Lovers on the lam

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Section C: Comparative Study: ‘Lovers On The Lam’ ‘Badlands’/’Natural Born Killers’ Exam Prep

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Transcript of Lovers on the lam

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Section C:Comparative Study: ‘Lovers On The Lam’

‘Badlands’/’Natural Born Killers’Exam Prep

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General characteristics of answers in this section:

- An ability to construct a relevant response to the question by comparing two films

- Knowledge and understanding of selected films, including contextual knowledge

- An ability to relate representational and thematic issues to macro features – especially narrative and genre

- An explicit or implicit sense of the specifically American characteristics of the films and topic chosen

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Q.15How far do the American films you have studied for this topic depend on well established narrative and/or genre conventions?

• A very good knowledge of their chosen films.

• A very good understanding of narrative construction and/or genre conventions.

• A very good ability to explore similarities and differences in the use of narrative and/or genre conventions.

• A specific and detailed comparison between the two films using micro and macro features.

• The best candidates are likely to be able to relate their chosen films to a relevant American context.

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Genre & Narrative Conventions

‘Lovers on the Lam’ – Romance/Road Movie/Crime

Mise-en-scene: Locations: Mid-west or Southern US/Desert or open plain locations/The open road/Diners/Motels/Gas stationsProps/Clothing: Leather/Denim/Rebellious/Birdcage/Cars/TV Screens/Newspapers

Camera:Two-shot/Wide-shot/Low-angles/High angles

Lighting:Low-key/Often tinted – red/white/blue + green

Characters:Lovers/A character as an obstacle to overcome

Editing:Differs vastly between each film: Badlands – Classical/Slow pacedNBK – Experimental/Frenetic/Energetic

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Q.16How far do the American films you have studied for this topic express similar messages and values to one another?

• A very good knowledge of their chosen films.

• A very confident ability to identify messages and values and their representation in the chosen films.

• A very confident ability to explore similarities and differences in the messages and values of their chosen films.

• There is likely to be a specific and detailed comparison made between the two films in relation to their discussion of messages and values.

• The best candidates are likely to be able to relate the exploration of messages and values to relevant social and cultural contexts of their American films.

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Name The Films?

Supporting Films

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Key Themes (Messages & Values)

• The ‘American Dream’ – something everybody can attain; ‘pop’ icons, mirroring or copying

• Dysfunctional Family - A result of those unrealistic ideological beliefs 

• Rootlessness – The characters have no ‘roots’ or ties to any family, for a variety of reasons, and they embark upon a ‘road trip’ to sustain their love. 

• Modern Fairytale – The films present a highly romanticized view of what it is to be in love. Love conquers all, overpowers obstacles and anything is morally acceptable to maintain the relationship.

• Animalistic Nature: Trapped/Freedom – notions within their environments and the characters situation. There is a constant struggle between these opposing issues to maintain the partnership.

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Visual analysisWHAT?Describe: What you see/hear

What is going on in the scene

HOW? State: The scene is technically constructed (style)

Issues of representation, narrative, genre

WHY? Apply: Discuss issues/themes in more depth(American Dream/Modern Fairytale/Dysfunctional

Family etc.)*Refer to other films in support*

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Strong Response = A Grade

The society in which Badlands was made was not quite as consumed by TV because the technology wasn’t as advanced and there were not televisions in every room like in the 90s society which spawned Natural Born Killers; the mise-en-scene in the diner during the opening scene clearly shows this influence as the camera focuses upon a TV set flicking through channels. Despite this Kit was still consumed by the idea of becoming famous like James Dean. Badlands and Natural Born Killers both seem to suggest that in order to become famous in America it is easier to be a serial killer than pursue a career as a film star. Badlands however, shows that there are consequences to those actions, the death that was foreshadowed by all the death in Kit’s life (Holly’s dog being shot, the dead cow) ultimately ended up with him losing his own life. Natural Born Killers ends with Mickey and Mallory walking out of shot, showing they had escaped the media. In the ending sequence Mickey and Mallory are shown living the stereotypical ideal nuclear family life with 2.4 children, this suggests that you can simply run away from your problems and carry on a normal life.

Lovers on the Lam

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B

A

Grade