Analysis for GCSE Film Studies of the opening scene in Attack The Block

1. Attack the Block
Opening Scene Analysis

2. Mise-en-Scène
Props, Costume, Lighting, Make-Up, Setting,
Performance, Colour
• Film opens with a falling star – genre indicator of the science fiction genre
• Use of fireworks – foreshadows how these props will be crucial in the film
• Low Key lighting – This creates tension and suspense in the scene through mystery and obstruction
• Street, deserted with kids (lack of adults) – again tension and suspense, stereotypical of ‘hoodie
horror’ films, implying that the streets are not safe for adults
• The ring – important prop of sentimental value to Sam, which will show how Moses changes during
the course of the film when he gives it back to her
• The Knife – symbol of “Broken Britain” and “Hoodie Horrors”, used violently in this scene, killing the
alien for example and to threaten Sam
• The wearing of Hoodies – symbol of “Broken Britain” and social issues as well as Hoodie Horrors
• Moses reveals his face – “Allow it”: Stern facial features, we know he is in charge – can you say
anything about the red peak of his baseball cap?
• The Alien – Genre signifier of sci fi films, and used to show how violent Moses is
• BMX Bikes – used in other science fiction films like ET
• The use of smoke at the end of the scene – another symbol of sci fi films, adds mystery to the
opening by obscuring the audience’s view
• As a revision technique, take screenshots of the relevant shots and label them

3. Sound
Diegetic, Non-Diegetic, Soundtrack
• The film opens with an eerie science fiction soundtrack, distinct scream and
pounding bass creates a sense of menace and threat to the film: you can link this
to the teenagers in the opening
• Pleonastic diegetic bang of firework frightens Sam
• The way that Sam speaks is emotionally open, saying “yes mum” for example: This,
along with her job, designates her as a caring, family-orientated person
• The use of ‘Get that Snitch’ after we see the graffiti highlights that the boys are
dangerous in this scene because that song is related to Hi Hatz later in the film.
Moreover, it indicates the idea of an authority outside of and stronger than the
law
• Music increases in volume and pitch when Moses mugs Sam, increasing tension
• Use of language – ‘merked’, swearing etc highlights that at the moment these
teenagers are the villains of the film, as well as highlighting their social class.
• Moses uses command words like ‘Give me the ring’ when attacking Sam,
demonstrating his aggression and the authority he is trying to project
• Sound also changes when the alien crash lands, back to non diegetic soundtrack of
a science fiction film
• Can you add more knowledge of sound to your understanding of the film?

4. Cinematography
Camera shots, angles, movement
• Establishing shot of Tube station and the urban estate in the background tells the
audience where the film is set, suggesting to the audience the type of estate this is
set in from prior knowledge. (Link to representation and context of the film)
• Use of close-ups on Sam’s face at the start of the film to build a connection
between her and the audience
• First establishing shot of the boys – wide shot which hides their identity – Why? –
link to representation and context
• Camera moves from behind the boys to follow Sam (she is their objective, they are
going to mug her, she is prey to them)
• ECU of Moses’ face when he says ‘Give me the phone’ highlights how aggressive
he is at this point in the film (monster)
• Low angle looking up at the boys from Sam’s point of view when she has been
mugged suggests the relative power of the teenage boys
• Why is Moses always framed at the front of the group, and in shallow focus when
he investigates the car? He is their leader and the cinematography suggests this.
• Any more significant techniques?

5. Editing
Pace, Cross Cutting, Any effects
• The editing follows Sam at the start of the film, which means she will be a lead
character in the film.
• The editing follows Moses later in the scene, again suggesting he is going to be the
main character in the film. Moses and Sam dominate the initial screen time evenly.
• Jump-cut when Sam turns to see Moses in her face suggests how rapidly the gang
move and how dangerous they are
• Editing is quick paced when Moses mugs Sam, highlighting how fast and how
aggressive the boys are, and when Sam can’t pull the ring off the editing is also
quick to suggest her panic.
• This changes when the female alien attacks Moses, again it is fast paced but this
time it is Moses who feels the pressure and this makes the scene more dramatic
• Fast-paced editing is disorientating for the audience, and creates tension as we try
to work out what is going on
• The cross cutting between the boys and Sam highlights she is alone and the boys
are in a pack. This make us fear for Sam’s safety because of the stereotypes
associated with teenage boys living in South London

6. Representation
Teenage Boys, Moses, Sam, South London
• How is Sam constructed at the start of the film?
– Through dialogue: “Hi Mum’”, “shift ran over”, and the fact that she’s been trying to call her
Mum connote a caring, family-orientated person
– She is easily frightened (bang) for example and at the moment does not fight back, suggesting
her role as “Damsel in Distress” – she is knocked to the ground, doesn’t fight back and only
escapes because of the alien crash landing.
• How are the Boys’ representations constructed?
– First seen as shadows on wall and their graffiti tags (why is this important?)
– They are then seen as hooded figures and their faces are covered – Why? – Link to context
– Moses also uses a flick knife to connote violent tendencies
• Think about Moses: he is the one who does the mugging, he is the one who
investigates the car. What does this say about Moses and why? He is the lead
character being established, but think about how he changes in the film.
• ‘Chasing that down, killing it, watch’ – Link this to the stereotype of Broken Britain
teenagers, he just wants respect from his friends and is looking for excitement.
• The streets are mostly empty and the film is set in South London: What does this
say about the location of the film? Link to context

7. Context
Location, Knife Crime, Hoodie Horror
• South London (Oval Tube): Think about how
South London is usually represented in films
(Harry Brown for example)
• First sighting of the boys (shadows and graffiti
tags – link to Hoodie Horror, Broken Britain) and
then in a wide shot (hooded faces): why choose
this way to introduce the boys?
• Why is the use of a flick knife important in
introducing Moses?
• Think about the use of street slang and swearing:
what does this say about the boys?

8. Going Deeper – Making Connections
to the rest of the film
• At the end of the clip, Moses wants his gang to help
him attack the alien: they do not hesitate. How can this
be linked to later in the film (especially the corridor
scene)? How does this go against stereotypes of
teenagers?
• Link the representation of Moses in this scene to the
representation of him at the end of the film. How does
Moses change? What is his narrative arc?
• How does Sam change as well? Here she is the damsel
in distress but how does this change later in the film?

9. Model paragraph: Fill in the blanks
The use of a neon blue colour palette is evident throughout the opening scene. As the boys
intimidate Sam this blue colour can be seen reflected across their faces while dark shadows
contrast highly through the low key lighting used in the shots. The almost fluorescent blue
juxtaposes against the more naturalistic lighting, suggesting an unnatural presence.
Furthermore it could be foreshadowing future events in the narrative, particularly as it seems
to be more present when we cut to Moses. This cold colour temperature could be indicating
that despite initial appearances he will become our hero as further threats loom for him to
overcome. Joe Cornish has been influenced by American Sci-fi films and has tried to create
an aesthetic that resembles some of the classic films from the 1980’s in particular. Although
he has clearly been influenced by British films too with a sense of social realism in this
opening scene through the mise-en-scene and the tight close ups. This juxtaposition is a key
component of Joe Cornish’s visual style as he incorporates the Hollywood science fiction
elements into a more gritty and lower budget British film. The result is almost a B-movie style,
another type of film that Joe Cornish has stated is an influence.
‘juxtaposes’ ‘unnatural presence’ ‘social realism’ ‘B Movie’ ‘contrast highly’
‘palette’ ‘aesthetic’ ‘visual style’

10. The use of a neon blue colour palette is evident throughout the opening scene. As the boys
intimidate Sam this blue colour can be seen reflected across their faces while dark shadows
contrast highly through the low key lighting used in the shots. The almost fluorescent blue
juxtaposes against the more naturalistic lighting, suggesting an unnatural presence.
Furthermore it could be foreshadowing future events in the narrative, particularly as it seems
to be more present when we cut to Moses. This cold colour could be indicating that despite
initial appearances he will become our hero as further threats loom for him to overcome. Joe
Cornish has been influenced by American Sci-fi films and has tried to create an aesthetic that
resembles some of the classic films from the 1980’s in particular. Although he has clearly
been influenced by British films too with a sense of social realism in this opening scene
through the mise-en-scene and the tight close ups. This juxtaposition is a key component of
Joe Cornish’s visual style as he incorporates the Hollywood science fiction elements into a
more gritty and lower budget British film. The result is almost a B-movie style, another type of
film that Joe Cornish has stated is an influence.