The setting in a film sets up the premise of the film, and through this the main ideas that the director wants to share. One such example of this is in Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption. The film uses visual/verbal techniques to portray Shawshank prison as a place of despair which is a major theme in the film. Frank Darabont’s life as a refugee lends itself to directing films such as The Shawshank Redemption to illustrate themes such as despair which are intimate in the life of a refugee. Techniques such as lighting, cinematography and sound are used to show the hopelessness of the prisoners’ situation within Shawshank’s walls and thus the theme of despair becomes evident.
Lighting is a visual technique used to establish Shawshank
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Through the usage of different camera shots, Shawshank prison is able to be showcased as such and, consequently, develop the recurring theme of despair prevalent throughout the film. The bird's-eye-view shot of the prison shows its vastness and bleakness. The expanse of the prison, itself, makes us feel powerless. We, as the prisoners do, feel entrapped by the sheer magnitude of the prison. Additionally, all colour appears to have been wiped off the screen and all we can see are greys and blacks. As mentioned previously, grey is a colour associated with grief and despair. Being the predominant and, perhaps, only ‘colour’ showcased in this shot, the prison emanates a sense of despair and leaves us feeling somewhat dejected. Shortly after, a low angle shot of the prison walls are used. The shot is viewed from the perspective of Andy, the protagonist, and is done so deliberately to make us as an audience experience what the prisoners walking into prison feel. The walls of the prison which tower above Andy make us feel completely inferior and establishes the prison as being superior and having total control and power over us. This subtlety hints at the authoritarian control that the prison has over the prisoners’ lives where their human dignity is simply taken away from them. Furthermore, the prison walls are grey and black in colour which, again, establishes a sense of despair. The two shots and the setting, altogether, create a climate of hopelessness wherein the prisoners are set to face certain doom and
Society can be very cruel; hopes and dreams can become reality or vanish away into the shivering winds. It is important to maintain hope when life is crumbling around you and freedom is what humans strive for in order to execute what they please during their existence on earth. Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King, is a clear example of freedom combined with hope, illustrated by the characters of Andy Dufresne and Red. Andy, like Red, never loses hope of leaving prison; furthermore they gain a sense of freedom when departing from Shawshank. Having beliefs, in addition to fighting for what you believe is right are virtues that help you to strive for success which ultimately, lets you reach for freedom and hope.
Relations during this time with the prison and the outside world are discussed, as well as how these relations dominated life inside of a prison and developed new challenges within the prison. After Ragen left, Frank Pate become his successors. Pate faced a problem because he neither sought nor exercised the charismatic authority of Ragen. The Prison remained an imperatively coordinated paramilitary organization, which still required its warden to personify its goals and values. Jacobs goes on to discusses how what Pate did, was not the same direction or ideas that Ragen was doing or had. Jacobs’s counties this discussion with the challenges and issues that prison had during the time of 1961 through 1970. Jacobs blames that the loss of a warden who could command absolute authority, the loss of local autonomy, it heightened race problems among blacks, and the penetration of legal norms exposed severe strains in the authrotitarian system, and says pate cant control
...sion. It is obvious that all of the men are oppressed because they are in prison however the uniforms the prisoners wear reflect oppression because it shows how much time has passed with very little change, it also shows that they lack individuality as a result of their oppression. Darabont battles this idea of oppression with the use lighting to show hope. The oak tree scene and the final scene where Red and Andy are reunited on the beach are lit up and full of colour, reflecting hope and freedom.
'Rita Haywort and the Shawshank Redemption' was first presented in 1982, by Stephen King and hooked the hearts of the world's readers. Literature reviews were immediately written about the book and quickly recognized as one of the years best. Rek Rehn, a book reviewer for Mouth Shut.com Wrote: 'This book is the jewel of the crown, a tender tale of hope, friendship and retribution.' Years later in 1994, Shawshank Redemption was again recognized by a wider audience. It was released as a major motion picture directed by Frank Darabont. The film presented very respectable actors, such as Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. 'The Shawshank Redemption creates a warm hold on our feelings because it makes us a member of a family. Many movies offer us vicarious experiences and quick, superficial emotions. Shawshank slows down and looks,' said Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times. Although Shawshank Redemption is a excellent film, it is interesting to see that three obvious times the movie goes astray are when the director Mr. Darabont, chose to revise Kings book. It was not a good idea in all three cases. Steven king was the one with the better idea.
With the use of contrast, the photographer allows the viewer to move around the photo and keep them to remain interested. One thing that captures the attention of the audience is the “fuck the police” phrase spray painted in white against a blue mail carrier. Although it is a very derogatory statement, it has a much more deeper meaning behind it. This phrase represents the fight that African Americans have been dealing with for decades now against police brutality and the injustice they face. Also, it’s a cry for help, all these people want is for the police brutality to end and to be treated with the respect they deserve. They are hurt and tired of having to fight for the exact same things that their ancestors before them have had to fight for. The sole reason that this statement became such a popular phrase was due to the famous rap group N.W.A. These individuals created the song “Fuck Tha Police”, which discussed the police brutality that young African American men face. This song was released in the late 1980’s, but still to this very day it’s still very relatable to what has been occurring as of late in our society. In fact, the majority of the protest that have been occurring are seen to be using this phrase quite
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1997 drama film which takes place in a prison during the late 40’s. The film focuses on Andy Dufresne’s transition from his old life as banker to becoming a prisoner in the Shawshank penitentiary. The life shown in the Shawshank penitentiary is similar to that of normal society such as norms, economic transactions, and functions both prisoners and the officials. The roles the prisoners and officials take shows that Functionalism does not only take place in a normal functioning society, it also takes place in a total institution such as the prison shown in the film.
Within the film, prison culture illustrates the subculture within Shawshank State Prison. Prison culture and the Inmate Code dictate the typical rules and values that have emerged in prisons (Clear, 2006). The aggression of both prison guards and inmates, as well as the punishments and sanctions imposed for deviant behavior highlight the prison subculture. Throughout the film, the inmates showcase certain distinctive markers of the subculture that set the group apart from the dominant culture because they use cigarettes as currency, engage in violence, establish specific roles and identity, and share similar goals and values, such as
Swaying trees in the distance, blue skies and birds chirping, all of these are examples of setting. Setting can create the mood and tone of characters in a story. In the story Hills Like White Elephants, the story starts out with our two characters, Jig and the American, also referred to as the man, on a train overlooking mountains. “The girl was looking off at the line of hills. They were white in the sun and the country was brown and dry” (Hemingway).
Although colors are usually represented and used for the recollection of joyful experiences, Death uses the colors of the spectrum to enhance the experience of the Book Thief and as well as him own life too. In Death’s narration, his use of the colors illustrate the great ordeal of suffering and pain throughout the book’s setting. As an example Death says “The day was grey, the color of Europe. For me, the sky was the color of Jews” (Zusak, 349). This quote effectively describes Death’s use of the colors by relating it to the events taking place. The colors give perspective to the agony and painful hardships going on in the life of WWII. In a regular setting, colors are used to describe happy memories and any basic descriptions of a setting. Death says “Whatever the hour or color…” (Zusak, 5). By saying this quote, Death establishes the colors a...
Shawshank was far from being a rehabilitative place it only ever managed to drag prisoners down a deeper darker hole, then the one they had gotten themselves into it the first place. People like Andy who had come to Shawshank innocent turned to illegal activities in order to stay alive and not lose their minds. Corruption of justice is still relevant in today’s society whether in court, at school, or even in your own houses. At Shawshank the cause of this corruption was the greed of the prison authorities, and the extortion and abuse they put the prisoners through physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The setting of a story is the physical and social context in which the action of a story occurs.(Meyer 1635) The setting can also set the mood of the story, which will help readers to get a better idea pf what is happening. The major elements of the setting are the time, place, and social environment that frame the characters. (Meyer 1635) "Trifles by Susan Glaspell portrays a gloomy, dark, and lonely setting. Glaspell uses symbolic objects to help the audience get a better understanding for the characters. The three symbolizes used are a birdcage, a bird, and rope.
made in. Some incorporate them into the plot, some use them as allegories, and some satirize them.” Without an influence or connection to relate with the audience, the film would have no dimension. When seeing a movie, viewers are always going to search for an underlying meaning or message that could connect to their lives today. Although most
The setting can also show the gloom and despair of the character's emotion. Jane is looking for a place to stay, is refused and made to stay outside in the weather. She weeps with anguish, feels despair, and rejection. The setting echoes her in that it is "such a wild night". There is a driving rain and it is cold. The setting can be a reflection of just about any human emotion.
In the media, prisons have always been depicted as a horrible place. The film, The Shawshank Redemption, is a prime example that supports the media 's suggestions about prison life. In the film we are familiarized with Andy Dufresne, who is a banker that is wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. While trying to both remain discreet and find his prison identity, he assists Ellis Boyd 'Red ' Redding, a peddler, and Brooks Hatlen. In his attempt to fit into the rough prison subculture, Andy strategically starts a business relationship with the captain Captain Bryon Hadley and Samuel Norton. The film gives an insider 's look at various aspects of prison life. These aspects include prison culture; explicitly, guard subculture and inmate subculture.
...ly makes for fresh conversation among inmates, at the same time truly violent acts remind the prisoners of the harsh realities of prison life.