Attack the block theories

Attack The Block

Todorov's Narrative Theory

Attack the block uses a Narrative theory. I will be using Todorov's theory to explain the narrative behind attack the block.

Todorov's theory is where all narratives follow a simple structure, this structure has 4 parts to to it. These 4 stages are:

1) equilibrium (where everything is normal)

2) something disrupts the equilibrium

3) resolving the problem

4) the new equilibrium

This fits nicely into Attack the block, first is the equilibrium (1) and that means what normal and what usually happens, this is the 'gang' mug an innocent girl, Sam. This is classed as normal in south London at that time period. During the first scene we have the disruption where there is an unusual meteor coming from the sky. It lands in a car and creates a mess and shocks the gang and Sam. Moses (leader of the gang) goes into the car to take a look. Now the disruption (2) has properly happened as we see this alien/monster for the first time. The alien jumps, pushing Moses, out of the car and Moses quickly kills it. The gang decide to take it up to High-Hatz and hide it. Now there is more aliens falling from the sky. They realise (3) the problem and go find weapons to kill or defeat these aliens. After a lot of fighting and hiding and people getting killed Moses, with the help pf the gang and Sam, manages to defeat all of the aliens and he is caught and arrested. Even though we don't know what happens to Moses after his arrest that will be the new equilibrium (4) the new normal life for everyone.

Claude Levi-Strauss Binary Opposites

In attack the block there are lots of different stereotypes and binary opposites such as ‘black’ v ‘white’ and ‘girl’ v ‘boy’ and ‘old’ v ‘young’.

Exploring the idea of ‘black’ v ‘white’, the gang is a mainly black gang and Sam and the police officers are white. Throughout the film there's this idea of society and the government being against black people. Joe Cornish (the director) made this difference clear by stereotyping the black gang as a rebellious and a bad group of teenagers which leads into the idea of ‘old’ v ‘young’ as younger generation are shown to be rebellious and bad ect however older people are shown as kind and fragile. This is made clear during the first alien attack when Sam manages to escape the group finding an older woman who give her hospitality. It also shows the difference in gender when the group of boys come into Tia and the girls flat, the girls try to talk the boys out of drugs, crime and try not to get involved. Cornish shows this visually and emotionally. The girls wear loads of jewellery and are painting their nails and doing the hair and are shown as more seasonable. The boys wear hoddies and have weapons and just want to beat up aliens.

Steve Neale's Genre Theory

In Attack The Block the genre theory works well as there is multiple genres within the film. First I will look at Steve Neale's genre theory. His theory is that film and genre are defined by two things. These are:

1) How much is it alike with the genre stereotypes and conventions.

2) How the film is different from the stereotypes but still being the genre and being unique and different.

Neale also states that "The word 'genre' means 'type' or 'category'". Neale has a point as all films are the same, having alternatives and differences make the films entertaining and like we are no watching the same film each time. His theory fits in nicely to Attack the Block as Joe Cornish uses fireworks and baseball and cricket bats instead of the typical use of guns and bombs ect. Cornish decides to use a knife in the first scene possibly to show the idea of knife crime being dramatically increased and wants to get political views across in a not so serious, threatening matter.

Christian Metz Model Of Genre Conventions

The film is classed as multiple genres and this is a new theorists called Christian Metz who believes

there is four stages to film. They are as the following:

1) Experimental

2) Classic

3) Parody

4) Deconstruction

Attack The Block has multiple genres so it's put under the deconstruction category. Experimental (1) is when the directors experiment with ideas and a genre, classic is the next (2) that's when it's one genre that's not debatable e.g a romance, horror ect. The 3rd stage is parody which is a micky take of films e.g a scary movie is a micky take of loads of different horror films, and the final stage is deconstruction which is multiple genres can fit into one film. Attack The Block is classed as a; sci-fi, comedy and action film.

All these points come together to create a burst of different exiting genres but managing to keep the stereotypes the same.

Daniel Chandler Conventions Of Content

NOT COMPLETED; Conventional definitions of genre tend to be based on the notion that they constitute particular conventions of content (such and themes or setting) and/or form (including structure and style) which are shared by the texts which are regarded as belonging to them.

Stuart Hall Representation Theory (reflective, intentional, constructionist)

Stuart Halls representation theory is there is one true meaning. Hall argues that there is no mixed meaning to any image or any occurrence and the idea of interpretation is different for everyone and it depends on historical background and cultural content form where it's being presented or seen. Hall talks about how the director/producer puts in an idea like a code and the audience has to decode it and there's multiple ways the audience can decode these messages, they are:

1) Dominate or preferer reading

2) Oppositional Reading

3) Negotiated Reading

Dominate or preferred reading is how the producer puts in a code and wants the audience to review the  media or text how they want. The audience will get the message how  the director/producer wants them too. Oppositional reading is when the audience completely rejects the idea that the director/producer is trying to put into their minds. This tends to happen if the subject is very controversial or it's something that makes the audience disagree with the media or text. Negotiated reading is where there's a compromise between the audience and the director/producer.

Tessa Perking Representation Stereotypes

Tessa Perkins is a theorist which is based around stereotypes. her theory is that a stereotype is an idea that is adopted about specific people/groups/gangs. Perkins believes these stereotypes are not arcuate and they don't reflect reality. I believe that Tessa Perkins had something to do with the change or the roles of women through film. Females are portrayed as weak and sensitive, only there to support the men. However the males are portrayed as strong, independent and heroes. Tessa Perkins changes that by making females have 'male' traits. In attack the block Sam is weak to start with and the gang is stronger but towards the end the gang gets weaker and Sam helps fighting and the group of girls in Tia's flat theory are seen as strong role models as they tell Moses and the gang what to do.

Blumer and Katz's Audience Theory

Blumer and Katz's theory is Gratification and Uses, this has 4 points to there theory, they are:

1)  Identify

2)  Educate

3) Entertain

4) Social Interaction

Identify is where the media allows you to recognise a person/product

e.g. role models with similar values to yours. Educate is when the media allows you to get information and allows you educate. Entertain is where the media allows you to find something you will like and enjoy. Social Interaction is where the media allows you to communicate with others.

This theory can be used in films and their genres. For example your film taste will be different to mine and your parents maybe. Attack the block is a sci-fi film and it's not everyones cup of tea due to the aliens and violence.  
- Maddison Brooks