Wasp - Abi Black

Wasp was produced in 2003, written and directed by Andrea Arnold. The main theme which comes across throughout this film is social realism, but also a drama as well. This is communicated to us in a number of different ways, such as the focus on the working class, the poverty which we see so often today and the effects of what being a lone parent is. A typical setting is used, set in a council estate with big blocks of flats, instantly connoting to the audience that this is a less wealthy area than most. Both Zoe, the mother, and all her children are dressed how you would expect, in the first scene Zoe steps outside in a nighty. The effect of having the children dressed in such a "grubby" way really helps emphasise their financial situation and we later see in the film that Zoe cannot afford to buy any food, giving the children sugar to share out instead. The sound used are mainly all diegetic, coming from their current surroundings however mainly appearing off screen such as the music played in the pub. Most of the audience instantly recognise these songs which are being played and you often hear this kind of music, which again gives the film a more realistic approach. They have used stereotypes very well throughout this film, dipicting Zoe as your typical single mother who's just about managing to get by. Her dress sense seems very "chavvy" a stereotype which the audience are very familiar with. The children are made to look and act how you would imagine them to, brought up in their situation and I think the use of Kelly stepping in as the mum figure in some places, even though she is so young, also displays how severe their situation is. I think the main issue that is addressed in this short film is the financial struggle which a single mother with several children can have and by the end of it, I felt sympathetic not only towards the children, but also towards Zoe as well.

I think the way this film is conducted in such a realistic way is particularly interesting, considering that it is such a powerful storyline. I really enjoyed watching this film even though the actual ending was heartbreaking, and the use of camerawork helps to show each characters emotions through both p.o.v shots and shot reverse shots in dialogue between both Zoe and the children, and Zoe and Dave. I also think they have managed to capture the "grittyness" of the families life, Zoe trying to maintain a lifestyle she once had before her children, but also being at risk of losing them. I think the film has a strong message in it, which is conveyed throughout. However it does not follow the normal format of having a problem and then it is all dealt with and solved at the end. There isn't really an ending to this film and so leaves the audience on edge as we want to find out what has happened, will this family be ok? Throughout the film we are made to care about the welfare of these children, especially when they are left outside the pub alone at night and so having formed this bond we want to know what eventually happens to them. I think leaving the ending as a bit of a cliff hanger is a good thing as it keeps the audience interested, but also makes it seem more realistic as a financial issue like Zoe has doesn't just get solved instantly.

I found the use of sound very clever, as there is hardly any non diegetic sound. Everything to do with sound is happening on screen, or just off screen but still diegetic. This again is another convention which makes the film seem more realistic. I would like to bring this to the film which we produce, as I would like it to appear as realistic as possible which this film does well. The film I think is meant to be about a single mother struggling through life with 4 children, at risk of having them taken away from her,whilst desperate to get her old life back when she didn't have responsibilities. It also show's the financial struggle which some people are going through and that benefits do not cover everything. I think that this film positions the audience to take a much more sympathetic to single mothers living in that situation as we do usually, as although she seems very strong and fiery, but then throughout the film we empathise with her and see her desperate situation. This is achieved by the main storyline but also the characters portrayal as you do see the love she has for her children at the end. I think stereotypes are used, but as we are seeing it through the eyes of Zoe we are not as judgemental, we understand her situation and end up empathising with her.