Synopsis
Mia (played by newcomer Katie Jarvis) lives with her mom and younger sister and doesn't have any friends, or at least none that she likes. When her mum (Kierston Wareing) brings home a new boyfriend (Michael Fassbender), everything changes for her. It's not the polished, happy-go-lucky kind of story you'd see in America, but it's a gritty look at a girl who has few passions in life and is living day-to-day just to get by. So when Connor steps into her life, it sparks a bit of joy inside of her and gives her a new sense of direction, or so we think.
Q. What genre of film are the synopsis and main trailer suggestive of? Is there a cultural tradition in the U.K. of films like this? Are there any other film directors who work in this tradition?
Main Trailer
What is a trailer designed to do?
Generate interest in the film?
Inform the audience about the release date?
Show off the stars of the film?
Show the film to its best advantage?
Create excitement/interest?
Tell people what the film is about, e.g. the genre?
Not give too much of the plot away?
Tease the audience by setting up narrative enigmas?
Showcase some of the best bits of the film?
Give details about the production team?
Watch the trailer several times. Then write one paragraph answering the questions listed below.
Q1. Discuss the use of codes and conventions used in the construction of this film trailer.
Q2. Consider the representations of people and places in this film trailer.
Q3. What does this film trailer tell us about the institutions involved?
Q4. Explore some of the ways in which this film trailer communicates with its target audiences.
Production Companies
BBC Films - http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms/
UK Film Council - New Cinema Fund - http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/newcinemafund
Limelight - http://www.limelightfilm.com/
Q. List the details of the New Cinema Fund. What kind of filmmaker is it aimed at? What other films have been funded this way?
Distributor (UK)
Artificial Eye
http://www.artificial-eye.com/film.php?cinema=fishtank&plugs&qt=false&wm=false
Distributor (Worldwide)
ContentFilm International -
http://www.contentfilm.com/index.php/film_tv/contentfilm_international/new_films/762.html
Q. What kind of institutions are Artificial Eye and ContentFilm International? Who are they owned by? Where are they based?
Website - http://www.fishtankmovie.com/
IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1232776/
Reviews
Overview of the film - http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/movie/129893/fish-tank
http://www.newstatesman.com/film/2009/09/fish-tank-mia-arnold-essex
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/may/14/cannes-film-festival-andrea-arnold-fish-tank-review
http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=175378%C2%A7ion=review
http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/86764/fish-tank.html
Publicity
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/video/2009/sep/10/trailerpark-drama
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/07_july/28/fishtank.shtml
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/cannes/article6288427.ece
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/A56696881
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/A16714631 - background information on the director’s earlier film ‘Red Road’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAhPNz9rAVQ
http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the-story-behind-fish-tank
Trailer for Andrea Arnold's First Film Red Road (2006)
Released in 2003, 'Wasp' is Andrea Arnold's Oscar winning short film that stars Nathalie Press as a struggling single mother determined not to let her four young children prove an obstacle in the pursuit of rekindling a relationship with ex-boyfriend Danny Dyer. Dartford (Arnold's hometown) is the setting for this troubling film.
Q. What kind of messages do Arnold's films appear to send? What does she appear to be interested in?
