New social realism (Murray 2008) “The work of film- makers today who may be creative, but are always grounded in the actuality of the events within their social contexts- wanting to examine the social realities that these fictional stories and people grow out of. Our experience as audiences is a constant frission of recognition- of places, of people we have varying degrees of contact with.”
Official Sites: Official site Country: UK Language: English Release Date: 14 April 2010 (UK) Filming Locations: Taylor's Bellfoundry, Freehold Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, UK Producers: Columbia Pictures Sony International Motion Picture Production Group
“These places represent an everywhere Britain, where relationships have broken down and where people have become isolated and disconnected. THIS IS ENGLAND celebrates community; Red Road gives us the faint possibility of its return through individual acts of connection.... London to Brighton’s social message is bleaker, since it sees escape as the only option. Their Britishness is in their culturally specific address to audiences at home.” (Murray 2008) (Stafford 2002)“The choices for British producers are: make a low-budget British film targeted at mainstream British audiences, hoping that the ‘peculiarly British’ subject matter will attract overseas audiences who will see the film as unusual. A low-budget film could cover costs by careful sale of rights in the UK and Europe. Anything earned in America is then a bonus. Or, make a low-budget film for a ‘niche’ art house audience in the UK and abroad. Or, look for partners in Europe and/or America and aim more clearly for an ‘international audience’.
Collective Identity The individuals sense of belonging to a group; the idea that through participating in social activities (reading magazines watching films) individuals can gain a sense of belonging and in essence an ‘identity’ that transcends the individual. “Thinking about self-identity and individuality can cause some anxiety- at least in cultures where individuals are encouraged to value their personal uniqueness. Each of us would like to think- to some extent- that we have special, personal qualities, which make us distinctive and valuable to the other people in our lives (or potential future friends).” (Gauntlett)
“These days, the insinuation that all gents are satisfied by 29 cans of Stella and a slightly stained copy of Razzle is as quaintly outmoded as the suggestion that the lady loves milk tray.” (Barton 2004)
Social realism
then is best understood as an approach to films which seek to make explicit connections to matters of public debate. IE- the economic system,
social relations, relationships between ethnic groups, various forms of exploitation.
Feminist: Winship’s notion of complicity is about being prepared for the reward of gratification to recognise the ideal version of ourselves despite the anxiety it will cause.
Presentation of self: the clothes we wear, the media we consume, the people we like. The combination of these practices amounts to an idea we have of how others see us, described by (Goffman 1990) as the ‘presentation of self’.
1. Quick fix problem solving 2. Male Narcissism 3. New male sensitivity 4. Male superiority / manipulation