James - 4 short film (4)

Film Title: Support 

Director: Borkur Sigþórsson

Date of Production: 2008

Watched on: www.youtube.com

Summary of Film: A man in hospital tries to take his own life by turning off his support machines, but accidentally turns off the machine on the man next to him

Representation

• I think this film represents those who suffer from dpression. The film involves highlighted issues such as suicide, and murder. Finally, the film has it's own representation of a hospital (or so I assume).
• I'd say the genre of the film is Thriller. This is because of the attempted suicide, the murder, and the mise en scene of the hospital. The colours seem simple, the room looks dull yet scary, and the man looks rough. This can represents depression in my eyes
• The main character is a stereotypical representation of someone with depression. The man next to him (who he accidentally kills) represents the family of a suicide. The main man didn't think about him and how it would effect others around him. The man looks depressed, this is due to his appearance facial expressions. 

• I feel the issues in this film are adult matters and therefore shape the intended audience. I feel the film is for males aged 18+. I feel it's aimed at men due to the fact ever character in the film is male, making it harder for women to relate to the film.
• The film deals with suicide. Why? I think, to make people think twice about committing suicide and to make them see how their decision can effect those around them. How? By the main character accidentally killing the man next to him, he had no thought about what he was doing, he didn't think about others around him, and how it could effect them. 

Narrative

• Plot - Man attempts to commit suicide but accidentally kills an innocent man instead of himself
• Story - A man in hospital, tries to commit suicide by turning of his life support machine. However he accidentally turns off the wrong machine resulting in the lying next to him dying.
• This film is shot in linear narrative. This builds suspense and surprise by the audience not knowing what will happen, and being left to guess.
•  Todorov's theory cannot be applied to this film. This is because...

1. There is no state of equilibrium 
2. An attempt to repair the disruption (wrong man dies) 
3. There simply are not 5 stages.

• The start of the film is very simple, we know what the man wants to do. However their is a twist at the end. Resulting in no closure and questions being asked about the characters.

Genre

• I can identify Thriller but nothing else. This is due to the actions in the film, e.g death, attempted suicide, depression. 
• Short films tend to experiment with genre, and can create hybrid genre films. This is down to the fact that the directors have little to loose and a lot to gain as short films are usually shot on a low budgets and are not aimed at the general public. therefore meaning short films have less boundaries than blockbusters. It's also a chance for the director and the rest of the team to get noticed and land a big job.
• John Fiske states genre is an "attempt to structure some order into the wide range of texts and meanings that circulate in our culture for the convenience of both the audiences and producers". The structure of this film can be easily identifiable as thriller, guaranteeing an audience. 
• The appeal of using genre codes is because audiences can identify the film, and categorise it. This also makes sure people who enjoy thrillers can recognise it as a thriller and expect certain qualities. Such as the big twist (wrong man dies) and death.

Audience

• Anyone can watch this film due to it being on youtube. People of all ages and both genders can access this film easily. However, I don't feel this film is aimed at everyone. This film is aimed at adults in my opinion. This is because most thrillers (because of the content) have certificates of 18 (some lower). I'd say mostly males watch thrillers, but I'm being stereotypical.
• The film contains many classic Thriller traits, such as death, surprise, and suspense. Therefore the audience will not be disappointed and will have an idea of what to expect, yet still able to wonder and question what might happen.
• The film can be seen on...

1. www.vimeo.com
2. www.youtube.com
3. www.dailymotion.com

All are video sharing sites

• The film has not won any awards but has been nominated for many.
• There is no production company used in this film, just individuals.