1985
Originally shot for television, it was later released in cinemas.
The plot tackles many polemical issues, such as homosexuality, racism and England's economic and political policy during the 1980s.
Saeed Jaffrey - Nasser Hussein
Roshan Seth - Ali Hussein
Daniel Day-Lewis - Johnny (as Daniel Day Lewis)
Channel4 Films– Working Title
Social-Realist style
Has a big selling point because it appeals to the gay market. But may be a hard sell because of the homophobic culture.
(www.workingtitlefilms.com)
SYNOPSIS
MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE is set in London during the Thatcher years and is the story of Omar (Gordon Warnecke), a young Asian man who takes over his uncle's laundrette. He is helped by his white boyfriend Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis), who in turn is harranged by his neo-nazi friends who are out to taunt him for his association with Omar.
Directed by Stephen Frears – later went on to be successful and directed “The Queen”
Starred Daniel Day-Lewis – later went on to be successful actor & in “There Will Be Blood” and “Gangs of New York”.
Academy Awards, USA
Year 1987
Result Nominated
Award Oscar
Category/Recipient(s) Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Hanif Kureishi
BAFTA Awards
Year 1986
Result Nominated
Award BAFTA Film Award
Category/Recipient(s) Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Saeed Jaffrey
Best Screenplay - Original
Hanif Kureishi
Evening Standard British Film Awards
Year 1986
Result Won
Award Evening Standard British Film Award
Category/Recipient(s) Best Film
Stephen Frears
Independent Spirit Awards
Year 1987
Result Nominated
Award Special Distinction Award
Category/Recipient(s)
National Board of Review, USA
Year 1986
Result Won
Award NBR Award
Category/Recipient(s) Best Supporting Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis
Also for A Room with a View (1985).
National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA
Year 1987
Result Won
Award NSFC Award
Category/Recipient(s) Best Screenplay
Hanif Kureishi
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Year 1986
Result Won
Award NYFCC Award
Category/Recipient(s) Best Screenplay
Hanif Kureishi
Best Supporting Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis
Also for A Room with a View (1985).
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Tuesday 1 December 2009
MERLIN CLIP - CAMERA ANGLES/CINEMATOGRAPHY
We start with some mid shots, and close ups quickly cut together to go well with the fast paced action.
When the fight is over, we first see a two shot of Merlin and Arthur, and then a low angle of our villainous character. This establishes the “sides” for the programme of good and evil, but also showing Merlin and Arthur together suggests a bond or friendship. The low angle of the evil character, suggests intimidation and power. When Arthur leaves the shot without Merlin this suggests they are together against bad, but not together as equals, further shown when Merlin is covered partly by the framing. He is left in a wide angle shot by himself, suggesting a lack of power.
A long shot shows us a new setting of the castle halls. We see the warrior talking to the woman with many shot-return-shots, and over he shoulder shots. This connotes a bond between these two characters, as they are always shown together. This is cut to a deep field of view shot of Arthur, so we can see his reaction to the scene.
We see a change of time, with an establishing shot of the castle, revealing it’s daytime. We then see Merlin walking alone, with long shots of him in a darkly lit room. This connotes a vulnerability, which we see again with close ups, revealing his facial expressions. Again with the entrance of the warrior, we see low angle shots, suggesting power.
A cut to the next scene, which uses a floating camera, shows the extent of Merlin’s work. We then see Merlin with Arthur again in a two shot, suggesting that perhaps a bond is beginning to be formed between the two. They walk together to the arena, where again they are separated and Merlin left covered by a wall, that connotes a separation either by class or some reason we do not yet know. As the fight begins we see a similar set of shots, to that at the beginning.
When the fight is over, we first see a two shot of Merlin and Arthur, and then a low angle of our villainous character. This establishes the “sides” for the programme of good and evil, but also showing Merlin and Arthur together suggests a bond or friendship. The low angle of the evil character, suggests intimidation and power. When Arthur leaves the shot without Merlin this suggests they are together against bad, but not together as equals, further shown when Merlin is covered partly by the framing. He is left in a wide angle shot by himself, suggesting a lack of power.
A long shot shows us a new setting of the castle halls. We see the warrior talking to the woman with many shot-return-shots, and over he shoulder shots. This connotes a bond between these two characters, as they are always shown together. This is cut to a deep field of view shot of Arthur, so we can see his reaction to the scene.
We see a change of time, with an establishing shot of the castle, revealing it’s daytime. We then see Merlin walking alone, with long shots of him in a darkly lit room. This connotes a vulnerability, which we see again with close ups, revealing his facial expressions. Again with the entrance of the warrior, we see low angle shots, suggesting power.
A cut to the next scene, which uses a floating camera, shows the extent of Merlin’s work. We then see Merlin with Arthur again in a two shot, suggesting that perhaps a bond is beginning to be formed between the two. They walk together to the arena, where again they are separated and Merlin left covered by a wall, that connotes a separation either by class or some reason we do not yet know. As the fight begins we see a similar set of shots, to that at the beginning.
Sunday 29 November 2009
MERLIN CLIP - USE OF SOUND
The clip starts with triumphant, almost royal, sounding music over the top of images of a fight scene. In the background we hear the exaggerated diagetic sound of the swords clashing together. The music gives the impression of a show of significance and hero rather than simply a fight between two people. As the battle goes on the music becomes much more aggressive as one warrior wins the battle and then we hear an audio bridge linking the battle scene to that of the triumphant warrior walking over to Merlin. The music now suggests perhaps a darker, sinister character in the warrior.
We hear much more light-hearted music during a clip where Merlin is using magic. The high-pitched notes add to the mood of this scene; it is much more calm and relaxed than before. The scene is interrupted as we hear an old man shouting at Merlin. This is a countertype as the old man has a very strong voice rather than fragile as we generally see, and suggests a position of power.
There is a use of silence during the next scene to show the emotion. The warrior meets a woman, who shall be a prize for the winner of the final – stereotypical. The sound of the kiss is important as it represents the bond these two characters may form.
The next scene has a big use of tension and the character of Merlin actually plays a countertype. In horror movies we see characters nervously walking through scenes like this, but most of the time these roles are played by women – simply for the male gaze generally. But in this scene we see a young man performing the role. To add to the tension we hear long, suspended notes of non-diagetic music, and loud diagetic hisses of snakes – normally connoting evil.
The loud clock chime symbolises a change in setting or time. Merlin repeats his countertype role in this scene, this time with an almost house maid type of work being performed. As he prepares the warrior for battle, the music is very light-hearted and feminine possibly connoting Merlin’s character and the mood of this scene.
The final scene is that of another battle being taken place. It is very similar to first scene, with exaggerated sword clashes and triumphant music for the hero. It is also fast paced, which matches the quick cuts we see on screen.
We hear much more light-hearted music during a clip where Merlin is using magic. The high-pitched notes add to the mood of this scene; it is much more calm and relaxed than before. The scene is interrupted as we hear an old man shouting at Merlin. This is a countertype as the old man has a very strong voice rather than fragile as we generally see, and suggests a position of power.
There is a use of silence during the next scene to show the emotion. The warrior meets a woman, who shall be a prize for the winner of the final – stereotypical. The sound of the kiss is important as it represents the bond these two characters may form.
The next scene has a big use of tension and the character of Merlin actually plays a countertype. In horror movies we see characters nervously walking through scenes like this, but most of the time these roles are played by women – simply for the male gaze generally. But in this scene we see a young man performing the role. To add to the tension we hear long, suspended notes of non-diagetic music, and loud diagetic hisses of snakes – normally connoting evil.
The loud clock chime symbolises a change in setting or time. Merlin repeats his countertype role in this scene, this time with an almost house maid type of work being performed. As he prepares the warrior for battle, the music is very light-hearted and feminine possibly connoting Merlin’s character and the mood of this scene.
The final scene is that of another battle being taken place. It is very similar to first scene, with exaggerated sword clashes and triumphant music for the hero. It is also fast paced, which matches the quick cuts we see on screen.
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Monday 5 October 2009
Daily Mirror Research
Woopwoop.
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(founded 2nd of November 1903)
3rd largest selling paper in UK
British tabloid newspaper.
Left Wing -->central left
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