1) Read the excellent article exploring the different representations of black people in British film and TV from Media Magazine 42 (MM42 from our Media Magazine archive - page 51). Pick three key points from the article and bullet point them here.
- Part of the problem when analysing black culture in the UK today arises from our dependence upon American Popular Culture as a model for critiquing representational issues
- Online production are able to bypass many of the restrictive production and media ownership issues affecting mainstream broadcast media.
- What we begin to see with these 'alternatives' is the accomplishment of the descendants of Asian, African and Caribbean diaspora, directing their narratives unapologetically, without the need for explanation of 'self', the occupation of 'space' or positioning as 'others'.
2) List FIVE films, FIVE TV programmes and FIVE online-only productions that are discussed in the article. These are great examples you could use in the MEST1 or MEST3 unseen exams.
- Kidulthood
- Adulthood
- Slumdog Millionaire
- Sunshine
- Attack The Block
Programmes
- Top Boy- Luther
- 55 Degrees North
- Line of Duty
- The Real McCoy
Online-only production
- Brothers With NO Game - Venus vs Mars
- The Ryan Sisters
- All About The Mckenzies
- Meet The Adebanjos
Textual analysis: Destiny Ekaragha
3) Watch Destiny Ekaragha's clips above (more of her work is available on her website, including the short film The Park). To what extent can we apply Alvarado's and Fanon's theories to these films? Do they reinforce or subvert typical black stereotypes in British film and TV? Refer to specific scenes and events in the clips in answering this question and aim for at least 350 words.
- In the first clip you can see that Alvorado's theme of Humorous can be applied as the 3 boys are where the boy in the middle is offering a comedic role when he tries to give an in depth detail that is incorrect to answer his friends question. In the end of the clip his friend asks 'how can anyone wear a t-shirt that tight.' when he begins to answer he is cut off straight away. this could lead to Fanons stereotype of infantalization as it shows a very simple minded portrayal of the character. This can be seen to reinforce stereotypes as it shows him to be uneducated. In the second clip you see themes of Exotic being shown when it comes to the characters mother and the way she dresses traditionally and also the accent of the brother that comes from Nigeria. There is also an element of humour when it comes to portraying the characters and they way they are acting. This can be seen as reinforcing stereotypes as it suggests that they cannot integrate as well with society. Which is highlighted when the mother says to her son to try and help his brother talk to a girl. The fact that in both these clips there is no representation of danger can be a way to subvert stereotypes as it is avoiding those harsh stereotypes.
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