Metalanguage What can be included in your comparative

Metalanguage What can be included in your comparative discussions…

Metalanguage for film Metalanguage refers to the technical terms that describe language. For films, we need to consider cinematography – the technical side in the making of the film… • • • Film Camera angle - the point of view (POV) or perspective of the shot Drama-comedy Camera movement - e. g. pan, tilt, track, zoom, hand-held Scene Editing – how scenes are arranged and put together Protagonist Cut – how scenes change from one to another e. g. jump-cut, cross-cutting Supporting character Mise en scène – how all the elements in a shot are arranged, such as: • • Dialogue Narrative structure (See example below) - costumes Climax - lighting Turning point - setting Resolution (blocking) - movement of actors - music and sound Foreshadowing **You don’t necessarily have to use these actual terms in your essay. Symbolism You can just describe what the audience sees/hears and the effect it Contrast has. ***

Camera angle - Low angle shot conveys a sense of power. Composition: Close, ‘huddled’ nature of characters suggests conspiracy and manipulation. Costume: All wearing same suit signifies solidarity and masculine authority. Blocking: Body language and facial expressions demonstrate their condescending attitude towards the women.

Composition: Rita is the central focus of the shot, showing her control and power here. Costume: She stands out amongst a sea of suits in her blue outfit, highlighting her courage and independence. She is a true leader now. Blocking: She strides forward confidently with head held high, a stark contrast to the woman who reluctantly agreed to come along to the Ford management meeting at the beginning of the film.

First and last scene – riding bikes • Music reflects good times and free values, sense of community • Women riding together, represents solidarity and unity • Initial scene shows women as separate • Final scene shows women returning to work but men are also included in shot • What sections in ‘I Am Malala’ reflect unit and support between women? • Malala and her fellow female students?

Clothing is symbolic • Blue uniform is worn at beginning when Rita is compliant but discarded later • Clarke (schoolteacher) wears academic robes • Clothes can symbolise power or peace • Malala refuses to wear headscarf – a sign of defiance, also links to Malala’s namesake taking her headscarf off going into battle • Women in bras – represents women’s liberation, sexuality • Red dress – socialist associations, unity, unions • School uniforms – later bloodstained by the Taliban act of violence

Rita the leader…stand up and stand out • Rita is frequently shown centred in the Mise-en-Scene or framed to make her stand out • Colours such as red (passion, socialism) or ocean blue (peace) are used for her clothing • We (the viewer) are positioned to see her from the position of another worker, as the leader – the one is inspiring and taking control

Leaders and equals • Symbolism of Rita’s interaction with Barbara, women are seen as balancing the shot, neither is centred • When the full shot is shown, Rita and Barbara are on one side and the other three women on the chair on the other side • Lisa also wears red indicating that they are alike in beliefs and cause, the colour could also represent love of friends and comrades who stand united in their position as women and those oppressed or suffering injustice – Lisa the scholar and law, Barbara the politician and Rita the worker and mother, all groups in the equation for resolution are represented

The importance of supportive males • Albert is also frequently centred in the shot or framed in a way that shows his support of Rita (e. g. stirring the tea or in private conversation) • His facial expressions are emphasised with close up shots, highlighting his emotions about the women’s position and where his support lies • Malala’s parallel account of her Father’s support, words and actions that oppose the traditional response of males in that society, reveal the necessity of male support for a women challenging the oppression created by a male dominated, imbalanced society (Patriarchy)

Text Features for Both Text 1 & Text 2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Setting & Context Main Characters, their Challenges and Choices Text Features and Narrative Structure and Voice Ideas, Issues and Themes Different Perspectives and Views Author’s Message and Author’s Construction of Meaning Conclusions Drawn by the Authors & Characters in their Endings

Task 1: Highlight the metalanguage in the sample below. Sample prompt: How do both ‘I am Malala’ and ‘Made in Dagenham’ depict courage and strength in their fight for fairness? Sample paragraph: The protagonists of both the film and the memoir demonstrate immense personal strength in the face of significant opposition. Indeed, the name Malala is given at birth foreshadows the courage that she will display later in life, as her namesake, Malalai of Maiwand, was an Afghan heroine who raised her voice for what she believed in, boldly facing her enemies despite the risk of death. While Malala attributes much of her own inner strength to her cultural background, claiming that “heroism is in the Pashtun DNA”, she displays unwavering commitment, even when those around her are faltering. As threats from the Taliban increase, Ziauddin suggests that they should stop their campaigning; Malala reminds him that “you were the one who said if we believe in something greater than our lives, then our voices will only multiply even if we are dead. ” She refuses to stop the campaign, even though her life is in danger. While Rita does not face similar risks, she too encounters extreme hostility. She realises the impact of the strike on the wider community when Gordon verbally abuses her on the street, blaming her for the unemployment the men now face as a result. An off centre, full shot of Rita reveals her alone and disoriented in the empty street, the televisions in the shop window behind her a reminder of Eddie’s promise of “colour” in happier times, signifying her sudden realisation of the men’s waning support and the opposition she now faces as a consequence. Despite this, she continues her struggle. Her courage culminates in the climactic scene of the film, when Rita speaks with strength and confidence at the Eastbourne National Trade Union Conference. In contrast to the scene with Gordon, Rita here occupies the centre of the shot, indicating her growth into a powerful leader. Her blue outfit distinguishes her amongst a sea of suits, highlighting her courage and independence as she petitions the men for their support: “We are the working classes – the men and the women”. We clearly see that both heroines demonstrate substantial bravery in their respective campaigns for equality, despite significant adversity.

Task 2: What key scenes and metalanguage could you use for the paragraphs below: Sample prompt: Compare the different ways I am Malala and Made in Dagenham show the cost for standing up to bring about social change. Paragraph 1: In both texts, the protagonists must sacrifice something extremely important to them. - I Am Malala – Her safety: the deformity of her left eye is a constant reminder of the shooting, a symbol of “the beauty of her sacrifice” - Made in Dagenham - ______________________________________ Paragraph 2: Standing up to injustice results in loss and hardship for both Malala and Rita’s families too. - I Am Malala – Leaving behind the Swat Valley: the contrast of Birmingham’s stark emptiness with Swat’s fertile and bustling chaos. The tapa poem reveals Toor Pekai’s loneliness and yearning for her own culture. - Made in Dagenham - ______________________________________ Paragraph 3: Both texts reveal that despite the sacrifices, fighting for equality is worth any cost. - I Am Malala – The irony of the Taliban’s actions making Malala’s campaign global. The imagery of the “magical” doorway of education. Metaphor: oppression = “clouds”, education = “the sun”. - Made in Dagenham - ______________________________________