Identities and Film: blog task

Complete the Twenty Statements Test yourself. This means answering the question ‘Who am I?’ 20 times with 20 different answers. What do they say about your identity? Write the 20 answers in full on your blog.

I am a...

1. Male
2. Student at Greenford High School
3. British Pakistani
4. Younger brother
5. Film enthusiast
6. Critical thinker
7. Political youth representative
8. Film maker
9. Gamer
10. Son
11. Working or middle class
12. Labour supporter
13. Deist
14. Programmer/Developer
15. Skateboarder
16. Glasses wearer
17. Activist/campaigner
18. Pianist
19. Graphic Designer
20. Volunteer

Classify your answers into the categories listed on the Factsheet: Social groups, ideological beliefs, interests etc.

Social Groups

• Male
• Student at Greenford High School
• British Pakistani
• Son
• Working or middle class

Ideological Beliefs

• Labour supporter
• Deist

Interests

• Film enthusiast
• Political youth representative
• Gamer
• Programmer/Developer
• Skateboarder
• Activist/campaigner
• Pianist
• Graphic designer
• Volunteer

Ambitions

• Film maker

Self-evaluations

• Younger brother
• Critical thinker
• Glasses wearer

Go back to your favourite film (as identified in the lesson). What does this choice of film say about your identity? Are there any identities within the film (e.g. certain characters) that particularly resonated with your values and beliefs?

My favourite film identified in the lesson was Hot Fuzz. The Cornetto trilogy made by Edgar Wright is probably my favourite set of films especially Wright who is one of my favourite directors. Hot Fuzz is a comedy film that uses generic action themes and sequences but also melds together themes that are very unique, different and absolutely absurd. Furthermore, many of Wrights film are created in a very artisitic and visually appealing way. Some of the best cinematography and camerawork I have ever seen have been in an Edgar Wright film. I also love the way that many of the storylines for his films tend to have very absurd twists but also set in realistic and natural scenarios. For example, a zombie apocalypse in London, or a guy who has to fight his crush's evil ex-boyfriends. I think these absurd scenarios in a normal reality blend very well together to create a unique sense of comedy which I very much enjoy.

Watch the trailers for the five films highlighted as examples of gay/lesbian representation in mainstream film. How are LGBT identities constructed in the trailers and how are audiences encouraged to respond to these representations?

There are many ways as to how the LGBT identities are constructed in the five specific film trailers. Firstly, it can be argued that the LGBT community is represented consistently as if they are a group that is constantly under a significant amount of scrutiny and opposition from those that do not associate themselves as LGBT. The trailer for Pride displays it with the way in which gay people are shown protesting for their rights. However, the film trailer for The Kids Are Alright creates a very different identity and representation of the LGBT community which is a lot more lighthearted and humourous. This means that the representations generally allow a greater sense of sympathy amongst audiences as they are encouraged to respond in a more positive way as the LGBT community is humanised.