The Retuned Flashcards
Which channel was the returned aired on in the UK, and what time was it aired?
Channel 4
9pm
What does zeitgeist mean?
The defining sprit or mood of a particular period of time of history shown by ideas and beliefs of the time.
name 2 examples of settings in the returned that a common for the zombie genre.
- Isolated settings: Camille walking alone in the mountains in the dark
- Community setting: the parents support meeting
Name 2 examples of themes in the returned that link to the zombie genre
- Disillusionment: through the performance of Adele breaking down when Simon comes back.
- Isolation vs community: the wide angle shots emphasise the isolation compared to the community meeting in the next shot
Name 2 elements of narrative in the returned
- The ‘return’ from the dead as Todorovian disruption
- Quest based narrative
- Binary oppositions: living v dead, past v present
- Enigma codes throughout
- Stock characters
Name 2 elements of the style in the returned
- Music soundtracks
- Low key lighting
- Hard focus
- Tracking shots
- Closed frames
- Desaturated colour pallet
Why is the returned classed as a hybrid genre? How can Hesmonhalghs theory be applied to this?
The returned borrows from multiple genres for example: horror, drama, supernatural thriller.
This links to hesmondhalgh as they are taking very little risk by appealing to a wider audience allowing them to profit more.
How does the returned conform to the zombie genre? Give 3 examples
- Iconography of decaying flesh
- Wide shots of camille in a dark abandoned setting. (Isolation)
- Repeated flickering lights.
How does the retuned subvert the zombie genre?
- Its a hybrid so also includes other genres which are not usually associated with the zombi genre
2.The zombies are portrayed in a not threatening or violent way and don’t look like typical ‘zombies’
What is poetic magic realism?
Fantastical elements being introduced into a ‘real’ world
name 2 conventions of poetic magic realism.
- Stylised use of cinematography and lighting to direct audience attention to action and enigma codes
- Soft focus
- Visual story telling rather than dialogue
- Non- continuity editing eg. Jump cuts, flashbacks
- Long silences
- Music extremes
Why is magic realism included in the returned?
By combining magic realism in the genre it allows the writers to explore social issues within the narrative.
How does the returned reflect a more politically/ ideologically divided society?
- Though binary opposites: us v them, zombies v normal (division between the two)
- reflects on peoples attitudes to immigrants coming to France
Why are enigma codes included throughout the episode?
- so that people keep watching the show after the first episode
- The supernatural sub genre is reliant on enigmas ( due to the repertoire of elements)
- audiences usually expect some from of closure in the last episode, here it is minimal. This leaves intellectual puzzles for an active audience who will then become opinion leaders.
Name 2 narrative devices used in the returned
- Flashbacks: non-linear narrative structure that withholds the audience
- Use of title cards: action codes that help the audience understand temporal positions
- Fragmented editing
- Narrative ellipsis: not much revealed
- Surreal/ anti-realist elements at times
how are men represented in the returned?
-The men are presented as dominant rational, efficient
- Simon: conforms to dominant stereotypes of masculinity, seen as aggressive when he bangs on the door.
-pierre: symbolises the current mediatic characterisation of others as ‘savages’ that serve the purpose of presenting the west as human and migrants as non- human.
How are women represented in the returned?
- the women are shown as weak and vulnerable, needing comfort from the men.
- however Lena and Camille subvert these stereotypes at times as they are presented as independent, confident, rebellious.
Why is there risk associated with foreign language programming?
British audiences tend to resist programmes with subtitles. Channel 4 took a risk by launching the returned in a key prime time slot.
Channel 4 also lacks an established back catalogue of foreign language TV dramas so could not rely on the appeal of genre.
How did channel 4 try to promote the foreign language series?
-Through the use of trailers, channel 4s pre air promotional narration, commercial advertising and assertive twitter campaign to acclimatise the audience to the french series.
How does the returned subvert Curran and Seatons theory in terms of industry?
Channel 4 are subverting this theory as they are not focused on profit and power instead they aim to challenge audiences and introduce them to new things.
What was the production company commissioned by canal + called? What budget did they spend on series one?
- Haute et court
- 11 million euros
This impressive budget means the show has high production values. (However high budget means high risk)
How many views did the returned get in France alone?
1 million views
How does Hesmondhalgh link to economic context?
- to appeal to a wider audience they chose a hybrid genre
- they are backed by a conglomerate company Vivendi who are vertically and horizontally integrated meaning high production values.
- they took a risk by scheduling it as 9pm and would have been up against BBC shows on at the same time.
Who are the demographic?
Demographic: ABC1, both genders, all ages
Who is the primary target audience for the returned?
Initially fans of the supernatural thriller/ zombie genre.
Subtitles may appeal to a more specialist intellectual audience.
How did social media include audiences?
The buzz around the programme facilitated social interaction whereby audiences used social media to discuss the series. (Water cooler effect)
Apply the uses and gratification theory to the returned
Identification: audiences may identify with the characters as the concept of bereavement and loss is universal.
Diversion: genre (hybrid) , non-linear, intellectual puzzles
Social interaction: water cooler effect, social media, hashtags
Apply the uses and gratification theory to the returned
Identification: audiences may identify with the characters as the concept of bereavement and loss is universal.
Diversion: genre (hybrid) , non-linear, intellectual puzzles
Social interaction: water cooler effect, social media, hashtags
