800 Words: British Film comparison

Comparing three British films and the themes they all share in common.

The three films I am comparing are ‘the selfish giant’ by Clio Barnard, ‘my brother the devil’ by Sally El Hosaini and ‘fish tank’ by Andrea Arnold as I believe them all share similar themes.

Firstly, the theme of poverty is showcased throughout all films. This is shown in ‘the selfish giant’ when Arbor and Swifty sell copper wires and giving the money to their parents. This micro element of ‘performance’ shows that these young boys feel responsible to look after their families, and don’t have a childish mind-set with the way they deal with money and show their knowledge of the poverty they’re living in. Furthermore, the microelement ‘mis en scene’ suggest that the boys wear the same tracksuit for a few days getting dirtier and dirtier by the minute, this indicates again that they’re poor and don’t have enough money to keep clean and wear fresh clothes. This is also shown in ‘my brother the devil’ when Mo’s Mother pulls out the only £20 she had in her purse to give to him when they ran out of electricity.  The microelement of ‘light’ being very dark showing their lives are in an isolated place trapped in poverty. Also, the use of ‘performance’ showing Mo’s emotions when his mother gives him the money indicates his awareness that they’re in poverty, which then motivates him into selling drugs to prove for his family. Moreover, poverty is shown in ‘fish tank’ when Mia looks out the window of the view of her area of block buildings, and shows her from the window and the typical ‘mis en scene’ of an estate showing she’s trapped in this estate due to poverty. Furthermore, this is shown through ‘performance’ when Mia steals money from the step dad, showing no remorse when taking the money.

Secondly, the theme of relationships is shown throughout these films. This is shown in ‘the selfish giant’ through Arbor and Swifty, they show a strong sense of friendship, and stuck by each other to get money up until Swifty died. The microelement ‘performance’ showed Arbor’s emotions in tragedy when his best friend died.  This is also shown in ‘my brother the devil’ through Rash and Mo, they show a strong sense of brotherhood. This is showcased when Mo took a bullet to the arm lying to the friend that wanted to kill Rash. This is also shown when Rash strongly permits to his friends that he doesn’t want his brother involved in his lifestyle, Rash indicated the responsibility and protectiveness of his little brother, Mo.  Furthermore, this is shown in ‘fish tank’ when Mia and her little sister hug before she leaves. Even though they portrayed they didn’t get along, they made the audience aware they shared a hate and love relationship, the little sister cries featuring the micro element of ‘performance’ that she loves her sister dearly. This is also shown when her and her mother dance, it was their way of saying goodbye, even though they showed no mother and daughter bond, the ‘performance’ of dance was effective
indicating their love.

Lastly, the theme of escapism is shown throughout these films. This is shown in ‘the selfish giant’ when Arbor and Swifty kept digging for copper wire to get money and ‘escape’ poverty. This illuminates that the boys have had enough of their lifestyle, wanting to change and get out of it. This is also shown in ‘my brother the devil’ when Rash does all he can to leave his lifestyle and is demonstrated when he packs his bags and leaves with Syed.  This indicates that he is happy with Syed and after all the years not knowing his true reality he felt trapped and unhappy, when he leaves his family indicates that he has found a better life. Furthermore this is shown through Mia, when she finds her way of escaping the estate through her friend that wants to take her to Wales, she doesn’t hesitate at all and packs her bags to leave. This presents that she was trapped in the house she was in, due to her age, poverty and family problems-  hence the name ‘fish tank’ the fish connotes Mia and that she is trapped in the ‘tank’ and can’t leave.