GCSE Film Studies: Attack The Block - WJEC Eduqas - COMPLETED Flashcards
MADE MYSELF - COPIED NOTES FROM FOCUS FILM FACTSHEETS, WJEC ENDORSED RESOURCES AND OWN NOTES
What year was Attack the Block released?
2011
Who directed Attack the Block?
Joe Cornish
Which section of the paper will your question on Attack the Block come up in?
Section C - Contemporary UK Film
What aspect of film studies will the Attack the Block (or other Section C film) question be tailored to?
Aesthetic qualities of film
Which styles and genres would you say Attack the Block fits into?
Possible genres/styles:
1. Science fiction
2. Urban realness
3. Violent horror film
4. Relatable comedy
5. Action
True or False: This was Cornish’s debut feature film.
True
Which paper (component) will the Attack the Block question be on?
Paper 2 (Component 2: Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style)
Which 3 sequences and/or locations would be best to reference in your essay?
Possible sequences:
1. The opening (opening shot to killing the alien)
2. The ending (final action chase to cheering civilians)
3. Attack on the police van (police showing up to breaking out of van)
4. Aliens in hallway sequence - smoke, timed lights, green hue
5. Preparing to kill aliens - running through the block
Possible locations:
1. The weed room - UV light, trapped
2. The hallways on the block - timed lights, like a medical bay
3. The streets - contrast of neighbourhoods in opening scene
4. Moses’ flat - humanising moment, more background
Which 3 other cited ‘hoodie horror’ films also came out around the time of the London Riots?
Eden Lake (2008), Harry Brown (2009), Ill Manors (2011)
These films explore the representation of
inner-city youths and gangs and portray a society that tabloids deemed to be ‘Broken Britain’. This representation focused on gangs, youth-orientated crime, under-age drinking, teenage pregnancy and a lack of social mobility.
When was Attack the Block released?
October 27th 2011
Which production companies were involved in making and/or funding the film?
Film4, Studio Canal, Big Talk Pictures, UK Film Council
Where did Joe Cornish get the idea for the film?
He was mugged by a teenage gang in a similar setting
Which films influenced Attack the Block?
Cornish was a film fan growing up in the 70s and 80s and took a lot of influence from different science-fiction films and alien character designs. These films included:
1. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
2. Critters (1986)
3. Tremors (1990)
4. Star Wars franchise
5. Alien franchise
Who produced Attack the Block?
Edgar Wright, director of Shaun of the Dead
Where is the film set?
South London
True or False: Cornish interviewed various people in youth groups to find out what kinds of weapons they would use in an alien invasion. He also used these interviews to develop the colloquial language for his characters
True
True or False: Various locations in the film are named after famous British science fiction writers
True
When was the film released relative to the 2011 London Riots?
The film was released 2 months after the London Riots
Which narrative structure conventions does Attack the Block fit into?
Linear narrative, 3 act structure
Which narrative viewpoints are used in Attack the Block?
Teen POV, young adult POV
What is the purpose of the binary oppositions in the film?
To create conflict
Name some of the key binary oppositions in the film:
Any from:
1. Children vs parents
2. Aliens vs humans
3. Teenagers vs adults
4. Specifically black teenagers and young people vs police oppression and racial profiling
Who is the main protagonist of Attack the Block?
Moses
Describe Moses’ character:
Example response: Gang leader, teenager, age unknown for most of the film - finale reveals he is just 15, criminal behaviour when mugs Sam, kills first alien that lands and as a result is responsible for alien invasion (and is covered in the alien hormone), becomes saviour by end of film before being arrested, played by John Boyega (Star Wars)
Describe Sam’s character:
Example response: Young trainee nurse, begins film as seemingly the protagonist, mugged on way home on firework night, initially resent the gang who mugged her but comes to help them both for safety and the greater good, played by Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who)
Describe Pest’s character:
Example response: One of the gang members, looks up to and takes ‘orders’ from Moses, only member of the gang who is white, often the comic relief in the film, offers insight into life of a teenager by expressing what Moses does (or cannot)
Describe Brewis’ character:
Example response: Zoology student, stoner, comes to the block to buy drugs, is very much the ‘fish out of water’ in the situation - emphasis on fact that he is white and has an overly posh accent
Who is the main antagonist in Attack the Block?
Hi-Hatz (though an argument could be made for the aliens or the police)
Describe Hi-Hatz’ character:
Example response: antagonist, feared gang member who runs the block in terms of crime and drugs, owns the weed grown by Ron at top of the block, psychopathic, prone to violence, spends most of the film hunting down the main protagonists (with the intention of killing them)
Name some of the key themes in Attack the Block:
Any from:
1. Conflict
2. Adults vs teenagers
3.
Name some of the key themes in Attack the Block:
Any from:
1. Conflict
2. Adults vs teenagers
3. Authority
4. Invasion
5. Consequences
6. Redemption
7. Sacrifice
True or False: Attack the block uses mostly CGI, but some practical effects
False - Attack the Block uses mostly practical effects, aided by minimal CGI
List the names of the members of Moses’ gang:
Moses, Pest, Jerome, Dennis, Bigz
