Themes & Genre

While doing research planning to help us get ideas for our film we had to know themes and genres assocated with British cinema. Establishing the theme and genre will help us know what cinemathgraphy and mis en scene is need as every theme and genre has its own conventions.

Espionage – this is a popular British genre, largely due to the James Bond films that includes issues like multiculturalism and the British stereotype of the charming, but daring British protagonist man. This genre is enjoyed by many because it displays Britain in all its greatness, advanced technology, heroism and patriotism. This genre will not be practical to do for our short film as espionage films need a lot of props, actors and a complex story line is needed, which will include red herrings and establishing character, we do not have the funds or time to this.

Rom-Com is a very popular genre, Famous examples are Bridget Jones Diary, East is East and Run Fat Boy Run. In these British films stereotypes are utilised this is so that the film can appeal to international audiences. Most of the films are set in London, which follows the international stereotype of Britain, they also have a glossed over view of Britain, which are reinforced in these films. However East is East counter stereotypes this as it is set in an urban part of Birmingham.

Social Realism is a genre particularly associated with British cinema, the style of this genre is gritty and unforgiving, aiming to show life in Britain as it really is for some of the working class population. An example of this are ‘London to Brighton’ (2006), this deals with gritty issues or themes such as rape, drugs, immigration and prostitution. ‘British’ gangster is a popular theme for short films, as that focuses around recent issues of British society. This is a hard issue in society and very serious, so we would have to be careful if we were to form our own short film based on this theme. Gravity is one short film that focuses on this theme very cleverly, we see crimes committed in a casual fashion by different people, this film is a social realist film as we see the dark side of the life in Britain.