WEEK SEVEN
2002
Terms
Hand held vs. tripod mounted camera
video tape vs. film
BEFORE THE FILM
Film is directed by Danny Boyle who is responsible for Shallow Grave (1994) and Trainspotting(1996)
The film deals with the outbreak of a virus which is highly contageous and quick acting. It is transmitted by body fluids and is not airborn
Viral infections: current worry. The opening of Outbreak has a quote from Linus Pauling about viral infections as most likely to exterminate people. Many outbreaks - mad cow disease, hoof and mouth disease etc. that effect animals and often do not transfer cross species while some do through mutation.
Virus is pivotal - remember War of the Worlds were it is pathogens that ultimately destroy the Martians and save humans.
Cast of characters
military
police
politicians
media
religious people
civilians
Responsibility/Blame Who is responsible? There are interesting questions about that in retrospect in this film but up front in next week's Fate if the Hunter
Countdown
Does the film have a countdown in it?
Film Techniques
Hand held camera
Video tape
framing
editing
type of shot
special effects?
AFTER THE FILM
Cast of characters
military: strange. Lies - doesn't have answer but need women to make life meaning to repopulate world.
police: gone
politicians: government basically gone
media: barely - newpapers mentions evacuation; broadcast from military
religious people: sergeant and statements on how long people have been around and with them gone it is a return to normalacy. "New Age" miiltary man!
civilians: few - surviving
Male (tend to get killed off - Mark, father, etc.)
Female (tend to survive)
Countdown Not so obvious but title implies a kind of countdown. Problem is it is neither marked nor known in advance so not of much use.
Responsibility Who is responsible? Scientists for invebnting or working with "rage"?
Animal rights people who release animals
In Britain hoof and mouth etc. but also event with animal rights people who freed minks that then wrecked havoc on all animal life in the area.
Film Techniques
At least 2 cameras going on every shot. Video is possible, film is harder.
Special effects in make-up and alteration of colors in digital photography - rather easy.
rain
Hand held camera: feeling of documentary - somewhat unsteady at times.Somewhat urban - everyone is being videotaped almost all the time outdoors. Cameras are everywhere.
Video tape: less discrimatory in terms of shades of colors and black/gray/white
framing: many frames within frames, people framed in the frame
people in isolation - either in extreme colse ups or enclosed in frames, or in high angle distant shots where they are almost invisible in the landscape
People appear isolated and alone
editing:
First shots in film: violence on TV - chimp (ape not monkey) on table.
quick rapid
type of shot: often extreme close-ups which isolate individuals or long distant shots which show individuals alone and isolated
Low angle shots, tracking shots etc.
Parallel structure: opening has monkey face up on table with wires attached. Later Jim is face up on tabel with wires attached. Unshaven Jim looks more monkey like
Are there two diffent worlds produced photographically? One realistic the other atmospheric?
Symbolism
sartorial: hospital clothes ties to lab
stopped clock
famous London places deserted
deserted highway (M1) going to Manchester
head/heart - selina, Col vs. Jim Science and medicine equated and indicted.
Film still optimistic as end shows there is still hope.
What is solution?
Right wing? Military does protect basically, heterosexuality is important for species to continue, indiviuality is crucial - ignore others; rather hard line.
Left wing: Women are stronger than men;
Between Selina and Jim (Id leave them in a heartbeat. I wouldn't) Women are harder than men.
Does Selina become "softer" at the end of the film? Does Jim become "harder"?
Is Selina the head and Jim the heart of the pair? Is this a role reversal? Does this alter in the course of the film?
Does this imply a solution that is something new, rather than women should be more masculine or men should be more feminine?
Is race an issue in the film? What is the relevance of the black and white horses and them being labeled "a family"? Are Jim, Selina and Hannah a family even if there is no blood tie between them? Is there a question raised about "All people being a family"? Compare this with Richard Widmarks statement about there being no more "commnities" but the world is one population now.
What does the film say about "the meaning of life"?
"Staying alive is as good as it gets" says Selina at one point. Does she change later? How? What does Maj. West promise his men? What is its meaning relative to the "meaning of life".(If there are only men left, there can be no future. The promise is for women. If everyone dies but the women, is that any better?) Without children there is no future and life loses its meaning. What problems does this raise for the two women in the film? If they refuse to become invoved with the soldiers are they "putting themselves ahead" of the survival of humans? Are individuals more important than the group?
There are many problems set in which politically correct positions are denied and other times they are not. Does this argue for some alternate solution rather than arguing for something dichotomous?