GCSE Film Studies: Attack The Block - WJEC Eduqas - COMPLETED

Question 1

What year was Attack the Block released?

Answer 1

2011

Question 2

Who directed Attack the Block?

Answer 2

Joe Cornish

Question 3

Which section of the paper will your question on Attack the Block come up in?

Answer 3

Section C - Contemporary UK Film

Question 4

What aspect of film studies will the Attack the Block (or other Section C film) question be tailored to?

Answer 4

Aesthetic qualities of film

Question 5

Which styles and genres would you say Attack the Block fits into?

Answer 5

Possible genres/styles:
1. Science fiction
2. Urban realness
3. Violent horror film
4. Relatable comedy
5. Action

Question 6

True or False: This was Cornish’s debut feature film.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

Which paper (component) will the Attack the Block question be on?

Answer 7

Paper 2 (Component 2: Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style)

Question 8

Which 3 sequences and/or locations would be best to reference in your essay?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Which 3 other cited ‘hoodie horror’ films also came out around the time of the London Riots?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

When was Attack the Block released?

Answer 10

October 27th 2011

Question 11

Which production companies were involved in making and/or funding the film?

Answer 11

Film4, Studio Canal, Big Talk Pictures, UK Film Council

Question 12

Where did Joe Cornish get the idea for the film?

Answer 12

He was mugged by a teenage gang in a similar setting

Question 13

Which films influenced Attack the Block?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Who produced Attack the Block?

Answer 14

Edgar Wright, director of Shaun of the Dead

Question 15

Where is the film set?

Answer 15

South London

Question 16

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

Answer 16

True

Question 17

True or False: Various locations in the film are named after famous British science fiction writers

Answer 17

True

Question 18

When was the film released relative to the 2011 London Riots?

Answer 18

The film was released 2 months after the London Riots

Question 19

Which narrative structure conventions does Attack the Block fit into?

Answer 19

Linear narrative, 3 act structure

Question 20

Which narrative viewpoints are used in Attack the Block?

Answer 20

Teen POV, young adult POV

Question 21

What is the purpose of the binary oppositions in the film?

Answer 21

To create conflict

Question 22

Name some of the key binary oppositions in the film:

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Who is the main protagonist of Attack the Block?

Answer 23

Moses

Question 24

Describe Moses’ character:

Answer 24

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)

Question 25

Describe Sam’s character:

Answer 25

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)

Question 26

Describe Pest’s character:

Answer 26

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)

Question 27

Describe Brewis’ character:

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Who is the main antagonist in Attack the Block?

Answer 28

Hi-Hatz (though an argument could be made for the aliens or the police)

Question 29

Describe Hi-Hatz’ character:

Answer 29

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)

Question 30

Name some of the key themes in Attack the Block:

Answer 30

Any from:
1. Conflict
2. Adults vs teenagers
3.

Question 31

Name some of the key themes in Attack the Block:

Answer 31

Any from:
1. Conflict
2. Adults vs teenagers
3. Authority
4. Invasion
5. Consequences
6. Redemption
7. Sacrifice

Question 32

True or False: Attack the block uses mostly CGI, but some practical effects

Answer 32

False - Attack the Block uses mostly practical effects, aided by minimal CGI

Question 33

List the names of the members of Moses’ gang:

Answer 33

Moses, Pest, Jerome, Dennis, Bigz