Captain Fantastic and Inception essay
Essay:
Explore how far spectators respond in the same way to a film. Illustrate your answer by close reference to your chosen film:
Spectatorship theory is how individuals consume, engage and respond to a film and the factors that influence this response. This essay will explore how the film evokes different responses from individuals and what factors effect their response.
In the opening sequence of Captain Fantastic film-makers use a range of key and structural elements in order to evoke certain responses from the spectators. In the opening scene of the film we see what looks like a tribe coated in mud and camouflage brutally kill an animal with a knife and their bare hands. The close up camera angles and point of view shots allow us as spectators to view the killing from a first hand point of view as if we are actually part of the tribe. This could evoke a response of shock and outrage from some spectators as the youngest member of the 'tribe' is only 6 years of age. Spectators may not be used to seeing children of this age open to the brutality that we see in the film. The Film-makers have then contrasted this brutality in the next scene showing the family wash away the mud and camouflage to show the more typical family lifestyle they live where the children are happily running around in the grass acting like 'normal' Americans. This therefore could evoke a sense of relief for some spectators as it allows us to view the children living a typical civilian life which they will be more familiar with. Not all spectators will respond in the same way to Captain Fantastic depending on their social and cultural background. For example if the individual viewer lives on a farm and is used to living in an open and natural environment they may feel more connected to the families life as they commonly see brutal deaths of animals and prey. However if the spectator lives in an urban environment such as a city they will be more shocked by the families actions as they are used to walking into a supermarket and buying animals already prepared for them whereas Ben's family source and provide there own food. The sound in the opening sequence also adds to the brutality of the family as we here the graphic sound of the animal dying which contributes to the shock and horror of the killing.
Later on in the film we see Ben and jack collide when they both have different views on how the funeral for Leslie should be carried out. Initially we see a dull and depressing funeral held by Jack and his wife for their daughter. However this is interrupted by Ben and his children. The family enter in bright, colourful clothing which could evoke emotions of unexpected shock or humour for the spectator as they try and make the funeral lighthearted and a celebration of life. The family then honour Leslie's wishes by digging up her body and burning it on the edge of a cliff. The emotional response from a spectator may be empathy towards the family as they have lost a loved one. However a rational response from the spectator may be that the scene is unrealistic as it it impossible for 6 children to dig a grave and carry a body across the country. If the spectator follows a strict religion where funerals are significant they may have a negotiated response as they think it is immoral for Ben to interrupt the ceremony. However they agree that the family should honour the wishes of their mother. The use of Mis-en-scene and sound in the final funeral scene of the film help to evoke emotions for the spectator. The children sing a upbeat and positive song whilst dancing around the burning body of their mother. This could make the spectator feel emotional and sad as they are honouring their mother. If the spectator has been through a similar experience they may respond differently as they may feel more connected to the characters.
Overall this essay has explored how different spectators respond to the film "Captain Fantastic". In my opinion i disagree with the view that spectators respond in the same way towards films. This is because there are many factors that can affect the spectators response such as ethnicity, gender, age and experiences. This means that everyone is different and not all spectators will feel the same way about something that happens in a film. In my essay have have explored how many different audience members act/respond to the family. We follow the journey of ben and his children trying to find a new and happier way of life and grieve from their mothers death. In the opening scene we see the family brutally kill their prey so to start out the spectators may feel distant and shocked by the families actions. However as the film progresses spectators may feel more connected and sympathy towards the children and Ben. Finally at the end we see them settle in to a more civilised way of life and complete with themselves.
Explore how far spectators respond in the same way to a film. Illustrate your answer by close reference to your chosen film:
Spectatorship theory is how individuals consume, engage and respond to a film and the factors that influence this response. This essay will explore how the film evokes different responses from individuals and what factors effect their response.
In the opening sequence of Captain Fantastic film-makers use a range of key and structural elements in order to evoke certain responses from the spectators. In the opening scene of the film we see what looks like a tribe coated in mud and camouflage brutally kill an animal with a knife and their bare hands. The close up camera angles and point of view shots allow us as spectators to view the killing from a first hand point of view as if we are actually part of the tribe. This could evoke a response of shock and outrage from some spectators as the youngest member of the 'tribe' is only 6 years of age. Spectators may not be used to seeing children of this age open to the brutality that we see in the film. The Film-makers have then contrasted this brutality in the next scene showing the family wash away the mud and camouflage to show the more typical family lifestyle they live where the children are happily running around in the grass acting like 'normal' Americans. This therefore could evoke a sense of relief for some spectators as it allows us to view the children living a typical civilian life which they will be more familiar with. Not all spectators will respond in the same way to Captain Fantastic depending on their social and cultural background. For example if the individual viewer lives on a farm and is used to living in an open and natural environment they may feel more connected to the families life as they commonly see brutal deaths of animals and prey. However if the spectator lives in an urban environment such as a city they will be more shocked by the families actions as they are used to walking into a supermarket and buying animals already prepared for them whereas Ben's family source and provide there own food. The sound in the opening sequence also adds to the brutality of the family as we here the graphic sound of the animal dying which contributes to the shock and horror of the killing.
Later on in the film we see Ben and jack collide when they both have different views on how the funeral for Leslie should be carried out. Initially we see a dull and depressing funeral held by Jack and his wife for their daughter. However this is interrupted by Ben and his children. The family enter in bright, colourful clothing which could evoke emotions of unexpected shock or humour for the spectator as they try and make the funeral lighthearted and a celebration of life. The family then honour Leslie's wishes by digging up her body and burning it on the edge of a cliff. The emotional response from a spectator may be empathy towards the family as they have lost a loved one. However a rational response from the spectator may be that the scene is unrealistic as it it impossible for 6 children to dig a grave and carry a body across the country. If the spectator follows a strict religion where funerals are significant they may have a negotiated response as they think it is immoral for Ben to interrupt the ceremony. However they agree that the family should honour the wishes of their mother. The use of Mis-en-scene and sound in the final funeral scene of the film help to evoke emotions for the spectator. The children sing a upbeat and positive song whilst dancing around the burning body of their mother. This could make the spectator feel emotional and sad as they are honouring their mother. If the spectator has been through a similar experience they may respond differently as they may feel more connected to the characters.
Overall this essay has explored how different spectators respond to the film "Captain Fantastic". In my opinion i disagree with the view that spectators respond in the same way towards films. This is because there are many factors that can affect the spectators response such as ethnicity, gender, age and experiences. This means that everyone is different and not all spectators will feel the same way about something that happens in a film. In my essay have have explored how many different audience members act/respond to the family. We follow the journey of ben and his children trying to find a new and happier way of life and grieve from their mothers death. In the opening scene we see the family brutally kill their prey so to start out the spectators may feel distant and shocked by the families actions. However as the film progresses spectators may feel more connected and sympathy towards the children and Ben. Finally at the end we see them settle in to a more civilised way of life and complete with themselves.
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