Historical Case Study Notes

Historical Case Study Notes

 

Quadrophenia (1979) Dir. Frank Roddam

 

1.    Discuss the representation and ideological values of Jimmy, Steph and Kevin. Use textual examples to back up points made.

In Quadrophenia Jimmy is represented as a very disillusioned youth, he lost his home; his job and now has no future. He also lost ‘his girl’ to a fellow mod one who is supposed to have his back. These friends were supposed to be an outlet for his disappointing regular life, but they where nowhere near as invested in the mod life style as jimmy was, he was completely consumed in being part of a gang, being a mod was his life. When his view of a perfect mod (Ace) was compromised he lost the desire to be a mod and part of a gang. When Kevin is beaten up his identity is compromised as he struggles to decide between saving a friend or his role as a mod in hating rockers, and so leaves him to be beaten. In all aspects of his life Jimmy is stereotyped, at home as a freak and a typical rebelling teen. At work h e is an errand boy with no respect and as a mod he must behave like them or be considered not a mod. Steph is represented as also being a mod but a feminine one, as opposed to the other androgynous females like Monkey. Kevin is represented as a rocker, he wants more than anything to be an individual and hates taking orders which is one of the reasons he left the army he tells Jimmy.                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

2.    What examples of mise en scene reinforce the idea of youth culture?

The clothing and accessories worn by both ‘gangs’ presents the youth as rebels and completely different from the older generation. The rockers are shown as classic rebels leather clothes, untamed hair, big heavy black boots. Each gangs music choice also reflects this idea of youth culture, rockers listen rock and roll and mods listen to classic British music.

 

3.    “Identity is complicated” – How can this quote be applied to the character of Jimmy?

 This quote can be applied to Jimmy as he desperately trying to find his own identity. He wants to be the best mod but things like old friends turning out to be a rocker and then being beaten up makes him struggle to know what he stands for. He seems to have multiple identities each different but all face the same disrespect. At home he is a typical teen and has constant arguments with his parents and he feels that they do not understand him and likewise he has no respect for them, as they are old. At work he is constantly bossed around doing mindless tasks, the other workers want him to work quicker and think he is a young rebel and should think him lucky he has a job when many don’t. In his gang the others don’t take him all that seriously as he is consumed by being a mod and while the other like it they have more important aspects of their lives.

 

4.    Can you draw any similarities between the youth representation of the past compared to youth representation today?

Some similarities between how youths were presented then and presented now is that they were presented as out of control people who live for themselves with no respect for the elder generations especially those in authority. Even now youths are presented as being undesirable, they are shown as loud and out of control. This is further emphasised by things such as the riots what was a small amount of teens has made it so all teens are classified the same. As in the film of quadrephenia teens are torn with the same brush

 

5.    Discuss how Stan Cohen’s theory can be related to this film.

Cohen’s theory of moral panic can be related to this movie in regards to the gang fights at Brighton some of the youths there did not engage in fighting yet were treated with the same brutality by the police as if they actively participated in the riots. The assumption was that if they look to be part of the gang they even by association they too are guilty.

 

Clockwork Orange

 1.Discuss the background to the film.

 

2.How was the film reported by the press and how did the youths of the time relate to the film?

Since the release of clockwork orange similar crimes have been committed by people mainly teens after watching said video. The film was reported to be promoting violence and despite the teens saying otherwise later actions prove the media right. Such actions were in 2005 two teen girls murdered a homosexual man replicating the film. The director of the film pulled the movie feeling guilty at playing a part in promoting large acts of violence.

 

3.How can Stan Cohen’s theory be related to this film?