MEDIA P1 CSP - Blinded by the light

Question 1

What was the budget of BBTL?

Answer 1

BBTL had a reasonably low budget of 15 million USD

Question 2

What music does BBTL feature?

Answer 2

BBTL features Bruce Springsteens music

Question 3

Which companies were involved in the development of BBTL?

Answer 3

Bend it films developed the fim with support and funding from Levantine films, cornerstone films, and ingenious media

Question 4

Who are levantine films?

Answer 4

Levantine films helped develop BBTL, they are an independent production company that had a major success with hidden figures in 2016 which grossed $230m at the worldwide box office

Question 5

Who are ingenious media?

Answer 5

Ingenious media helped develop BBTL, and they are an investment company that invests money in projects that have the potential to deliver future profits

Question 6

What book is BBTL based on?

Answer 6

The film is adapted from a book called ‘greetings from bury park’ by Sarfraz manzoor, which is a play on greetings from asbury park which is a bruce springsteen album

Question 7

Who directed BBTL?

Answer 7

BBTL was co-written and directed by Gurinder Chadha who had a smash hit in 2002 with her film bend it like beckham

Question 8

Which film festival did BBTL premiere on?

Answer 8

BBTL premiered at the sundance film festival, where it was picked up by New line cinema after a bidding war with various other major film distributors

Question 9

Who are New line cinemas?

Answer 9

New line cinemas are an american production studio owned by warner brothers pictures group, which helped get the film distributed in the US

Question 10

What did the film festival help BBTL achieve?

Answer 10

The auction following the world premier at the sundance film festival in january 2019 guaranteed the film a major global cinema release which many films never achieve

Question 11

When was the film released in cinemas?

Answer 11

The film was released in cinemas worldwide in august 2019

Question 12

What deal did BBTL achieve with a TV company?

Answer 12

BBTL also achieved a deal with amazon prime in early 2020 for streaming in the UK

Question 13

How much revenue did BBTL generate?

Answer 13

BBTL grossed approximately $18 million worldwide

Question 14

What genre is BBTL?

Answer 14

BBTL is a hybrid genre consisting of social realist, drama, comedy, coming of age, musical

Question 15

What helped attract an audience for BBTL

Answer 15

BBTL appealed to a wide audience through word of mouth, reliance on Bruce Springsteen bringing in fans of his music, the contemporary issues around race appealing more to the youth

Question 16

What marketing techniques did BBTL use?

Answer 16

BBTL used marketing methods of trailers, they released a youtube trailer, a british trailer through entertainment one, and an american trailer through warner brothers

Question 17

What is the age rating of BBTL?

Answer 17

BBTL was rated by the BBFC as a 12a

Question 18

What audience does the film typically appeal to?

Answer 18

The film would have been appealing particularly to ethnic minority audiences, and also to those white audiences who disagreed with all the racism in the media at the time

Question 19

How can barthes theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 19

The film is full of historical and cultural references to 1980s Britain, such as Thatcherism, unemployment, and rising far-right nationalism.

These references ground the narrative in real social struggles and help audiences understand Javed’s challenges more deeply – cultural codes.

The scene showing the national front graffiti and racist abuse reflect real historical tensions in 1980s Luton

Question 20

How can neales theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 20

BBTL mixes multiple genres such as coming of age, social realism, and musical, in order to create a narrative that feels familiar yet fresh.

This genre hybridit shows neales theory in action as it repeats familiar genre tropes but also differs through its cultural setting and use of music.

The coming of age arc is recognisable as javed is a teen struggling with identity, family, and ambition, and the musical aspect comes through Springsteens music being used

Question 21

How can strauss’ theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 21

There is clear binary opposition between tradition and freedom through Javed, since Javeds father expects him to study, support the family, and uphold pakistani cultural norms, while javed wants to become a writer and chase his own dreams

Question 22

How can Baudrillards theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 22

The film visually blurs reality and media through stylised sequences where Springsteen’s lyrics appear in the air, around buildings, and in Javed’s environment, creating moments of hyperreality since that does not happen in real life.

The scene where Javed listens to ‘dancing in the dark’ while lyrics light up on walls and float through the streets of Luton shows this

Question 23

How can todorvs theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 23

at the start of the film Javed is living a fairly ordinary life going to school and following his fathers expectations.

Disruption – occurs when Javed is introduced to Bruce springsteen’s music by his classmate roops which shifts his entire worldview and challenges his current identity.

New equilibrium – at the end of the film Javed is no longer the passive boy at the start and has negotiated a new version of himself that includes both Springsteen’s values and his own heritage

Question 24

How can propps theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 24

• Hero – Javed
• Villain – societal oppression
• Donor – his classmate roops
• helper – Ms. Clay
• Dispatcher – springsteens lyrics

Question 25

How can halls representation theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 25

The film constructs a complex and humanising representation of british-pakistani life through Javed’s family. This challenges stereotypical media portrayls that often show south asian characters as one dimensional

Question 26

How can gauntletts theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 26

Javed’s identity is shown as constructed, since his journey involves actively building who he is through media influences such as springsteens music, personal expression such as poetry, and cultural negotiation such as his heritage.

Question 27

How can butlers theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 27

The film presents multiple versions of masculinity which suggests that gender is performed differently depending on context. Javed’s father performs a traditional, patriarchal masculinity valuing control, stoicism, and duty, as can be seen through him expecting Javed to focus on providing for the family. Javed performs a more emotional and creative masculinity that resists the norms, as can be seen through him writing poetry and singing along emotionally to Springsteen.

Question 28

How can mulveys theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 28

Eliza is often shot in ways that highlight her appearance, especially in scenes where Javed looks at her through a lens of admiration. These moments can be interpreted as moments of gaze where her appearance is emphasised.

Question 29

How can van zoonens theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 29

Javed’s mother and sister are portrayed largely in traditional passive gender roles. They serve the family, primarily focusing on maintaining the household and supporting Javed’s fathers authority. Eliza can be seen in a slightly more active role as she is outspoken, independent, and politically engaged. She challenges Javed’s narrow view of the world and encourages him to express his individuality, showing she is a female who is guiding a male

Question 30

How can gilroys theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 30

Javed’s experiences as a pakistani muslim in 1980s Britian reflect the ways in which racial identity intersects with cultural identity in a postcolonial world. He faces both discrimination and racism because of his ethnic background, highlighting the racial tensions present in a multicultural society that carries the scars of its colonial past

Question 31

How can gerbners theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 31

Audiences who have been repeatedly exposed to narrow representations of pakistani families or muslim characters may have internalized certain assumptions or stereotypes. BBTL confronts those cultivated perceptions, offering a more humaised view of a british pakistani family.

Question 32

How can jenkins theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 32

Jenkins argues that fans use media texts to help make sense of their lives, and Javed does exactly that through his passion for Bruce Springsteen and his music. Javed feels as if the lyrics are written for him, so he covers his bedroom walls with the lyrics and even begins writing poetry and journalism inspired by Springsteen's themes. This is a clear example of textual poaching, since Javed takes elements of Springsteen's work and remakes them in his own versions.

Question 33

How can shirkys theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 33

reviewers, bloggers, youtubers, or tiktok creators who engage with the film by creating their own content in response to it, shows how fans are using technology to become more active and interactive audiences rather than being passive viewers. This is evident since some Springsteen fans and south Asian youth have made reaction videos, fan edits, or vlogs discussing how the film resonated with them.

Question 34

How can banduras theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 34

For many viewers Javed functions as a positive role model, since he is someone who faces racism, cultural pressure, and self-doubt, but still pursues his passion. Fans may imitate his courage, resilience, or emotional openness.

Question 35

How can halls reception theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 35

preffered reading – audience accept the films message that self expression, cultural hybridity, perserverence are powerful tools for overcoming adversity. Negotiated reading – audience may agree with the idea of self expression but feel the story oversimplifies or ramticises some struggles. Oppositional reading – view rejects the films progressive themes due to potentially having racist, nationalist, or culturally conservative views

Question 36

How can curran and seatons theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 36

Large media conglomerates often prioritise profit driven content, however BBTL does not follow this model as it’s a character driven anc culturally specific story. Its existence challenges the idea that of profit driven conglomerates leading to a lack of variety in the media

Question 37

How can livingstone and lunts theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 37

BBTL is a 12a rated film, it avoids graphic violence or language, instead using its themes to educate and aspire. This shows that they are finding a middle ground between citizen based and consumer based regulation

Question 38

How can hesmondhalghs theory be applied to BBTL?

Answer 38

BBTL reduces its risk by building the narrative around a familiar proven cultural brand of bruce springsteens music. This strategy is a common way to minimise risk and maximise profit, by attracting fans of his work.