Question 2 - How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

In a traditional thriller movie the protagonist is male, usually because they are seen to be more powerful, stronger and have a greater knowledge about fighting than women which are portrayed as weaker and less able to fight compared to men.

In our film the protagonist is female in her young twenties. Camilla is immediately presented as weak and powerless. This is represented because the first time we see Camilla she is running away from someone, her jacket gets caught in the branches and she is so scared she decides to leave it behind this informs the audience that she needs to get away from the chaser and shows her fear. Camilla’s fear is presented further more when she gets a phone call from an unknown number which she will not answer. Camilla is not completely characterise as powerless as she is shown as important and smart, this is expressed through her job, we see her coming out of a modern office building in London, Camilla is wearing expensive and smart clothes.  Even though the audience does not hear her speak it is clear by her job and the way she dresses that she will be well spoken and is a well educated and good person. This will make the audience ask the question what could she have done to make someone want to hurt her. She is also represented as brave because even though she is terrified she is determined to get away from the person chasing her.

Some examples of a traditional thrillers are Batman, James Bond and Jason Bourne. In all of these films the protagonist are male, have weapons and know how to fight.

In conclusion Camilla is represented as weak in terms of fighting and protecting herself but is then characterised as having a successful career in The City, showing she is successful and smart.