Final Thesis on Working Class Films

[Franster]

I'm in the process of writing my final thesis on the representation of the working class in contemporary British film. I chose the films "Billy Elliot", "Brassed Off" and "The Full Monty".



My focus will be on how the characters are represented as being working class when actually most of them are unemployed (living conditions, language, former work, etc).





1. Which other "proof" of identification can you think of?



2. In which terms do think class (esp. the working class) is still present in Britian nowadays?



3. What problems do you see with the films (e.g. stereotyping)?





If you are able to take the time and answer these questions it would be a great help. Thanks a lot.

[batman]

1. Which other "proof" of identification can you think of?



Many of the characters are depicted as being stupid and rather ignorant. Film makers often use this lazy way to portray people from less affluent backgrounds, regardless of the individual qualities of real people from that type of background.



2. In which terms do think class (esp. the working class) is still present in Britian nowadays?



'Class' is IMHO a state of mind. These days it exists primarily so that people who perceive themselves to be 'superior' can look down their noses and sneer at those they perceive to be 'inferior'.



3. What problems do you see with the films (e.g. stereotyping)?



All three films suffer from cliched writing, pedestrian direction and some rather poor performances IMHO.