Exam Question Response: La Haine

How far does the impact of the films you have studied for this topic depend on distinctive uses of film techniques?

La Haine is a french film about riots that occurred during the 1990s in Paris, France and the surrounding areas. These riots were about the French banlieues, which are the living areas in Paris for immigrants and non-French people. This includes people of religion such as Jewish, Islamic and even Afro-French people, which are the religions of the three people who feature in the film. The film's main text is the after effects in these places in the 24 hours after the riots took place. This has a major impact on me because this instantly makes the film a true story because as I know from my own knowledge, these riots did happen around 1995. I think La Haine depends on distinctive film techniques during the film to make it so believable and to make people realise that these events did occur almost 20 years ago.

I think that the main sequence that shows this is the sequence after the montage at the very beginning of the film. The non-diegetic music fades out and this music is not typical French music, as it is Reggae, which is typically associated with Jamaican people. The fade in music shows that, just like any other, this riot faded out and people stopped destroying stuff and fighting. A news report then starts and a French woman begins talking. We continue to see the montage as almost a POV shot as it shows the riots how you would typically see them if you were watching them on the news. The media is also a big influence in this film, and also influences a certain character in this film too. The news report states that a young person named "Abdul Ichaha is in a critical condition in hospital" after being beaten by a police officer during the riots.

This has an effect on me because I think that is disgusting behaviour, and that would never happen here in England. The media seems to influence these young men too, as they are making a 'typical American gangster pose' that would probably be seen in a modern gangster film. Halfway through this news report there is a transition that looks like a television being turned off, which gives the impression that people living in Paris would do this because they don't really care about things like riots going on in the banlieues. Then a clock stating the time 10:38 appears on the screen and this is accompanied by a ticking clock sound. This makes it clear to me that the film is about time and shows that, especially in this situation, time is very limited. There is then a straight cut to see Saïd, an Arab who lives in the French banlieues because he is an immigrant. There is a shot noise which sounds like a gun being fired as it cuts to see Saïd. This makes me realise that something is about to happen and I start to get apprehensive about what this may be. There is a slow close up on to Saïd's face, and he has his eyes closed, with no diegetic sound around him. Then once he opens his eyes the diegetic sound resumes and this represents Saïd coming back to reality and opening his eyes to what has really happened during the riots.

There is then a straight cut to see the back of Saïd and this represents that the film will be from Saïd's point of view. You can hear a helicopter overhead and this is a constant reminder that the people that live in the banlieues are always being watched and can't escape. The camera goes over Saïd's head and we see a line of police officers. This clearly shows the conflict between the authorities and the people living in the banlieues. The camera then cuts to pan across the line of officers in a wide shot. With their stances, you can see that the police have power over people. Before the pan, there are two young people who walk across the shot and they seem intimidated by the row of authorities.  You can also see there is poverty around the banlieues as there is graffiti on the wall behind Saïd's close up in a previous shot. The same reggae music from the montage becomes diegetic sound in this sequence as it is being played in the background. The point of poverty and conflict becomes even more clear as the camera continues to pan around to the back of a police van, where Saïd is vandalising it. You can see conflict from this because he writes 'Fuck The Police' along with his name.

This shows a sense of identity, which is needed in the banlieues and is a common theme amongst the characters in this film.

I think that the film techniques used make me, as a viewer, feel different ways such as tense because of the sound effects and camera shots used.

Annotated Catalogue

Subject: Tim Burton

Focus of Study: Auteur/Recurring Actor
Resources: 3x Chosen Films
6x Books
8x Internet
3x Images
2x Interview
1x Magazine
1x Sound

Title/Question:
Can Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's screen collaborations be seen as an auteur approach?

Films:
Item 1- Edward Scissorhands (1990)
I chose this film as my feature film because this one of the first films Burton and Johnny Depp did together and it is notably the most successful of Burton's career. Edward Scissorhands (played by Depp) is about a young boy with scissors for hands who is an 'outcast character' to the neighbourhood.  I am going to use this film to answer my question by showing how the title character is 'moody and dark' and represents Burton and his personality. I will also be showing how Johnny Depp has a certain acting quality that Burton likes in his films. Edward Scissorhands is certainly a suitable feature film for this question as Edward Scissorhands is Burton's own story whereas most of his other films are adaptations of past films. (Extremely Useful)

Item 2- Alice In Wonderland (2010)
Alice In Wonderland is my second film of study because it continues to support the Burton and Depp relationship theory. Alice In Wonderland is about a young girl who falls 'down the rabbit hole' and meets the Mad Hatter (played by Depp) and uncovers a make-believe land. This film again reflects Burton's personality as it is weird yet visually imaginative. I will use this film to back up the other answers to my question as it shows that despite not being the main character, Depp is still featured in the cast. I will also explore how Depp is extremely versatile and can be shaped to look very different, just like he does in this film, and if this is another reason for the recurring use of him. (Useful)
                                                       
Item 3- Sweeney Todd (2007)
Sweeney Todd also stars Johnny Depp and again the character has a similar personality and also has a dark past like Burton. Depp plays the main character once again and is a successful film, just like all the others the previous ones the 'duo' have made together. Sweeney Todd is about a barber and serial killer who murders his customers with a straight razor and processes their corpses into meat pies. The film is undoubtedly dark and moody. I plan to use this film to answer my question by pointing out how Johnny Depp is comfortable playing Burton's dark characters and how this shows through the success of the film. (Useful)

Books:
Item 4- "Tim Burton Interviews - Bert Cardullo/edited by Kristian Fraga (2005)" 
This book features many different interviews with Tim Burton as well as others such as Johnny Depp. In this book there are roughly five different passages that I may be able to use to answer my question and back up my other answers too. All passages are Burton being asked questions about his working style and techniques. I will use quotes from these questions and responses such as this to answer my question because they are direct quotes from Burton himself. (Very Useful)

Item 5- "Pocket Essentials Film Tim Burton - Michelle Le Blanc and Colin Odell (2001)"
The Pocket Essentials books are all very informative and this one about Tim Burton is no different. This book features information about Edward Scissorhands which backs up all theories I have which answer my question in regard to this film. I will also use quotes from the book to answer any questions about why Edward Scissorhands is played by Depp and if the character has any relation to Burton. (Useful)

Item 6- "Burton on Burton- Foreword by Johnny Depp, Edited by Mark Salisbury (2006)"
This book features many pages about my feature film, Edward Scissorhands, and about the ideas and making of it. This book features many original drawings of what Burton wanted Edward to look like and it then compares the original to Depp. The book also then has Burton explain the reasons for these ideas and talks about Edward's similarities to Burton. I am going to use this book to answer my question by making use of the comparisons and original ideas. (Useful)

Item 7- "Johnny Depp-A Kind of Illusion, by Denis Meikle (2004)"

This book features many useable quotes from Johnny Depp about his relationship with Tim Burton. I am going to use these I my research. However I am also going to quote a certain page (page 92), which will allow me to argue against my question as it shows that Burton was unsure about Depp before their working relationship started. (Useful)

Item 8- "Teach Yourself Film Studies-Warren Buckland (2008)"
This book features a large and specific section on Auteur Theory, which is a main part of my study. I am going to use this to explain what the theory is and why Burton may be seen as an auteur. (Extremely Useful)

Item 9- "Adventures In The Screen Trade- William Goldman (1983)"
This book features a counter-arguement to the Auteur Theory by Goldman, which I am going to use to argue against my answer as it is something that I have not yet considered to talk about in my presentation. (Useful)

Internet:
Item 10- "http://movies.about.com/od/thecorpsebride/a/corpse091405.htm"
This is an interview with Johnny Depp. In this he talks about Tim Burton and their relationship, especially when working together. I am going to use quotes from this item to answer Johnny Depp's perspective on the duo's relationship and how the process occurs. I will also use this interview to further my other answers to the question such as whether Johnny Depp is a reflection on Tim Burton. (Useful)

Item 11- "http://h2g2.com/approved_entry/A22928772"
This is a definition of Auteur Theory, which is part of the subject matter for my project. I am exploring this theory and researching whether Tim Burton can be classed as an auteur. This website also uses Burton as a case study which I am going to use quotes from as it answers and summarises my question answer. (Extremely Useful)

Item 12- "http://www.starpulse.com/news/Stephanie_Nolasco/2010/05/24/qa_with_alice_in_wonderlands_tim_burto"
This is an online interview with Tim Burton where he is being asked questions about his film Alice In Wonderland (which is my third chosen film). The interviewer asks Burton two questions about Johnny Depp and he gives a positive answer however doesn't really go into depth about his answer whereas in other interviews he has. I am going to use this piece by using quotes from Burton's answer, however I am also going to use this item to argue against my own question. (Useful)

Item 13- "http://www.totalfilm.com/features/interview-with-tim-burton" 
This is an interview with Burton, in which he is asked about Johnny Depp and answers with a possible reason as to why he used him in Edward Scissorhands. However this interview also features a question about Helena Bonham Carter, another actress who Burton often uses in his films. This interview will be similar to Item 12 and it will be used to answer, as well as debate against my question. (Useful)

Item 14- "http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/film/features/20767-qaa-johnny-depp-a-tim-burton"
This is an question and answer session with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. The pair are asked questions about their relationship and they both give in-depth answers. I am going to use this item by quoting some of the relevant responses to answer my question and influence my research. This makes the item useful. (Useful)

Item 15- "http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1632397/johnny-depp-tim-burton-talk-about-their-long-history.jhtml"
This is another interview with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, where they are both asked questions about their film, Alice In Wonderland. Burton is asked why Depp is always used in his films and he replies with an answer which states that he only casts Depp if he knows that he'll be able to play the character in question. I am going to quote this to answer my question, however I am also going to use a quote from the article which talks about Depp's amount of screen time which isn't a huge amount. This quote will be used to argue against my question.

Item 16- "http://letterboxd.com/adrian/list/best-buds-johnny-depp-tim-burton/"
This is a summary of Burton and Depp's films, which includes the year it was made. Once you click on the film poster, the link shows you a small plot analysis which tells you what the film's story is, as well as showing people's reviews and thoughts about the film, many of which mention Burton and Depp's pairing. I am going to quote some of the (relevant) comments about the film as this will back up some of my previous answers. (Useful)

Item 17- "http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092312/"
This is the IMBd page for 21 Jump Street, the television series which stared Johnny Depp before he met Tim Burton and was cast in Edward Scissorhands. This is to be used in my presentation when I talk about before Johnny met Burton. (Useful)

Item 18- "http://www.totalfilm.com/features/50-greatest-tim-burton-characters/edward-scissorhands-edward-scissorhands-1990"
This is a ranking of Tim Burton's best characters, where Edward Scissorhands ranks as number 1. There is an explanation below the image of the character where it is stated how similar Edward is to Burton. I am going to quote this part of the site in my presentation as this helps influence my answer. (Useful)

Item 19- "http://timburton.wikia.com/wiki/Vincent_Price"
This is a Tim Burton 'wiki' page on Vincent Price. This features a small piece of text that states what Tim Burton and Price have worked together in, which I am going to use in my answer. (Useful)

Item 20- "http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099487/"
This is the IMDb page for Edward Scissorhands which features information about the film. I will use this information in my presentation.

Interview:
Item 21- "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4ClVG10TYg"
This is an interview with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, which took place Arsenio's Hall in 1990. This was the year that Edward Scissorhands (my feature film) was produced and released in cinemas. In this interview the duo get asked about things such as; where the idea for the film came from, what Edward's personality is like and they also talk about how successful the film was and would be in the future. I am going to use quotes from this interview to answer my question as they get asked them during the interview. (Useful)

Item 22- "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clu6s7DfJnA"
This is an interview where Jonathan Ross talks to Johnny Depp and Burton about 21 Jump Street in a interview with him and Burton. This is going to be shown as Johnny talks about going from being in 21 Jump Street to in Edward Scissorhands.

Images:
Item 23- "http://artoftimburton.tumblr.com/image/28865702677"
This is an drawing of Edward Scissorhands, which Tim Burton drew as a teenager. I am going to use this image as a visual aid and explain my views on how I think this drawing looks like Johnny Depp, even though the pair didn't know each other until 1990. (Useful)

Item 24- "http://herocomplex.latimes.com/books/tim-burton-opens-up-about-his-weird-mental-process/"
This is a photograph of Tim Burton. This is going to be used as a visual aid for my audience so they can see what Burton looks like and if they are unfamiliar with his appearance, this will help.

Item 25- "http://www.johnnydeppfan.com/portraits/p318.jpg"
This is an image of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton which will be used as a visual aid during my presentation.

Item 26- "http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2011/05/memories-of-vincent-price-for-his-centennial-celebration/"
This is a image of Vincent Price, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp on the set of Edward Scissorhands. This will be used as a visual aid in my presentation.

Magazines:
Item 27- "http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/deppandburton0108"
This is a magazine article which includes an interview with both Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. I am going to use the start of the interview in which Burton gives an answer to my question from his own personal perspective. I am going to quote this as this will support the rest of my answer. (Useful)

Sound:
Item 28- "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NogOtenplCM"
This is the theme song for Tim Burton's film Edward Scissorhands. This will be played at the very start of my presentation.

Newspaper:
Item 29- "http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/tim-burton-helena-bonham-carter-2349458"
This is an online newspaper article about Burton and Helena Bonham Carter, which states at the end how long the couple have been in a relationship. This is going to be used while arguing against my answer. (Useful)

Rejected Items
Book "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (Updated Edition)- Preface by Jason Solomons, General Editor - Steven Jay Schneider."
This book basically told me what happened in the film and didn't really offer any new information which would answer my question. There was only one page, in which it stated what happened in the film, of which I already knew, therefore I will not be using this in my research.

Internet "http://sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/burton/"
This is an article about Tim Burton and his work over the years. Featured in this article is an analysis of Burton's film, Edward Scissorhands. However, despite Edward Scissorhands being my feature film, I am not going to use this item because the text features no relevance to my question in which I could use to answer it.

Interview "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl6ymkucHAs"
This is an interview with Tim Burton, here he talks about his most recent film, Frankenweenie. In this interview, Burton talks about his film as well as his love of stop motion, however this is no use to me as none of my chosen films are stop motions, such as Corpse Bride. Burton doesn't mention Johnny Depp as he doesn't feature in the cast of this film, therefore this item is invalid to my research and I won't be using it.