AS - A LEVEL MEDIA STUDIES BRITISH SOCIAL REALISM AE FOND KISS CAMERA EDITING ANALYSIS

1. Ae fond Kiss
camera and editing
analysis! By San Dhinsa
(Film Director- Ken Loach)

2. About about the film...
In Glasgow, Scotland, the Pakistani parents of Casim Khan have decided
that he is going to marry his cousin Jasmine. Unfortunately, Casim has just
fallen in love with his younger sister's music teacher Roisin. Not only is she
'goree', a white woman, she is also Irish and catholic, things that may not
go down well with Casim's parents. They start a relationship but Casim is
torn between following his heart and being a good son.
How does it fit the British
Social Realism genre?
This film is themed around a typical Muslim family
in England, however, this film is relatable for any family
of any religion as it based on following your heart
or doing what your Parents want, thus following the criteria
of a struggle which is often seen in BSR films. The film also
deals with controversial topics such as racism, prejudice and
religion which is something that is seen today in Britain.

3. Clip I used to refer to

4. Editing Analysis
In this screen grab we can denote a dirty lamppost, and old
buildings, which infront,has two school girls. This connotes
to the audience that this area is middle class. This is suggested through the fact there
are just regular school girls hanging out, there is nothing to show that this area is poverty
stricken, just like there is nothing showing that this area is for the rich. It is bare and simple. This
long shot has been used to represent the suburban feel of Glasgow in this location. The
characters are represented to be from a white community as both girls are white, suggesting
there could potentially be a theme of racism or inequality.

5. Editing Analysis
Start 14;50 Finish 15;27
From 14;50 we denote two young children playing outside Roison’s apartment.We then
denote Casim walking out of her apartment towards his car as he often looks back up to
the apartment window. This connotes that as Casim leaves and tries to move on, hence getting
back into his car, he can’t help but keep looking back. This determines our view that Casim
is beginning to fall for her and is hinting at how ever much he tries to get away, he will always be
drawn back to her. This is exemplifying the theme of romance and love as well as probably
escape. The theme of love and romance is shown from his interest towards her and the
escape theme is shown through him trying to get away in his car which suggests their romance
could have some problems. The location is seen as bright with natural lighting and we hear birds tweeting
which is connoting how this side of the city, or you could say around Roison in general, is happy and
tranquil. It is also representing how this city in Glasgow is yet again, middle class and shows no sign
of extreme poverty or wealth. This short scene has been edited to further show the romance blossoming
between the two. The only sounds we hear are the birds tweeting and Roison playing the piano in her
apartment. The sound is connoting how the classical and romantic piano playing is centered around Roison
and he is drawn to that as we see him look up to her apartment window once more before
getting into the car.

6. Editing Analysis
17;45 18;08
At 17;45 we denote a male talking to three younger girls. This is showing Casim telling his sister,
Tahara, to leave before she gets into further trouble. He criticizes the way she is scantily dressed
and how he is working here and she should be at home. We then cut to their parents who are at home
,oblivious to Tahara’s antics which also shows how they are also oblivious to Casim falling for a
Caucasian woman. Casim’s comment about Tahara’s dressing is contrasted when we cut
to their Father wearing a posh suit which adds an element of humour. The cut between the two scenes here
establishes the characters to be from a strict Muslim family which is highlighting the theme of religion.
We also begin to view as Tahara’s character to be rebellious as she isn’t behaving like her parents expect,
just like Casim is interested in a woman who is not Muslim which represents a theme of rebellion as the
siblings are both disobeying their parents. This sets up personal identity for anyone of the Asian race as
well as anyone who has had
some sort of rebellion against their parents. This also acts as a way to educate the audience on what
it is like living in a Pakistani household.

7. Camera Analysis
From this screengrab,we can denote three men carrying a grand piano
in their hands whilst a female is looking down. This high-angle shot
really connotes the struggle that Casim endures. From this perspective, we see Roison
watching the men as an outsider, which reflects how she is an outsider towards Casim’s
family also.We denote the men are grouped together and she is out of focus which
connotes how she is oblivious to Casim’s future struggle,especiallly as he is the one
Carrying the weight (the piano) and she watches, which is foreshadowing how Casim
struggles with his religion and family’s prejudice against her.

8. Camera Analysis
Start 10;26
Finish 10;36
From 10;26 to 10;36 , the camera is following the car in the point of view
that we are present on scene. The camera is focused from the moment the car
pulls out from the side road to it joins the other cars on the main road.
This breaks up the series of mid shots and long shots we had originally from the latest
conversation so it pulls the audiences interest back in as there is a change of scenery. I will
also use something like a track to split away still shots to show more movement. This track
in particular shows the location with lots of busy cars and shops which connotes how big
Glasgow is.

9. Camera Analysis
At 18;55 we denote three people looking through a window. They are looking through the
curtains without seeming conspicuous as if they are waiting for something. This behind the
shoulder shot is connoting how this family are holding prejudice against the young male who
has yet to enter. This scene is showing how they judge him in a positive way before knowing
him which sets this family to be ignorant. This reflects on how Roison will be seen in a negative
way because she is not from the same race. The characters are seen as judgmental and
potentially racist as they are so easy to think highly of the young man before they get to know
him just because he fits the criteria of husband material with his looks and religion. We also
begin to see the characters to be from a Pakistani descent as the mise-en-scene such as the
Asian outfits are representing them as Muslim.

10. Review of the BSR film
In "A Fond Kiss," Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty tackle the age-old
conflict of star-crossed lovers. In this case, it's Casim Khan (Atta Yaqub), a
second-generation Pakistani immigrant, and Irishwoman Roisin Hanlon (Eva
Birthistle) in Glasgow, Scotland. Casim's a DJ with lofty plans to open his
own club; Roisin's a music teacher at the Catholic school attended by
Casim's sister, Tahara (Shabana Bakhsh). As expected, Casim's family made
plans for him to marry a cousin. And he's caught between obligations to his
family and his love for Roisin.
Yaqub wasn't a professional actor when Loach cast him. So Yaqub brings
certain rawness to his role that's very welcome. But that also exposes his
shortcomings.
There's also a superb cameo from Gerard Kelly as a sanctimonious priest.
We rarely get to see films such as "A Fond Kiss" in the U.S. Films that
bravely tackle social issues, expose our prejudices and force us to think and
understand other people and cultures.