gender representation clip analysis re-written (sherlock holmes)

Gender clip analysis (Sherlock holmes)

Firstly, the camera follows the men down a narrow corridor at a fast pace. This intensifies the feeling of urgency of the characters and makes the audience feel tense because of the situation. This links to gender because men are often depicted to be included in serious situations like involvement with prison, as in this scene.

Mise-en-scene also adds to this tension and power. The policemen are shown to be in dark lighting and wearing formal, black clothes whereas Holmes is wearing lighter colors and is spotlighted throughout the scene; no women are present. This links to gender as the job of a police person is stereotypically carried out by males as they are represented throughout history and media to be the workers in a family and have power over jobs, especially when they are more violent or seen as risky. The fact that the policeman are seen to be in a darker lighting to Holmes signifies that although having politically more power over Holmes, he is actually represented as the more dominant character.

We see the powerful male character drinking an alcoholic drink from an expensive looking crystal glass through a close up shot. It represents how men are stereotypically seen to be heavy drinkers and the expensive glass shows how they can be seen as the wealthier gender because they are more business-like.

Holmes’ shoulders are slouched forward for a variety of reasons during this particular scene. Firstly, the literal reason is he is being held by another character with his hands behind his back which we can see through the use of a mid-shot. However, it could represent his calm mood throughout the situation that would normally be stressful as his body language isn’t tense or rigid. This links to how men are seen to be unfazed by stressful situations to portray themselves to be more masculine or dominant. It also makes the audience question what could happen next, keeping them engaged by his unusual neutral reaction. The audiences questioning is also emphasized by the non-diegetic sound of music in the background which has an intensifying beat similar to a heartbeat, signifying fear, and making the overall atmosphere tense therefore contrasting Holmes’ mood.

Violence is shown throughout the aggressive punch early on in the scene which is backed up through the lacerations effects created by makeup adding to the mise-en-scene. Cuts and bruises have been added to many of the men’s faces which are shown clearly through close ups and clear sightings through the clip. This links to gender as men are generally seen to be the more aggressive gender, the physical actions and subtle marks on their faces and necks also add to the idea of their violent nature as men.

Jumpcuts are used at a very fast pace when the Holmes reminisces on previous events. Each shot is at a different angle and dimension which adds a sense of confusion to the scene, representing a series of mental images that are quick to change. These shots have been edited to change with a flash of light representing a flashback or a sudden realization like a ‘light bulb moment’ in his head. This links to gender as it represents the idea that men are very practical and quick thinking in tense situations; that they are intelligent and logically think problems through to solve them.

There is also the use of jumpcuts in the next scene as the main character desperately scans the room for evidence from his previous flashbacks. These shots represent how his mind is working very quickly and erratically whilst he tries to put on ‘a front’ of being calm and contained. This links to gender as putting on a brave face is what men are typically shown to do as although they can be scared or critically trying to piece information together- they do not want to lose their masculinity or look vulnerable/inferior to other men so try to appear bemused by tense situations instead of showing their true feelings.

Non diegetic sound is used through the sound of a gun being loaded; this harsh sound attracts the audience’s attention whilst once again creating the idea that men are linked to violence and even murder. This representation could also link to current context that men are usually seen to be involved in illegal crime and illegal possession of guns or weapons.

A panning point of view shot increases tension as the audience feels like they are in the characters position so empathize or feel on edge by the situation. Objects are also shown to obstruct the view of the character make it even tenser because vision is limited and unclear. This links to gender as the scene shows how the man isn’t hiding from the situation or danger but instead using logical steps like moving slowly and scanning the area for risks, showing his masculinity by not shying away but instead acting with violent intentions.

The scene looks like a wealthy man lives there because of the detailed scenery, included golds and expensive looking metal wear and upholstered chairs. This represents men as generally being wealthy, as they are often seen as businessmen or professionals with little sympathy but a goal to be successful and rich.

The main character is smoking which is generally seen as a habit carried out by males. It also adds to humor as he holds it above the water- giving the impression that men’s priorities are the luxuries in life.

A woman is shown through the latter stages of the clip, she doesn’t speak giving the idea that she is stereotypically inferior to men as she feels she is not able to interrupt or become involved in a largely male conversation. She is shown to wrap a blanket around Holmes whilst we see through a range of mid shots that are focused on him. This gives the idea that females are compassionate and have motherly instincts whereas the other male characters are thinking more practically about their getaway from the situation rather than emotional concepts. The camera focuses on Holmes as he is male and the female character is shown to simply pass through the scene without the camera clearly showing her giving the idea that he has more power as a man because he is the focus of the shot, she is seen as a passing obstacle.