Slap

Characterisation

Connor

Connor is represented as a character who has been oppressed by society's stereotype or categorisation.  He is represented as someone who has found himself, but isn't able to be his true self because of the oppressed way that society sees toxic masculinity.  His character is seen to break the "gender norms" of what people categorise "gender" to be like, but gets punished and discriminated against because of it. 

Archie 

Archie is represented as a character who identifies as LGBTQ+. His character reflects a glimpse of reality of what people who identify as LGBTQ+ have to face in society as he gets beaten up. His character development leads the audience on a rollercoaster ride, not knowing how to feel towards him by the end.

Connor's dad 

He is represented of what society see "masculinity" as. from his interactions with Connor, we gain a feeling of the dad trying to endorse and expects Connor to be the standard masculine. Which reflects the oppression that Connor feels.  

Editing 

The editing is fairly slow paced at the start. However, the film does contain jump cuts which increases the pace and the beat of the film. For example, the scene where Connor is trying on a dress, a jump cut is used to create a feel of time passing but also to increase the high energy, as we see what he sees, and we observe the excitement on his face as different scenes he is striking different poses. 

Sound

the film includes diegetic and non diegetic sounds, this creates a sense of rawness, but also allows the sound to help to tell the story. for example, the jump cut scenes of Connor trying on a dress, a up beat and high energy background music is used to reflect his high energy, but also mirrors his excitement and creates a positive emotion.

The film also contains continuous editing technique such as eye line match, this allows the audience to see what the characters are seeing (from their point of view)

cinematography

The film consists of a large use of tracking shots, this is seen to create a more intimate connection between the audience and the character, the tracking shot also increases the rawness of the film, as the audience are allowed to observe every little detail and movement. These tracking shots also have a hand held feel to them, which adds a more realistic sense to the film, as the handled technique can create a not stable feel / shaky movement to the camera, which can be linked to how the character feels internally 

lighting

the film consists of the use of natural lighting, this can be seen to follow the raw and realistic narrative. The use of natural lighting creates a softer feel to the film 

the use of the ray of sunlight across his face can be used to symbolize how Connor feels more at ease, more himself , a sense of freedom, as he tells his friend about his identity. The light across his face creates a positive emotion which matches the narrative 

Mise en scene 

props  

In Connor's room, we see posters of women at the back, which could communicate 2 things. The first that he is using the posters as a cover from people around him and society, He gives them what "society" expects from a standard man. The second reflection might be that he is playing and testing the audience "stereotyping"  as especially in film, men who dress more femminine are always portrayed to be gay, which is a way of how society categorise and oppresses people, as what you wear or what you look like doesn't determine your sexuality. 

Which is also similar to the pornography he uses to cover where he keeps his makeup. As it reflects how his masculinity is covering his true self 

Broken glass

This can be used to metaphorically represent Connor's fragmented identity. 

Narrative 

Was there a resolution?

The cutting off at the ending left the audience questioning about what happened. The cut off could be used to reflect how Connor himself is questioning about his future as he has lost is friends and has been seen as a disgrace and a joke to the society he lives in.   

Meaning

The film represents how the way you dress does not determine your sexuality. Giving a first person perspective of what people who break these 'norms' and gender 'boundaries' have to face.