Identities and Film: blog task

1)Read Media Factsheet 142: Identity and Film.

2) 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.

1. I am a GHS student 
2. I am a media student 
3. I am an English Literature student 
4. I am a Graphics student 
5. I am a female 
6. I am a daughter 
7. I am a sister 
8. I am Asian 
9. I am Punjabi 
10. I am British 
11. I am average height 
12. I am unique 
13. I am funny 
14. I am going to travel the world 
15. I am creative 
16. I am imaginative 
17. I am 18 
18. I am artistic
19. I am motivated 
20. I am a big fan of the Joker

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

Social groups and classifications: 

• I am a GHS student 
• I am a media student 
• I am an English Literature student 
• I am a Graphics student 
• I am a female 
• I am a daughter 
• I am a sister 
• I am 18 
• I am average height 

Ideological beliefs: 

• I am Asian
• I am British 
• I am Punjabi 

Interests:

• I am a big fan of the Joker 

Ambitions: 

• I am going to travel the world 

Self-evaluations: 

• I am creative 
• I am imaginative 
• I am motivated 
• I am funny
• I am unique 
• I am artistic 

4) 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 is the 1972 version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This film shows that I am quite a unique individual in the sense that I am an 18 year old who is a fan of a children's film. The identity of Willy Wonka's character resonates with my beliefs as he is an imaginative eccentric who believes that the impossible is possible; this is something that I also belief and his morals are based closely around mine. He embodies the creative mind and imagination and so do I. The idea of Charlie's character as the struggler who just needs a big break in life is something that I also resonate with as good things come to good people.

5) 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?

Wilde - 1997 

Oscar Wilde reveals that he thinks "that the realisation of one's self is the prime aim of life." The idea of being yourself and being true to your identity is explored in this film, when a woman asks the lady why Wilde is famous, the woman replies "for being himself." This therefore highlights how audiences should be encouraged to support the identity of individuals as it makes them who they are. However, the fact that Wilde's lover gets locked up and stopped from seeing him reveals the issues and debates around homosexuality and how it is not supported by all, encouraging audiences to sympathise and empathise with LGBT groups. 

Philadelphia - 1993 

This film tackles the topic of AIDS as an issue and a 'moral panic' too, encouraging audiences to be aware of the issues but also encourages them to understand the fact that being gay does not stop you from becoming successful and accomplishing things.The fact that he is being discriminated due to the fact that he has AIDS, reveals the severity of homophobia as a problem that causes successful individuals to lose their jobs, causing audiences to sympathise with the issues discussed. 

The Wedding Banquet - 1993 

This film explores the theme of family and traditional ideologies and beliefs within a family environment. It also explores cultural themes as the family are Chinese, the gay partner is white which also brings about issues of race and culture. The fact that people have to lie to their parents and lie in society to be who they are reveals the idea of masking themselves and their true identity in order to be accepted, highlighting Frantz Fanon's idea of black skin, white mask - although not strictly in relation, the similar idea of hiding being a facade to fit into society is prevalent. 

The Kids are Alright - 2010 

This film explores lesbian parents with children - showing that the stereotypical family environment is being distorted by the fact that there are two mums. It also encourages audiences to see that two women cannot raise two kids as the kids want to see the father and therefore want to know who their dad is showing that there needs to be social order in a child's life for stability. This encourages audiences to see the negative aspects of LGBT groups rather than the positive. 

Pride - 2014 

This film shows the rebellion of the LGBT groups who want society to accept their identity and being different from the rest in terms of their sexuality. The elder generation reveal the stereotypes in society as they ask 'can you clear something up for me about gays.' This shows the ignorance within society and reveals how this film is actually a source of educating society about the LGBT group as a positive image.