Coming of Age - Dilys Latham

Coming of Age

Created by Charlie Goodger and Ben Goodger

Synopsis: A young boy struggles with his new responsibilities in a brutal post-apocalyptic future

2009

I chose to analyse Coming of age as I liked the fast and suspense filled narrative and also the underlying theme of bildungsroman. The fast tracking shots and desolate locations effectively convey the appearance of a post apocalypse world and make the characters desperation for survival seems less drastic.

Representation:

·         As the film is set post-apocalypse it is hard to determine any social groups as it would appear all characters are in the same predicament, searching for food and shelter, however it is clear that the two men have power over the young boy due to their being two of them and because they possess a weapon.

·         It appears that the young boy in the film has had to grow up and endure adult responsibilities in very short space of time which reflects upon his representation, he is young but his cautious and clever actions suggest a far older and wiser age.

·         This film would probably have been made for a slightly older male audience and so the characterisation of the boy and his actions have been made relatable to those of boys in the audience who have gone through the transition of coming of age. The interesting use of colour and fast cutting sequence also reflect how the main character now lives his life, completely on edge and in suspense of what will happen next.

·         The film deals with the theme of coming of age, the main character has to survive and protect the girl in this new world in which he lives, this is included to show the struggle of any child going through this transition and it is just highlighted in the film as the boy has had to grow up at a much quicker rate.  

Narrative:

Narrative Theory – David Bordwell and Kristen Thompson

  

Story:

The story is that there has been an apocalypse on earth which has left the world in chaos, we learn by hearing the children’s laughter and then seeing the feathers burning and the boy at the graveside, through this the audience can presume there has been disaster. However it would be an extremely long film if the entire story was included so the short film follows a young male as he struggles with his new brutal life.

  

Plot:

The plot is made up of certain events, in the order chosen to tell the story. In Coming of Age the moments included show what a typical day could be for a young boy living in the aftermath of an apocalypse could be like; for example feeding the girl and risking his life to get the medication needed. These choices have been specially made, to make the audience empathise with the boy in a very short space of time and therefore understand his character and situation better. The events have also been included as they show how the boy has had to grow up quickly and take on the responsibilities of an adult.

Todorov’s Theory of Classic Narrative 1977

Todorov’s theory can be applied to Coming of Age as there’s an equilibrium, disruption and resolution. By using the theory we can see how brutal and harsh life has become for the protagonist and it allows us to empathise with him as we discover how he lives and his responsibilities. It also shows us how humans could end up behaving like animals if an apocalypse ever did happen and the basic instinct of survival in all humans.

Claude Levi-Strauss and Binary Oppositions

In Coming of Age we have a very clear divide between good and evil so Levi-Strauss theory can be applied. The protagonist, a young boy represents good as he cares for the girl and risks his own life to get her the medication she needs, the two bandits’ present evil they are animal like and will kill to get what they want. The narrative is based around this as we support the boy and want him to succeed against evil.

Genre:

·         Coming of age is a thriller and action film due to the fast paced sequences filled with suspense and the journey the boy must venture upon to obtain the medicine for survival. Short films typically use genre to help tell a story but they also use genre to break conventions and boundaries to tease the audience and provide something more interesting for their target audience.

Neal’s theory of genre:

·         Neal’s theory of instance and repetition can be applied to Coming of age as although there and many thrillers and coming of age films, it more original due to it being set in the future after an apocalypse and the boy having to deal with killers rather than his peers.

Altman’s theory of genre:

·         There are many semantic codes and conventions in Coming of age which help to show and supply the audience with a thriller. The interesting use of camera work throughout the film helps to build suspense and enigma, from the fast tracking shot to the point of view and close up shots they all working together to build an intense atmosphere for the audience. The clever use of dark and dreary colour also helps to show the protagonist’s fear and isolation, which is something many children have to deal with when they come of age.

Buckingham Genre Theory:

·         Buckingham’s theory of negotiation and change in genres is clear in Coming of Age, it is not similar to many more conventional thrillers set in big cities, in which there is big rivalry between two gangs, it is instead breaking these boundaries of conventions and dealing with much simpler issues of basic human survival. This much simpler and interesting approach to a thriller makes the film very much plausible.

Audience:

·         I expect that target audience for this film would be for the age rage 16-25 as teenagers and young adults enjoy the thrill and excitement in action-packed fast paced films. I also put the teenagers into the demographic as they will be experiencing coming of age and would find the film relatable. Coming of Age was screened at both the Lund International Fantastic Film Festival in 2011and the Donostia/San Sebastian Horror and Fantasy Film Festival in 2010.

Media Language:

·         I think the use of tracking shots in the sequence in the woods in particularly effective as it generates a create sense of urgency and fear, the audience want the boy to outrun the men and to safety.

·         The scene shot in the old house I think is also very cleverly shot as the close up shots of the axe and of the man’s feet leaves the audience in a state of purgatory for a few moments as they are scared for the boy being found and also what wil happen if he is.

·         The desolate and isolated shots I think are also very current as they really establish that sense of a death of an old world and the beginning of a new empty world of terror and fear.