Group 7 Foundation Production

Genre

The film Kidulthood belongs to the British drama genre but may also be related to crime/thriller as possible sub genres. In the opening sequence the audiences generic expectations seem to be fulfilled to a certain extent mainly due to the use of mis-en-scene but also the frame work involved. We are immediately introduced to various groups of teenagers in a school playground, which highlights the separation and isolation between the different children. In this sense expectations are fulfilled as this seems to be a natural occurrence during growing up. Certain words used also imply and reinforce the stage of childhood that would be expected including party, cigarette and even coursework. Again this supports the apparent divide between groups as some are referring to the weekend or out of school time, whereas some are more interested in school work. This suggests the text conforms to the characteristics of the genre as there’s no real sense of playfulness or irony when relating to the characters opposing the genre in hand.

Film language

The mis-en-scene conveys a vast amount of meaning in the sequence as is the main representation that structures the genre. We are introduced to groups of teenagers who although are wearing uniform look extremely untidy due to certain accessories and hairstyles. This creates the impression that this image may also be portrayed in their characteristics and behaviour. Various activities are also taking place as a group of boys are playing football, riding bikes and handing out invitations to a party. All these different things make the setting look cramped and enclosed and create an impression of claustrophobia and riotousness, almost like a prison which makes us look upon the teenagers in a negative view, similar to prisoners. Various meanings are also conveyed due to camera work. The opening scene is filled with crabs, pans and swish pans from one group to the next which again highlights a sense of riotousness as even the camera seems to be out of control. There are a number of close ups, mainly on the bys feet playing football which suggests a level of boisterousness. The two shot of the two girls looking untidy creates a lower class image and implies their behaviour may be of a low level as well due to a dominant stereotype. The sounds used in the scene is a soundtrack which seems to build tension and establish enigma. It allows the characters to oppose as slightly threatening and suggests its building up to an intense incident. Certain shouting is also amplified which again implies a rowdy atmosphere. We immediately learn that the characters portray criminal attributes through the use of dialogue as they speak of illegal parties and drugs; “parents are out of town, so anything goes” and “just light up the zoot” support this. Other visual techniques used by the director include the underlying feeling of bullying taking place just from certain looks and individual words used. Some groups are opposed to be more threatening than others and the idea of a group of boys looking for others implies a chase and makes the audience think of the consequences once the group finds the other.

Narrative

The narrative seems to be organised in a linear fashion and keeps the audience attentive and interested because of this. It is constructed through use of images and important dialogue. The audience is positioned with certain characters depending on the camera angle and seems to be opposed with others, for example we are positioned with two girls at one point who seem to be victims of bullying and we are therefore opposed with that group of girls. Identification and alienation are clearly are employed in a number of ways, mainly from the number of separate groups of teenagers spread out across a small playground with no contact to others. The theme of bullying that is highlighted also represents a certain level of isolation in itself even thought we don’t experience it first hand. As mentioned bullying is one of the main themes of the narrative along with crime, sport and sex. Tension is created and maintained during the narrative mainly through the use of dialogue as we understand one bully victim hasn’t completed the work for the bully and therefore consequences are expected to follow. Also a group of boys are looking for a girl, which we as the audience know she is with a different group of boys, again suggesting a feud may be created in consequence.

Representation and Ideology

The main social groups represented in the opening sequence are the teenage pupils who could be considered as common youths by a majority of the audience. As mentioned the represented in a negative light from the criminal antics displayed and disgust and the common use of foul language. The strong theme of bullying represented also connotes a poor image of the youths. Certain semiotics used in the opening including a game boy, bikes, footballs and a ‘zoot’. These all represent a sense of immaturity and channels through a certain sense of naivety and ignorance, which is a general ideology associated with most teenagers these days.

Media Audiences

The target audience for this film is definitely teenagers and young adults. The possible readings of the text would be a following a simple introduction to certain characters and an indication of themes becoming progressively apparent within the narrative. As a British teenager I think I read and evaluate the text in a slightly different way to audiences from different countries. I can clearly identify the opening sequence to contain a level of illegal content however I think it’s more accepted within my generation and therefore doesn’t shock me as much and build as much tension and enigma as it may for others. I can highlight the theme of isolation and separation as well as again, its common in any school and appears obvious even without any use of dialogue. Due to my age and gender I think I can relate to this issues in hand better than the majority of other audiences however my background limits my evaluation as the opening scene is more extreme than most teenage boys would ever experience.

Institutional Context

No real star has been used which could be an advantage in a film like this as the characters won't have been used in a previous genre which could allow them to appear more convincing and believable in this one.