – Oliver Parker, Barney Thompson

The St Trinians portrays female empowerment as well as unity in a school full of girls. This comedy is hilarious because of their crazy antics and the well thought storyline.  The love and family values within the school makes you side with them and how they all come together to save their institute. Directed by Oliver Parker and Barney Thompson, both British directors make this film, in my opinion a success.

Bend it like Beckham (2002) – Gurinder Chadha

I think that Bend it like Beckham is aspirational film that sends a message out to young girls, telling them that they can do anything and they have to break their family’s rules on order to achieve their dreams. Even though, your family says no, your dreams are more important. Also, bend it like Beckham also, tells you that living a double life can be stressful. This British film is directed by Gurinder Chadha, born in Kenya but born in Southall, London. I feel that she is classified as a British director/producer etc, because she has directed many British films for example, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and has won several award winning documentaries for the BBC (British Broadcasting Cooperation) and been OBE for all of her services towards the British Film Industry.

Tamara Drewe (2010) – Stephen Frears

Tamara Drewe (Romantic Drama) is about a writer who goes back to her hometown in the countryside, where her childhood home is being put up for sale. This movie is located in Britain, directed by a British director Stephen Frears and has a British/English cast (starring Gemma Arterton, Dominic Cooper, Roger Allam etc). I think that Gemma Arterton is the female protagonist in this movie however, there were times in the movie where I thought that she was being a bit of an antagonist as well. On the other hand, she is the star of the film and that does not happen as much compared to the amount of Male Protagonist for example, Johnny English, Harry Potter, Shaun of the Dead, This is England and many more. In addition the accent used in the film  are very formal and the stereotypical posh, however, there were some parts where colloquial language is used by the younger actors (the teenagers), which is good because the dialect is diverse.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008) – Gurinder Chadha

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging is a great British film based on a 15 years old girls life as a teenager (including the good and bad). This movie is a very good movie, what makes a good is that the  audience can relate to the situations that occur. Trying get a boyfriend, your friends having boyfriends and you being the odd one out which makes you want to have that something special with someone. In addition to that, being insecure about yourself and I think it teaches you that you are beautiful and you don’t have to be someone who you are not as well as having a good time with your friends because life is too short and moments are forever. This is what I think makes the movie as good and memorable.

Mary Poppins 1964 – Robert Stevenson

Mary Poppins is legendary British film, I think that it is one of my favourite British film, it’s memorable and interactive but there are catchy tunes that in my opinion stick with you forever.

Wild Child (2008) – Nick Moore

Wild Child is a phenomenal British film, female protagonist, based in England, directing Nick Moore a British director who has directed movies such as Horrid Henry: The Movie and Pudsey: The Movie. Wild Child uses Emma Roberts as the female protagonist showing the female audience that people can change as well as using a famous female individual who a heroine other films such as Nancy Drew, AquaMarine and  We’re are the Miller which was massively successful and made thousands and thousands of profit.

Other Recommendations:

• Annie (1982) – Directed by John Huston
•  St Trinians 2 – Directed by Oliver Parker and Barney Thompson

Ultimately, female protagonists (leading roles) have increased throughout the years of British film have been highly successful as well produced. I have also, found that films are put into two categories.

Category A

Category B

Category A are films made with British merit, persons & resources whereas Category B are films that are co-funded with money from Britain and foreign investment for example Slumdog Millionaire, Wild Child. Furthermore, after watching these films and doing this article, I feel that it may or may not influence my work depending on what kind of film (concept I will go for). Also,  after writing and researching for this article I feel that male protagonists get into more danger than female protagonists, this is due to the stereotypical men are stronger than women but as you can see in kick ass 1 and 2 that is slowly dying one step at a time.