Initial response
Brief plot overview:
A series of different characters with various backgrounds, whose stories all collide with a crash.
Discuss a character that was of interest to you and explain why?
The character that was of interest to me was Graham Waters. He interested me because of how he was treated. He tries to do everything for everyone and then gets blamed for his brother’s death. He is constantly working for everyone and no one notices. His mother even goes to say that she knows who caused her sons death “you did”, referring to Graham. He tried to help but he was so busy helping everyone else, then his mother tells him to blame himself for the death of Peter. Causing the death of someone can ruin anyone life but he was told that he was responsible for it from his mother, who he does so much for. This is important because this is the scene that helps to show how relatable he is. Graham is a very relatable character as many people work to do everything for everyone, but are not noticed for doing so. This is why Graham was of interest to me.
What do you believe the director’s intention was. Explore this and the moments that allowed you to experience this.
The director intended to portray the racism that is prevalent on the streets of L.A. and America in general. This was achieved through so of the scenes in the film. One of these moments was when Peter and Anthony were on the streets of L.A. and speaking about how they asked themselves ” Are we dressed like gang-bangers? Do we look threatening?” They would continue this and then put it down to being coloured. They are sharing how they feel unaccepted in society and the next crimes they commit are just what they are expected to do. If you doing expect anything higher of coloured citizens other than being thief’s and bad people, then many will not aspire to be anything more. Paul Haggis has effectively used the language used by Peter and Anthony to show the racism commonly found and affecting peoples lives.
How did Haggis use stereotypes to manipulate viewers
Paul Haggis effectively used stereotypes to manipulate viewers to think a certain way about the characters. This was used with Jean and Rick. Haggis used the stereotypes of rich people to create their characters. They were rich, well dressed, had a nice house and car, and were a target for thieves. This overview of the characters is perfectly lined up with the stereotypes of rich people in society nowadays. Having more money makes you a target, but for Jean and Rick, anyone in their home with less money than them will take their keys and sell them so others steal from there and they are paranoid about everything. This is using the stereotypes of the characters to get viewers to think of them as the victims and
Discuss and research the setting of L.A. Why do you think it was set here and how did it influence the plot/interactions? (911)
Placing the setting in L.A. was a bold but well-done choice. The scene shows how prevalent racism and classism are along with the sexism that is also found. These themes were common and important as they show…
Where there any cinematography techniques that stood out to you? Choose one and discuss it’s effect ( presenting directors intention, causing a viewer realisation.)
A Cinematography technique that stood out to me was when Farhad Golzari almost shot Lara. When this scene played out, there was quiet music then the screen was almost frozen. This was a clever cinematography technique that helps create the emphasis that leads the viewers to belive Lara has been shot. It stood out to me because of the way that you know Farhad Golzari will shoot Daniel Ruiz. A plot twist has already taken place when Lara comes out to help her daddy. The realization that Lara is still delayed and so it leads the viewers to believe that she could be dead as she is so still, but then the relief flows through their veins. This was accurately executed as the viewer’s reactions are in line with the director’s intention. It stood out to me by looking at the reactions of my family when they witnessed this scene. I straight away could see that their reactions were what the Director intended and this is why I think it is a clever scene and stood out to me.