Context
· Is and independent social realist film directed by Ken loach- know for Kes, raining stones, sweet sixteen
· A UK/French co-production, it received funding from the BFI and BBC films
· It became Loach’s largest grossing film at the box office, taking over $8 million and was highly critically acclaimed generating much debate due to its contemporary and political issue throughout
· Exhibited at many film festivals, winning Palme d’Or at Cannes and was nominated for many awards including several BAFTA’S
· Loach delivers a political message through the narrative
· He suggest that poverty is systematic, not down to character failure
· Job seeker allowance is eligible for £73.10 a week.
· Conservative government policy is both increasing and reshaping poverty
· Welfare state is a colossal misuse of resources
· Social Realist= like a documentary
Indie films
· The characteristics of indie films include:
o Made outside of traditional ‘studio’ system with small budgets
o They tend to be driven more by character then plot
o Imperfect characters and unresolved endings
Trailer
· The trailer establishes the film as an independent social realis film from the start with the soundbite- “I am appointed to carry out assessments for employments support allowance”
· The aim of the trailer is to hook the audience and the IDB trailer does this by establishing the credibility and critical success of the film through shots of awards (Palme d’Or0 and the funding partners of the BBC and the BFI
· Technical codes such as fade to black editing, the use of ambient lighting and the music creates the mood and pace of the film
· Use of visual codes, including clothes and expression, reinforce the film place in the social realist sub-genre
· The character and their story are also introduced and the audience is encouraged to identify with the characters. The relationship is intriguing as it develops through the trailer and the empathy established between the characters and audience encourages them to watch the film in order to find out more
· The final shot of the trailer establish a sense of community and hope for the outcome that may appeal to an audience as they may be relatable to many