Film Response - If...

If... is a semi surrealist controversial drama directed by Lindsay Anderson and is arguably one of his most highly acclaimed films. It focuses on a group of 3 sixth form boys attending private school in the 1960's. It attempts to depict the combination of frustration, anger and self exploration as well as looking at the distortion and warped reality that is illustrated as appearing in may form within the characters and school system.

Anderson manages to truly capture and reflect the emotions had by  the main character Mick Travis and heightens the frivolousness and repressive nature of the private education system. The somewhat surrealist elements to the film help to get inside the imaginative yet  troubled mind of the students and depict the view they have.  The combination of colour as well as black and white filming also contributes to attaining this and merging the lines between reality and fantasy.

It embraces an anti establishment message both with its use of violence but also clever use of satirical comedy and although these scenes can be described as somewhat controversial it stylistically suits the film, working well to shock the audience.

Film Response - Georgy Girl

Released in 1966 and starring Lynn Redgrave, Georgy Girl follows protagonist Georgy as she attempts to find her place in the newly changing 60's society. Georgy's character is set up and portrayed especially well but this goes for all the characters within the film, the audience quite easily gains insight into the characters and their drives. A criticism of the film however is the endings within the narrative lack resolutions and therefore leave the audience sometimes feeling mildly bewildered with the direction the story has taken. This is demonstrated by the exit of characters Meredith and Jos, Meredith's ignored exit is passable due to the perception of the character but Jos disappears with virtually no reasoning. There is a good binary opposition within the narrative however, where Georgy seems to want to fit in with many of the fashions and social changes of the 60's and even though she goes in her own unconventional way of attaining them, really all she wants is to be married with a baby in a normal family home.

Georgy Girl - Scene Analysis

With reference to the opening of the film text Georgy Girl detail how it represents the myth and reality of "Swinging Britain"

The scene opens with very upbeat music but the song lyrics are rather pessimistic. As well as giving a brief introduction to the character, almost narrating the scene, the song can be conceived as a metaphor for the way the Swinging 60's was envisioned; a fun and fancy free time but however it was actually this period of rapid social  change brought with it a variety of underlying problems, mostly to do with many people hadn't caught up with he generational changes. This in many ways encapsulates the main character Georgy who although has fairly traditional goals she wishes to achieve has an unconventional way of attaining them, giving off the illusion that she is up to date with the times.

There was an element of the swinging 60's that believed highly in new fashions and the ability that they could help to reinvent people. When Georgy exits the hairdressers she runs away and wets her hair almost as if she's afraid of the change and isn't ready for the new aspects of the 60's, shes much happier and more comfortable without the experimental and boundary pushing ideas taken on by so many of the time. For example even though her hair is dripping wet and looks awful she looks at herself in the mirror and smiles.

Film Response - Up the Junction

In the film there are numerous strong female protagonists such as Polly, Ruby and Silvy. Although it does show the typical representation of masculinity that was thought acceptable of the time it begins to question it and this is shown through the characters and their responses. It closely looks closely at the perception of gender and class roles within society especially in the 60’s; where society was rapidly changing. The audience it appeals to is mainly young people as it follows the everyday lives of young people; it reflects their position of attaining identity. The film overall is very relatable to the audience for a variety of reasons. To audiences of the time it reflects the way young people were questioning societal roles and social norms such as attitudes to women and class. It’s stood the test of time though and can still be found relatable to today’s audiences because it follows a young woman searching for independence and finding her identity which will always be relatable to young people, and is a key part of growing up.  The main character of Polly though doesn’t come across as being incredibly realistic which does create some issues with the reliability of the film, but it does represent the idea that “the grass is always greener”. It showed a much grittier side of the Swinging 60’s as opposed to the almost airbrushed view that we get from many other films of the time. Nice representation of change through the use of a female protagonist.