Somers Town - Before viewing...

Before viewing

Although it was filmed in 2008, Somers Town was shot in black and white.

1. Why do you think a modern director would choose to produce a film in black and white, rather than colour? What effects might they be hoping to achieve?

A modern director may have chosen to film in blacka dn white as it makes the film look similar all the way through as it is all the same colours throughout, as some places can look completely different to what you wan them to look like in colour, it can also make the place look too busy if there is too many bright colours which stand out. The viewer while watching a black and white film can imagine what colours that the place may be and that may make them feel that they are putting an imput into the film.

2. Choose three modern films shot in black and white. Find out their release date, their genre, the directors reputation and the critical reaction to the film

In search of a Midnight Kiss - Alex Holdridge

In search of a midnight kiss, is a black and white, romantic comedy, it was released on the 16th August 2007 in the UK. 85% of critics rated the film positively based on 48 reviews, with the agreement that its 'Funny, quirky and bittersweet, In Search of a Midnight Kiss is a romantic comedy with a heart and a brain - and stands as a sharp debut for director Alex Holdridge' In search of a Midnight Kiss follows Wilson, a 29 year old man who has just suffered through the most miserable year of his life. A new arrival to the City of Angels, Wilson ends up alone and penniless as New Years eve approaches, and vows to lock his doors, his best friend Jacob talk him into posting a personal ad. In seemingly no time the message leads Wilson to Vivian a young women determined to be with the right man at the stroke of midnight. She leads Wilson on a eventful trip through the nighttime street of L.A. that he will never forget.

The Man Who Wasn't There - Coen Brothers

The man who wasn't there is a 2001 black and white film written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. One review of the film said ' it is a slow, certainly, maybe even meandering, but the emotional pull of the finale belies anything youmight expect from a Coens movie. A masterpiece? Quite possibly. It's certainly worth seeing twice to find out.' Set in a sleepy Northern California town in the 1940s, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen's The Man Who Wasn't There stars Billy Bob Thornton as Ed Crane, a humble barber who suspects his hard hearted and hard drinking wife Doris is of having an affair with her boss. When a stranger breezes into town hinting at the fortune to be made investing in an outlandish sounding new invention called dry cleanin, Ed hatches a blackmail scheme he hopes will make him rich and get him some revenge at the same time. His plan goes horribly wrong when he accidentally commits a murder for which Doris ends up being blamed, landing her in jail and Ed at the Mercy of big city lawyer Freddy.

Manhattan - Woody Allen

Manhattan was released the 25th April 1979 it is a simple romantic comedy back in '79 Manhattan which got quite a bit of praised, and even now is consistently on 'The Best Films' list nearly any English speaking critic. A TV comedy writer sick of the paps is forced to churn out and harbouring novelist. His love life is in bad territory he is tormented by his second ex-wife Jill is a lesbian who has written a tell all book about their marrige, and he is dating teenager Tracy to whom he refuses to commit and keeeps hinting that a break up may be best. While he makes a last decision to quit his job and devote all of his time to book writing, and moans about what the lack of a full time job will do to him.

3. The film is named after Somers Town, the part of London in which it is set. most of the filming also took place on location in that area.

a) Given the London location, what iconographic sights and sounds might you expect from the film?

You would expect tof ind the normal sights you associate London with like busy streets, big buses, the London bridge and just things that you think about when you hear London, but i don't no where abouts Somers Town is in London so don't know what you are expected to see in that area.

b) What are your expectations about character and narrative based on this setting?

I odnt really have any expectations based on the settings as i'm not sure what it is like and dont really no what the film is about.