Fishtank is a 2009 film written and directed by Andrea Arnold. It was called Fishtank due to the fact the characters were trapped in a terrible society with no escape or plan to reach a more upper class life. This film stared Katie Jarvis(also know as Sadie Burns in her most recent 2014 series Suspects). Jarvis takes up the role of the independent yet unfortunate teen, when we follow her through the film learning the struggles she faces living in a rough neighbourhood. Arnold makes it clear throughout the 97 minute screening that Katie is the main protagonist as we see the dream of getting a career in dancing evolve, due to the mothers boyfriends (Michaek Fassbender)positive attitude and encouragement.
Straight away in the introduction of the film we are able to identify the genre(Social Realism) and minimal themes(Hate,Poverty,Betrayal). As the narrative goes on the themes increase as Katie inherits a variety of different emotions(Love,Jealousy and Relationship) towards the other characters, for example: towards the being of the film Katie despises her mother as she viewers her as a bad role model for her younger sister Tyler and how she does not show passion for their insistence, however towards the end of the film Katie's feelings towards her mum switch as she understands her mums effort to keep the family save and off the streets.
Andrea Arnold also made the 2003 Wasp film which also includes a lower class family struggling with poverty. How these two films relate is clever due to two different narratives yet very similar characters.
As director of this well thought out production Arnold knew the exact camera shots she wanted…which was a lot. Multiple shot sizes were used constantly throughout however the strongest shot i thought was the extremely long shot towards the beginning when Katie walked through the neighbourhood. I liked this shot in particular because it gave us a strong and clear view of how her estate and daily routine looked.
Much Mise En Scene was used such as the variety of clothing, change of scenery and most definitely body language.My favourite use of Mise En Scene though had to be the Red balloon being released at the closing of the last scene. I particularly liked this because it represented her letting go of her terrible past and focusing on the future of her and her family. This film ended with very minimal themes accept the strongest of them all Hope.
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