Western genre

Bandidas is western action film 2006 directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg. The main protagonists, who are acted by Salma Hayek and Penélope Cruz, started robbing banks as an act of revenge so as to aid poor Mexicans, who had lost their lands.



Why is this film considered to be Western?

First of all, Bandidas contents visual and sound conventions of Western genre. The settings occurs in Mexican desert. Actions develops against the background of expansion of territory. The main villain kills people in order to possess their land, on which he can build railway and get money due to it. Such props as guns, horses, cowboys hats and spurs can be seen a lot of times. Long and extremely long shots of nature are prevailed. And, finally, blowing wind in empty expanses is the main music theme in film.

Although the main characters are women, what is atypically and strange for Western, their characters are similar with main male character in such films. They are resourceful, independent and brave. Though they can die they couldn't leave Mexicans without help and money. Because of this reason they started to rob banks. And despite the difficulties, every time they plan robbery and make it successful, finding way out from every situation.

Elizabeth Taylor

                                                          Elizabeth Taylor(1932-2011)

Today i am going to write a little about Elizabeth Taylor, one of the most famous actress ever lived.

Her memorable performances

There is a list of memorable films with Elizabeth Taylor. Firstly, it’s Butterfield 8. Elizabeth won her first Oskar for playing prostitute Gloria. Also it is mentioned that due to film ‘Cleopatra’, she became a first woman in Hollywood, who received a million dollar contract for playing history’s famous diva. At the end of shooting she totally earned $ 7 million dollars. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf became the second film, for which she won Oskar. Taylor saw the film as her chance to 'really' act.

Who did she work with? Was she associated with any studio/director etc?

In 1941 Elizabeth signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which was the biggest and best studio of the time. This contract made Taylor a 'MGM chattel' so after 18 years of work she with relief ended it. Elizabeth was associated with one of her husband, Richard Burton. They played together in 8 films, including Cleopatra, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Sandpiper, doctor Faustus.

              

Comparison

                                       Casablanca (1942) VS Pretty woman (1990)

In this post I am going to compare 2 Hollywood movies. Naturally, these films have some differences. And it is not surprising because Casablanca was made in 1942, while Pretty woman in 1990. But similarities of Hollywood conventions cannot be rejected.

Narratives & Stories

Casablanca

In Casablanca narrative is enriched and to some extent explained by a flashback in Paris. Against a background of Visa’s problems love story of main characters is developing. Cause and effects link events. It is mentioned that because Ilsa left Rick in Paris at first he didn’t want to listen to her explanations and tried to understand the situation, while Ilsa couldn’t stay with him as she was married and should aid her sick husband. Also there is a closure in film. A viewer realized in the end which kind of relationship connected Ilsa and Rick, why she left him and why she did tell him nothing in Paris about her husband.

Pretty woman

In pretty woman narrative is linear.It is made in chronological order, so there is no problem with understanding who is Vivien, how she met Edward, which relationship they had. The plot is character-led. For instance, Vivian was a prostitute so she wanted to be with Edward because he could pay her, while Edward would like to find someone to relax and not to feel pressure. The closure in this film was would Vivien and Edward be together despite the difference in status (he is a millionaire and she is a prostitute).

Themes

Casablanca

Naturally, love and moral values are the main topics in this film. Also heterosexual relationship is a part of dominant ideology. It can be seen in lots of moments. Though, Ilsa loved Rick so much, she couldn’t forget her husband, who needed her support in Paris. And so she left her sweetheart because of her duty. Either although Rick promised Ilsa to stay with her forever, at the end he said that if she leave Laslo she cannot forgive herself. It means that her spiritual values and happiness are more important for him than his own bliss.

Pretty woman

This film is based on love story. It is shown that love can change people’s minds. For example if at first Vivian was some kind of prostitute, who thought that she could only sell her body and nothing more. In the end she is confident in herself. She wants to finish with this job and get an education in college. As for Richard, if earlier he didn’t think about other people, then he wants to help one businessman to save his company, even if it doesn't bring some benefits exactly to him.

Content

Casablanca

Casablanca is a good example of Hollywood conventions. There are no nude bodies and sex scenes. We can see only one scene with kissing of main characters.

Pretty woman

The situation is different in pretty woman, because in many scenes we can see nude bodies of characters. Moreover, there were some scenes with their private intimacy.

Conventions

Casablanca

Natural or low key are the fundamental elements of film. Because in the films there were quite a lot of dialogues shot/reverse shot is more likely to be used . From time to time eye-line matching and action shots ware used. Exposition was developed due to flashbacks of main character and dialogues of people in the market and then in Rick's cafe.

Pretty woman

In most cases I saw natural key in film. Also there were different kinds of shots: close ups, medium, long take . Exposition portrays viewers a successful man, who spends most of his time working and a woman, who is trying to survive in this world.

Others

Casablanca

Film contains more diegetic sounds. But sometimes with establishing and re-establishing shots there were some non-diegetic music, which implies place or situation.

Pretty woman

In film there was a main theme music and just in some moment diegetic sounds.

Where

Casablanca

 I suppose that it was filmed in studio with decoration of Rick’s hotel, market and airport.

Pretty woman

I think that this one was also filmed in studio with decoration of hotel, where characters stay. But also in the real world (in Beverly hills or in field, where there was a horse race)

Conclusion

Despite the fact, that content, convention and whereabouts in films are different, narratives, story and  themes have a lot of common.

Cinematography task

                                         Raging Bull(1980)

  Country: USA                                                                   

  Directed by: Martin Scorsese

  Based on: Raging bull: My story by Jake LaMotta

                  Joseph Carter, Peter Savage

  Screenplay by: Paul Schrader, Mardik Martin

  Produced by: Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler

  Cinematography: Michael Chapman

  Editing by:  Thelma Schoonmaker

  Starring:  Robert De Niro

  Budget:  $ 18 million

  Box Office: $ 23,380,203

  Duration:  129 minutes

   

                              Cinematographic analysis of fight scene in "Raging Bull"

                          

Walking to the ring

In the the scene before final fight steadicam is fixxing tracking shots with Jake LaMotta,who is preparing to this fight. Selective focus on his face was made in order to show a spectator LaMotta's concentration and excitement about forthcoming fight.

Entrance to the ring

If  at first a viewer can see medium and close-up shots of Jake's face, notwithstanding in the moment of going to the crowd position of steadicam is changed and with wide-angle lens faces of crowded fans can be seen.It was made so as to show reaction of audince on LaMotta. After that horizontal panning is used (when Jake is entracing to the the ring) in order to show  how many people are here for Jake's supporting. A set of medium and close up shots gives a watcher feeling that he is in that place also.

The fight

During  the fight a range of close up and extremely close up shots can be revealed.  This kind of shots with low angle and eye level makes a spectator feel pressure and tension because emotions of boxers can be seen exactly(for them them nothing is important now except this fight).Once time one medium shot with high angle is used to show not only faces but movements both boxers clearly.

End of the fight

The fight is ending with close up shot with canted angle of Jake's rival. It was made to emphasis ache of this boxer and his impossibility to continue fight. Slow motion of judge’s serious face is used to reinforce importance of this triumph.

Celebration

The celebration is beginning with tilt shot with low angle of Jake, who is standing on pedestal, so as to accentuate that now he is on top of the world. After that extreme close up shot with eye-level with Jack displays his tears of this victory, he is happy as never before.