1. Unit 26 Film Studies PR1: How ToAnalyse a Film
How to Analyse a Film
There are two different ways of analysing films, these being genre analysis and auteur theory. Genre
analysis is typically the most common way. Genre analysis follows the stereotypical guidelines of film
analysis and ‘sticks to the general roots’ that are followed. However auteur theory uses artistic merit
rather than commercial value like conventional genre films do. An example of action genre would be
James Bond films, these related to Genre Analysis because they follow all typical conventions of
action and/or good versus evil films. Whereas Auteur theory based films such as Leon set up then
break codes and conventions.
Genre Analysis
Codes and conventions
Codes and conventions are used together in any study of genre. The code relates to in which
equipment is used to tell the story in a media text. The conventions of the general excepted way of
doing things. So in genre analysis it is not enough to discuss a technical code such as camera work
without saying how it is conventionally used in genre.
For example the technical code of lighting is used in some way in all film genres. It is a convention in
horror genre that side and back lighting are used to create mystery and suspense.
Setting
The setting relates to areas such as the historical moment in time and geographical location in which
the story takes place, and helps to initiate the main backdrop and mood for a story. Elements of

2. setting may include culture, historical period, geography and hour and is a fundamental component
of fiction.
Character
Characterisation looks at the factors of the complexity, status, function of characters, reliance on
stereotypes and the emphasis on particular aspects of their lives – professional, sexual, moral,
psychological or social. Questions of character are intrinsically linked with the plot, posing the
question – which comes first – plot or character?
Themes
Themes follow certain issues with certain genres, such as action thriller genre considers good versus
evil, detective genre considers law and order, romantic genre follows moral and sexual issues. They
all tend to be concerned with exploring and resolving certain issues or themes.
Narrative
1. Opening
Establishes setting and introduces character
2. Build Up
Relationships established. Development of characters and their world…
3. Problem
A dilemma or series of complications. Characters are faced with an obstacle to overcome a
mystery to solve. Often more than one.
4. Events
A series of events/action as characters try to overcome obstacle, solve problem, discover
truth etc. Further complication may arise in the process.
5. Resolution
The protagonists are victorious, problems are solved, truth revealed.
6. Ending
Characters reflect on events, reinstate relationships and look forward.
Iconography
Iconography is an important aspect of genre. It is the expectation of seeing what is expected. For
example in western films you would expect to see dusty lonely roads, saloon bars, cowboy hats and
horses. In modern horror films we expect to see young girls, ’normal’ objects and use of light and
dark. Iconography is used by producers to excite audience expectation.
Ideological message
It is present in every film, showing ways of behaving either negatively or positively, which give an
implied or explicit morality or ideology. Every film is geared to the director’s sense of right or wrong.
This is an ideological perspective of characters institutions and cultures. Films are marketed art

3. mainly based for the American public. As a result as national character changes then the genre can
also change, reinvent its self or perish.
The Western genre for example through the 1940’s and 50’s looks at versions of love, masculinity
and individualism through the ideas of mythic sacrificial solo and heroic quest. Often nationalism is
given a sacred place above the idea of family and love. By the 1960’s the genre adapted to the fatal
and anti-hero cowboy unable to survive in the modern world eg. “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
Kid” (1969). The anti-hero was a product of the Vietnam era. By the 1990’s women had arrived on
the scene with “Thelma and Louise” (1991) which is basically a re-write of “Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid” but with two women in a world of organised men out to destroy them. Again this is a
product of its era that would have been unacceptable in earlier times.
The categories of Ideology are:
Neutral: escapist film and light entertainment with an emphasis on action, pleasure and
entertainment for its own sake such as “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” (1989).
Implicit: the protagonist and antagonist represent conflicting values such as “Pretty Women” (1990).
Explicit: movies constructed to teach or persuade, such as “The Green Berets” (`1968) or “Paths of
Glory” (1957).
In Quantum of Solace women are objectified. They are seen as attractive and characters of sexual
desire whether they are in a role as a heroine or a villain. Olga Kurylenko as Camille Montes has the
role of an action heroine alongside Bond but is also regarded as an attractive and sexual image.
Whereas Judi Dench who has the role M is an established actress who gives the film credence but
again plays a secondary and minor role.
The way Quantum of Solace objectifies women throughout the film is typical of the way women are
treated in the action/thriller genre.
The comedy genre is the oldest of film genres because the early silent movies relied on visual actions
to evoke laughter and or humour from the audience. Comedy could be considered the most versatile
genre as it is able to be produced alongside many other genres. Comedy can be utilised in two
different ways, these ways being structured gags and sketches in films such as “Dumb and Dumber”
(1994). The other way in which it can be utilised would be comedy situation with a more coherent
narrative such as “The Big Lebowski” (1998).

4. In comparison of Quantum of Solace, Leon defies the action/thriller genre. Although Leon starts off
by apparently following the conventions of action/thriller films with its opening sequence tracking
over New York Central Park and then tracks down even more to go down a street which the ends up
in a seedy neighbourhood, unlike Quantum of Solace which uses exotic locations, but it does make
reference to exotic location by tracking into Little Italy, a district of New York.
Leon uses inverted conventions compared to Quantum of Solace as the good becomes evil and the
evil becomes good as the film progresses. Leon becomes the hero because of how he takes Mathilda
under his wing when her family is killed despite being a hitman. The audience would expect the cops
to be the force for good but they are corrupt because they are who kill Mathilda’s family.
Leon defies conventions again when Mathilda who is a child acts much more mature and comes
across to the viewer as older than she is because she ends up caring for Leon. Whereas Leon who is
an adult comes across as childlike because he struggles to show his emotion which almost makes
him seem immature.
Leon doesn’t follow convention when bad defeats good. The convention of action/thriller films
normally end up with good defeating evil for a happy ending. This doesn’t happen in Leon as Leon is
killed by the corrupt cop.
Leon is an example of an auteur director, the director of Leon being Luc Besson.
Quentin Tarantino began his career as an auteur director with the release of Reservoir Dogs in 1992.
It is now regarded as a classic and cult hit. Empire magazine regarded it as the “greatest
independent film of all time”. However his best and most critically acclaimed film is Pulp Fiction
(1994). Tarantino directs in a highly stylized manner. He uses intersecting storylines with
considerable time being devoted to conversations and monologues that reveal characters sense of
humour and private lives. Pulp Fiction is presented out of chronological sequence. This is a film of
self-reflexivity, unconventional structure with extensive reference to homage and pastiche.

5. In my opinion Rian Johnson is an auteur director. This can illustrated through the film Looper (2012).
This is a sci-fi film but does not follow the expected conventions of films within this genre. Johnson is
the writer / director of Looper who moves up a level from the previous productions of Brick (2005)
and The Brothers Bloom (2008), to deliver a film showing the post economic collapse of society
through an interesting divide of city and country, together with comic book action sequences using
hover bikes and oversized weapons.
But in a break from conventional sci-fi genre films, Johnson develops unusual characterisations and
makes use of dialogue so that the world in which the film exists has realism and a sense of
understanding for its characters. In particular the role of Sara (Emily Blunt) is not stereotypical of the
female lead that the heroes can fight over. Her character nurtures various secrets that come to play
to a significant degree.
Although there are similarities to and references about Terminator and 12 Monkeys, with older Joe
deciding to murder the crime boss of the future, the film takes an unexpected approach to the issue.
Looper is intelligent sci-fi that creates a balance between too much physics and too many
explosions.
It is important and significant for the film industry as a whole to have conventional genre and auteur
film within this industry. Although the conventional genre film can create the block buster image and
draw an audience participation to be translated into box-office success, the auteur directed film also
has an important role to play. The more auteur structures and identities there are that enter into
general circulation and become visible, the more expectations are raised and fulfilment is sought by
audiences who are always on the lookout for patterns of repetition and variation as part of the
pleasure of cinema.