Shane Meadows

[Katrina]

Hi



There is very little written on him and I would like to know what you all think of his films as social realism, but also different to Leigh and Loach and perhaps a bit more dramatic so not so socially realistic?



I think this is what my essay will be on, could you comment with any advice etc on how you see Shane Meadows films as a different kind of social realism.

Thanks

[Steve Crook]

name='Katrina']Hi



There is very little written on him and I would like to know what you all think of his films as social realism, but also different to Leigh and Loach and perhaps a bit more dramatic so not so socially realistic?



I think this is what my essay will be on, could you comment with any advice etc on how you see Shane Meadows films as a different kind of social realism.

Thanks

I've only seen This is England and that seemed to be trying too hard to portray social realism but wasn't actually very realistic at all.



I grew up in London in the 1960s and 70s and I knew quite a few skinhead gangs. But I didn't know any that would have been likely to adopt a child like the one in the film.



The NF/BNP supporter who then tried to radicalise them was so blindingly obvious as to be more like a cartoon than a real person. I don't think that even skinheads would be thick enough to fall for such an unsubtle approach.



I wasn't impressed



Steve

[Monkeymanbob]

I've seen most of his films, with the exception of This Is England and they all seem to differ in their approach.

Somers Town approaches the subject of misfits in society, one in the form of a Polish boy and the other in a lad from the North living around Kings Cross, and nothing much happens, but is still engaging and funny; Where as Dead Man's Shoes is very difficult to watch more than once, but is a must see. I think his realism comes from the astute choice in actors he uses, nobody over acts (unless it's called for) and you feel comfortable with them, as I think you can generally identify the character types.

None more so than in Scorsayzee (correct spelling I think) & Donk. Donk is a cock of the highest order, but you can't help but pity him because he is such a cock.

I did see "Take the money and run" some years ago, but the memory is a bit vague.

[Scorsayzee]

Shane's grim Dead Man's Shoes tackles many topics; one being the thirst for revenge and how far (if at all) it gets you in life.

Social realism is represented behind a blur of violence and mental instability in this film. Its tense, sustained menace is attributed wonderfully with domestic values (i.e. the protagonist's brotherly love).



Whether this helps slightly or not..



Ben