Peaky Blinders Media Language Flashcards
what is peaky blinder’s genre?
it’s cross-genre / hybrid. it has many characteristics of gangster subgenre. it differs from other crime genres by focusing on the personal lives of a criminal family. it’s also a historical drama - using lavish production design to evoke a specific period and location (Birmingham 1919).
what is special about each season?
Steven Knight (creator/chief writer) said each season is based on a different movie genre. season 1 is focussed on Western. he wanted to mythologise british working class lives similarily to americans turning agriculture farmers into cowboys and western heroes.
what are typical gangster conventions?
the importance of family loyalty - it doesn’t matter who the enemy is, the family protect each other. the family dynamic focus is reminiscent of US crime drama ‘The Sopranas’. narrative - typical of genre, the power of the criminal family is threatened by other gangs, the law and threats within.
what can be said about characters roles?
protagonist - cool and ambitious antihero who uses intelligence as well as violence to ascend the ranks of criminal family. a man of few words. antagonist - lawmaker who is investigating the family, resorts to unorthodox methods to achieve results. Campbell is Tommy’s binary opposite.
what are references to Western?
Tommy riding through the streets, while the townspeople hiding when he arrives. the peaceful living room that hides the gang den.
what does Knight say about the Midlands?
he describes it as “a black hole for TV production in the middle of the country”. While up north, cultural history is celebrated, in the Midlands, there are very few TV shows, especially Birmingham. he wants to reveal the secret history of England, the lives/drama of less wealthy people.
