Lupin - representation Flashcards
What is representation of place like in Lupin?
Juxtaposition of poverty - high rise flats and gang - with glamour and romance e.g. famous landmarks
Place is used to highlight inequalities between rich and poor such as Pellegrini’s stately home versus Assane’s place of work as a cleaner.
What is the representation of criminals like in Lupin? Consider:
-Assane
-Gang
-Benjamin
-Pellegrini
- depends on the positioning of the audience
Criminal gang is portrayed very stereotypically while for Assane we feel sympathy because wo know he’s had a difficult start in life - he simply seeks vengeance for his father’s death (if we saw the same for the gang members, we may feel the same sympathy for them) - Positioned to dislike Pellegrini because of his wealth and ability to control police - his actions lead to the death of an innocent man and he doesn’t care
- Benjamin’s crimes are seen as minor in the narrative and we are positioned to feel glad for his crimes as he helps the hero
How is family represented in Lupin?
- each family has their own secrets
- Assane from Clare and Raoul
- Pellegrini from his wife and daughter
- Each of the men is seen as the protector who provides economic stability and in each case they turn to crime to sustain family life
- Similarly Assane and Clare show the difficulty of family and how there is a divide between them
How can Butler be applied to Lupin?
- Pellegrinis enforce binary positions as they assume traditional gender roles
- Clare to some extent also conforms to Butler because he is the prime care giver although she is slightly more independent
- Throughout there is a lack of representation of gender fluidity with each of the families portraying heteronormativity
How is masculinity portrayed in Lupin, reinforcing Butler’s theory?
- Assane and Pelligrini both have a hero complex as they feel a need to protect their families. This means they must protect their families at the expense of others
- On the other hand, Babakar is shown less to be masculine as he helps others and is submissive, making him seem weak
- Assane’s son also subverts gender roles as he’s timid and less interested in Assane as a gentleman thief
How can Van Zoonen be applied to Lupin?
- The Pellegrini convey typical patriarchal values, whereas Clare and Assane are seen more as equals. When Pellegrini accuses Babakar, Mrs Pelligrini doesn’t say anything because she is submissive.
- Juliette offers Assane a kiss if he swims across the pool making her seem like a prize; she’s sexualised through her swimming costume, somewhat offering the female gaze
- the females are seen as secondary to the plot
What role does Juliette play in the plot?
She doesn’t conform to the Cinderella myth because she doesn’t need saving, but instead could be seen to have elements of femme fatale as she has an element of control over Assane
How can bell hooks be applied to Lupin?
The patriarchy with intersectionality is intertwined as Babakar is exploited by the employer
Juliette has more power than Assane as she is the one who has possession of the necklace and enforces racism in the swimming pool scene.
Similarly, it could be argued the reason Clare and Assane are equal compared to the Pellegrini’s is because Assane is a black man
- lack of black female representation
However, bell hooks is somewhat subverted as the programme looks to expose racial bias and the protagonist is a black gentlemen thief. He tricks the white gang and outsmarts them, making him seem intelligent and them uncivilised
In what way is Assane stereotypically represented as a black man?
He’s portrayed as a criminal which is stereotypical of black men as they are seen through the media as threatening and dangerous. However the audience don’t see this because they are positioned to know his back story and instead simply see him as getting justice
What are some examples of racial discrimination shown in the programme?
- Black person as a cleaner shows stereotypical representation as black people are expected to take lower skilled jobs. Assane plays on the idea that as a black man, he is invisible, which allows him to get away with criminality - black people are seen as superfluous to society
- Juliette assuming black people can’t swim
- Discrimination against Babakar and arrest despite innocence
- They check Assane’s Wikipedia page to see his worth - we don’t see them checking anyone else
What is Alvarado’s theory on representation?
Black people are either presented either as humorous, exotic, pitied or dangerous
In what way does Lupin conform to Alvarado’s theory on representation
humorous: handsome and a gentleman thief. He’s outsmarting everyone, which uses irony.
Pitied: dad dies, cleaner, facing poverty while surrounded by wealth
Dangerous: thief
Which colonial powers are referenced in the show? What’s some context of post colonial power?
- Babakar was from Senegal and Pellegrini’s are from colonial power of France.
- France undertook trading of slaves from Senegal
- France continues to influence Senegal in post/neo-colonialism ideologically
- Race is still an issue in France with the rise of far right groups
How is post colonialism evident in Lupin?
Pellegrini still attempts to have power over Babakar and Assane.
Pellegrini often treats Babakar as if he was a slave
Colonialism is normalised through binary oppositions as the hegemonic values of wealth and glamour are seen as superior to Assane’s poverty.
The representation of the two families works as an extended metaphor of the dynamics between Senegal and France
How can Paul Gilroy be applied to Lupin - how does it conform to his idea?
-Racial identities are historically constructed - formed as a result of colonialism and slavery
- Babakar and Assane are presented as other, especially as Assane isn’t part of the gang of criminals despite being a criminal. This is further emphasised by the fact Assane and Claire and separated
- Elements of nostalgia as representation of colonial France is shown as glamorous through the stately home
- double consciousness - Assane feels neither French or Senegalese
