Carol Flashcards
What novel is the film Carol based on?
The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith
What type of film was Carol shot on?
Super 16mm film
Who secured the green light for the film Carol after delays?
Todd Haynes
What was a significant theme in the film Carol regarding homosexuality?
Society is the problem, not their sexuality
What does Carol mark a shift towards in cinema?
Queer Cinema entering the mainstream
List key themes explored in the film Carol.
- Sexuality
- Romance
- Attraction & Desire
- Societal pressure & expectation
- Class
- Rebellion and Choice
- Motherhood
- Public vs Private
What does Heterosexuality traditionally refer to?
Male/female relationships in line with established gender roles
Who argued that heterosexuality is a political, ideological institution?
A… R… in her 1980 article ‘C… H… and L… E…’
What does homosexuality threaten according to the ideological analysis?
The hegemonic power dynamic
How do representations of sexuality interact with hegemonic sexuality?
They either endorse or challenge it
Identify the three key sexual relationships represented in Carol.
- Carol and Therese
- Therese and Richard
- Carol and Harge
What does the opening scene of Carol challenge?
Hegemonic representations of homosexuality as ‘other’ or ‘deviant’
What approach can limit our understanding of a film according to the text?
Analysing a film using only one ideological approach
What is Todd Haynes known for in his filmmaking style?
Referencing the familiar with the unfamiliar
What is the significance of the Queer New Wave in relation to Todd Haynes?
It was subversive rather than transgressive
Name one film by Todd Haynes that uses Barbie dolls for storytelling.
Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story
What themes are commonly explored in Todd Haynes’ films?
- Surveillance
- Observation
- Intrusion
How does Carol explore queer sexuality?
In a warm, positive, romantic way
What is one way Carol offers vicarious experiences to the audience?
By allowing identification with characters
What personal factors affect a spectator’s reception of a film according to Stuart Hall?
- Age
- Gender
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Sexuality
- Personal Experiences
- Religion
- Up-Bringing
- Class
- Film literacy
- Geography
- Family
- Political Beliefs
What might a conservative viewer’s response to Carol be?
Lack of empathy for Carol’s choices
What does the film Carol illustrate about emotional response and aesthetic pleasure?
It can be a passive experience for the spectator
What is a key argument regarding the aesthetic and emotional impact of the film?
They can have more impact than ideological frameworks
What is the structure of the ideal paragraph for exam responses?
- Key argument
- Key sequence introduced
- Forensic analysis
- Counter-argument
What is a counter-argument against using a single ideological framework for analysis?
It closes us off from other ways of reading the film
What is the overall purpose of the conclusion in an exam response?
Answer the actual question and provide interesting insights
What key historical events are reflected in the aesthetics of Pan’s Labyrinth?
The Spanish Civil War and Franco’s regime
The film’s aesthetics serve as a commentary on the socio-political climate of Spain during this period.
What is a key scene to analyze in relation to the film’s historical context?
Final Sequence
This scene encapsulates the film’s themes and connections to the historical backdrop.
What is one counter-argument regarding the aesthetics of Pan’s Labyrinth?
Aesthetics may be more reflective of the universal idea of coming-of-age and the transition to adolescence
This perspective shifts focus from specific historical contexts to broader themes.
What is another counter-argument regarding the aesthetics of Pan’s Labyrinth?
Aesthetics may be more reflective of Del Toro as an auteur
This view emphasizes the director’s unique style and vision over socio-political influences.
To what extent might different audiences respond differently to the same film?
To a significant extent
Audience responses can be influenced by individual interpretation and the film’s complexity.
What factors might lead different audiences to respond similarly to a film?
Power of film form, narrative positioning, clear film form, overt ideology
These elements can create a shared viewing experience among audiences.
What complex messages might active audiences respond to in films?
Complex messages about sexuality
Active audiences engage deeply with the film’s themes, leading to varied interpretations.
What other ways might audiences interpret a film’s text?
Other ideological readings, emotional responses, aesthetic appreciation
Audience interpretation can vary widely based on personal experiences and perspectives.
What checklist item ensures the paragraph’s argument is clear?
Starts with a clear argument, debate, or idea
A strong opening sets the tone for the analysis.
What is a requirement for the analysis within the paragraph?
Uses forensic, detailed film language
Technical specificity enhances the credibility of the analysis.
How many uses of film-specific language should be included in the paragraph?
At least ten uses
This demonstrates depth and understanding of cinematic techniques.
What should be present in the second half of the paragraph?
Technical evidence to back up counter-arguments or wider explorations
This supports the overall argument and shows consideration of multiple perspectives.
What should the wording of the question do throughout the paragraph?
Be used specifically
This maintains focus and relevance in the analysis.
What elements contribute to texture and depth in the analysis?
Quotes, contextual references
These elements enrich the argument and provide supporting evidence.
