British Cinema and Represenation

We are looking at ways women have been presented in British cinema over time. We started by watching Vertigo (1958) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, applying Laura Mulberry's theory if the male gaze. Currently, we are looking at contemporary British cinema and they ways British films constructs, reinforce or challenge notions of identity (the burden of representation) and the conflict between successful commercial films in contrast to cultural UK films. We examined the trailers for Notting Hill (1999) and Bend It Like Beckham (2002) which were commercially successful films but also challenge the representation of women through a humorous view of stereotypes. We are considering the dilemma film makers have between making films that are commercially successful and might attract an American audience and social realist films by directors like Ken Loach, which are critically acclaimed but give a much bleaker representation of society in general. Next, we will look at the representation of women in contemporary British films such as Fast Girls (2012), The Kings Speech (2010), It's A Wonderful Afterlife (2010) and The Angel's Share (2012).