Media Social Realism

1. Socialism through out the ages
San Dhinsa

2. A break down of the films we will be
looking at today 
1950s • Look back in anger
1960s • Poor cow
1970s • Bronco Bull frog
1980s • My beautiful Laundrette
1990s • Nil by mouth
2000s • This is England
2010s • Ill manors

3. Look back in Anger
The first thing I noticed when watching this scene was the fact the music was very upbeat, which
differs to BSR films today which are depicted much more lifeless and dull.However,the
storyline was still about mundane situations everyday people encountered. Themes such as
abuse, boring jobs and pregnancy were presented to depict to the audience how the film was
about a struggle rather than all happy rainbows.
I noticed how the archetypes were still similar to what we would have today, but just not as
structured. Jimmy porter was the weak but aggressive man which is an archetype we still
have today in BSR films, but the characters were still well-dressed which is unusual because
the clothes should be more accessible than normal or high priced which these actors were
wearing.
The typography was rather plain and old-fashioned as this film was
edited during the 50s.Today,typography would be used to reflect the
film, for example, if the film was set in the streets of London, an
urban style of typography would be portrayed.

4. Poor cow
• Poor cow represented a theme of childhood through out this particular scene ,this is a common
issue portrayed in British social realism films,even today.However,there were no actual
issues.Childhood was presented in a positive way because the parents were loving of their
child,today,childhood would be explored in negative ways such a single parenthood and neglect. In
this particular gif (from 0.41 to 0.46) the music in the background is a popular track from the 60s
which has positive connotations of sun-rise,determining the audience view that these parents
spend time with their child everyday, and that this positivity is their daily grind.
• The lighting was warm and there was a lack of any blue overcolour.
• Although this film used working class people, the situations were not as harsh as you would view
today,these films were much more muted and subtle when presenting the daily grind.
• The camerawork consisted with a few zooms,which would seem amateur if used today,which
highlights how in the 60's,they would dramatize scenes excessively rather than keep it realistic.

5. Bronco Bull Frog
• Technology had stepped up by the 70's because there were more shots in different
locations in Bronco bullfrog compared to British social realism films in previous
decades.There was however,alot of theme music which gave the film more an
upbeat feel than it should.The theme focused on in this film was sport,which is not
normally addressed in films of this genre,but it opened the door for more
personal identity for males specifically.The sport theme was accompied with the
theme of corruption of the youth.From the gif below (1.55 to 2 minutes) we
denote two teenagers breaking into a Phillips branded unit and stealing,thus
connoting that these two characters are involved with petty crime,which is only
the first step towards the corruption they soon face because they start with
something small and would go onto bigger crimes.
• This also connotes the archetype of the lost boy as he is
still finding his path.

6. My Beautiful Laundrette
• 'My Beautiful Laundrette' introduced more explicit content for this type of
genre.There was a gay kiss between two interracial men which exhibited
more controversial topics.There was also no music and no artificial lighting
here.I personally think that by the 80's, British social realism films
were more structured because they were becoming more dull and brutal
than before which is how they would be described today.The location was
very realistic as it was filmed inside your everyday laundry store.In my
opinion this represents entertainment combined with surveillance
because viewers could find the storyline interesting but also learn more
about sexuality.

7. Nil by mouth
• Nil by mouth has very brutal domestic violence which opens up the sensitivity range for this
genre of film. In the 90's British social realism films have increasingly become more
aggressive and realistic and were starting to dwell on storylines that would hit hard at
home.The actors were lower-class with a heavy cockney accent which further highlights how
these actors were from the area rather than a payed Hollywood actor without
an authentic accent.
This scene was particularly powerful because you could hear the diagetic sounds of the
downtrodden woman being beaten. This determines our view that women are seen as weak
in a much more distinctive abusive male gaze.
The flat has no curtains, highlighting how their is no shelter and cover for this poor
Innocent women. I think the setting and storyline mirrored each other perfectly
Because the flat is dingy with a lack of life, which is
Reflecting the mind of the downtrodden woman who seems
To be trapped in this mundane cycle, which is what
BSR films centre around.

8. This is England
• We are first introduced to this scene in a casual manner. The characters are resting
,conversing in an innocent topic of family. There is only dialogue and no music to
set the scene as neutral. The characters in this scene are predominantly white with
the exception of one black/mixed race male. From 1.09 we suddenly hear some
quiet music which has a rather sad tone which mirrors the conversation of parents.
Close ups have been used to create a contrast between the white characters and
the one black boy.This mixed in with other shots that show the distance between
the characters and where are they sitting which hints at the theme of this
particular scene...discrimination. Violence has been used to paint this picture.BSR
films are now beginning to use relatable storylines to ensure the audience find
personal identity and to also raise social issues.

9. Ill Manors
• From 2010 onwards, BSR films are becoming increasingly creative. This
particular film has actually been written and directed by Ben Drew
(otherwise known as Plan B) who uses his music to illustrate the situations
further. In this Scene, Kirby is released from prison which of course affects
Chris.BSR films usually do not use flashbacks, but because this film is more
of a modern approach, music is used along with a flashback to a younger
Kirby and Chris to hint at the history they have together. The lighting used
through this scene and throughout the movie altogether is natural. To
represent the 70s in the flashback, the mise-en-scene has changed in the
basment.The characters are now wearing old fashioned clothes. There is
no dialogue and only the sound of Plan B’s song Drug dealer which carries
the message along and keeps the audience interested. To suggest time
moving forward, the actor for Chris changes as he supposedly growing
older and the camera pans over.The themes and situations explored here
were Racism/prejudice (Trevor to Chris) , Drug abuse (Janet) and
Corruption of youth (Chris’s childhood) as well bad parenting as Chris is
left with Kirby.

10. In what ways has British Social
Realism evolved over the last sixty
years?
• In the last sixty years, alot has changed in the genre of British Social Realism. Situations and themes have
become much more brutal and realistic to represent the daily grind of British citizens through out the
ages. Camera work has also become more experimental through out the ages. To highlight this , if we look
back at the BSR films of the 60s , the post production was rather standard, compared to Ill Manors the
editing is more graphic and interesting to pull the audience further into the storyline. Music has also
changed dramatically in the last 60 years. The music use to be rather upbeat and there was a lack of
anything harsh or mundane, as time moved on, BSR films were representing the dull life of Britons as
music either began to disintegrate to further show the power of dialogue or the music mirrored the
themes well. Locations were beginning to pan out more, old BSR films were filmed in one or two locations
and as time moved on, there were more locations and camera work introduced. In my opinion, BSR films
have gotten more amazing over time because they became more realistic and were beginning to work on
personal identity through relatable situations, surveillance as we could learn about different lifestyles in
Britain (for example The Selfish Giant which is set up North compared to Kidulthood which is set in
London).There was also more entertainment as music and new editing techniques were introduced. There
was also some Diversion and Escapism being used more now compared to sixty years ago because we
were introduced to different social classes and clashes, for example in Look back in anger the actors were
seen to be from a lower-class yet dressed well , in Nil by mouth , poverty was more harshly presented
through a lack of curtains and clothing which only consisted of a tank top and boxers for Ray Winston.