CAPTAIN FANTASTIC IDEOLOGY : Binary opposites

 Complete the list of binary opposites of ideological themes , issues and conflicts that occur in Captain Fantastic , adding in any more  you can think of. These can be opposites and contrasts in characters, themes, places, film form etc . that occur throughout or at points in the story

                        Jack        v      Ben 

                   Traditional    v   Alternative     (lifestyle and family )

                     Academic  education  v  practical education / life experience/social skills

     

                        conservative v  progressive

                        cold lighting v                       

                            Parent v  child

                             Ben v Bo

                      communism v capitalism

                            equality    v  

                             suburbia   v wilderness

                    

                                 safety  v risk

                                    

                      formal traditional ritual  v 

                    

                               

               

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC : FINAL SCENE

How does the final scene show how some of the main  ideological , character and narrative conflicts and binary opposites  in the film have been resolved  ?

How are the compromises and new equilibrium ( domestic situation, family relationships, schooling,lifestyle etc . ) shown through film form :  e.g  mise-en-scene , use of camera, lighting , sound and performance ?   

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC : Ideologies and themes 2 : RITUALS

 

How do the two  funeral scenes portray the different rituals ? Which is presented as  the  more positive and meaningful event ? 

Consider how film form  ( cinematography, editing ( including narrative structure , mise-en-scene, sound and performance ) is used to encourage us to support one ideology or belief system more than another through making the audience empathise   with particular character  or characters . 

This is known as creating allegiance between audience and characters .

Is this creation of allegiance fair and balanced  ? 

What is this contrast saying about the nature of traditional rituals ?

Are there any parts of the funeral and ashes disposal scene you find uncomfortable ? Why ?

       

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC : Issues and ideologies 1

 

Which social, personal, religious  or political themes and issues are raised and discussed in these scenes?  Are there others in the film ? 

Are we encouraged through the use of film form ( dialogue, camera shots e.g close ups lighting,  and the film's narrative ( previous scenes etc. ) to agree with one side of the discussions  and debates  more than another, or respond in a particular way  ? Find at least three examples of this use of  alignment in these scenes or in the rest of the film

Does our attitude to Ben and  Jack (the grandfather ) and their ideologies and beliefs change during the film ?  How and why ? Consider use of narrative events , dialogue, performance and other film form elements like use of close up or mid shots with other characters and how we come to view events and characters from different perspectives,

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC : Opening scene analysis

OPENING SCENE 

Analyse the opening scene of Captain Fantastic and answer the following questions using examples of film form to support your points

 What are the first impressions of the lifestyle and nature of the family the audience gets ? Are we encouraged to respond in a particular way to the landscape and the family's role in it ? Look at shot sizes, sound , pace of editing  and colour in particular.

Does this impression of the family change and develop in this scene? How does the director show this ? Consider lighting, mise-en-scene and performance.

Is there any sense of who the main characters will be and what their relationships and issues will be ?

What clues do we get about the themes and issues that will be explored in the film ?

HOLLYWOOD FILM AFTER 2005 Captain Fantastic ( Ross 2016)

 

You need to watch the entire film of Captain Fantastic ( our next text ) by our next lesson on Thursday as we will be analysing key scenes. 

The film is available on netflix and on this vimeo link

Here is some basic information about the film

MOCK EXAM QUESTION JANUARY 19 2021

' The director is the most important creative influence on the production and content of a film '.

 How far do you agree with this statement when applied to both of your chosen films ?  

( 40 marks)    1 hour