British film since 1995 - Fish Tank

 Fish Tank (Arnold, 2009)























- New mood in British film in mid 1990s
- Lack of funding for British film during Thatcher's time in office (1971-91)
- 1990s brought new initiatives on the financial front contribute to output from different directors
- Work varied reflecting social and cultural contexts of Britain
- Works of Gurindha Chadha - marks contribution of Asian-British film production
- 1990s onwards - continuing to offer what British film and cinema does best in terms of social realism but also new directions cross genres: sci-fi, comedy, horror, urban - e.g. Danny Boyle, Edgar Wright, Jonathan Glazer
- Social realism continues to respond to new social issues: Loach, Leigh, Arnold, Morley, Gavron, Potter

Opening sequence:

Use of sound:
- All diegetic
- Realism
- Music contrapuntal to the argument - Mia's behaviour and anger - diegetic

Camera work:
- Hand-held and shaky 
- Camera shows us what Mia sees (POV shot)
- Focus on her perspective and also others' perception of her
- Wide shots of the girls dancing - close together in the shot
- Opening shot - back shot of Mia - looking out the window- trapped 

Editing:
- Slow-pace - reflects realism
- Uncomfortable pauses and long takes - boredom, anticipation

Performance:
- Immediately introduced to main character who is rude and brash
- Movement - tracking shots - keep up with her
- She commands the scene - presence
- Interaction with other people
- Use of space in the frame - Mia is in the centre and foregrounded - power

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