1. Describe the representations found on the DVD/film poster (include an image of DVD/film poster) (this should be a detailed character textual analysis - A2 level)
The DVD/film poster for Bend it like Beckham features the two main characters in the film, Jesminda and Julie. A friendship if clearly represented in the way Jesminda has her arm around Julie in a fun and friendly way. They both have laugh smiles as if they are laughing, showing they are happy together. This represents British teenage girls as friendly, fun and approachable. They are both also wearing casual clothing that gives a typical representation of teenage girls. Jesminda is wearing jogging bottoms and a vest, Julie a skirt and a vest. Jesminda's clothing gives a representation that fits well in to the film as she looks sporty and casual, where as Julie looks slightly more feminine but still casual. The lighting of the image is flattering and bright, representing them as fresh and young, as well as their clothing being mostly light colours supporting this point. They are both wearing blue which again suggests freshness as well as making them seem apraochable, giving a positive representation of teenage British girls. They have also been placed against a white background which again supports this idea. The tag line also supports the representations in the film of Indian culture and how it is challenged "Who wants to cook Aloo Gobi, when you can bend it like Beckham?" Paired with the image, this suggests that Jesminda is challenging Indian culture as the tag line uses juxtaposition with "Aloo Gobi" an Indian dish and "bend it like Beckham".
2. How does the film reflect changing attitudes to gender and ethnic identity in contemporary Britain?
The film shows traditional Indian culture throughout and how the younger girls, as well as some of the boys, are challenging the strict traditions. We see, for example, Jesminda's mother who follows the rules of Indian culture and is constantly telling Jesminda "when I was your age" and how she should remain within the boundaries to avoid "bringing shame upon their family". However Jess goes against her parents wishes and goes to play football, bearing her legs and getting romantically involved with her white coach, Joe. She also befriends other ethnicities such as Julie who is white and team captain is white. Although this isn't stepping over the boundaries of Indian culture, all the other Asian girls are friends with other Asian girls, showing that this is challenging the typical social life of this ethnicity. Women in the Indian culture seem to not have much authority and are expected to get married and get a job. We see the older Asian women that wear traditional saris as their every day clothing, but the younger girls wear more casual clothing showing how attitudes in this ethnicity are changing. At the end of the film Jess's family except what she wants to do which wouldn't normally be excepted in their culture, such as falling in love with a white man, Joe, travelling to University abroad before she gets married and playing football professionally. This shows how attitudes towards gender are changing in this ethnicity. Their are also attitudes changing towards the female gender in general. Men are beginning to accept women playing football and professional leagues have been started. We see some sexism in this film, for example when Jess goes to play football with the boys and they laugh at her because she is a girl. Julie's mother is also not approving of her playing football and wants her to be a typical girl, but at the end of the film she accepts her playing football again showing changing attitudes towards what is expected of female teenagers.
3. What are the problems Jess faces as a British Asian 18-year-old girl?
Jess faces many difficulties due to her culture and other people's attitudes towards her culture. The most obvious issue is the fact her parents don't want her to play football, they would rather she go to university and become a solicitor, get married and have children. They don't accept her passion until the end of the film which as I mentioned before, shows changing attitudes. She also has the issue of falling for her coach, Joe, who is unfortunatley fro her white, meaning her parents do not accept him. She also faces conflict with Julie who also loves Joe, which is a typical issue between teenage girls. Jess is also self concious about the burn scar on her leg, which again is a typical issue for teenage girls to be self concious about their bodies and worry what other people think of her. Her mother alos dissaproves of her revleaing this scar in her shorts, even though Joe supports her and tells her no one will notice, giving her some confidence within herself. Jess is also dragged in to her culture, constantly being expected to marry, know how to cook a full Indian dinner and so on, which she clearly does not want to do. This is resolved at the end of the film where her family finally accept her choices.
4. How can filmmakers make a difference by representing the diversity national, regional, religious and ethnic identity in UK?
By representing different nationalities, regional, religious and ethnic identities that are in the UK, film makers can help the audience to understand other cultures and the problems that effect them as well as their similarities. It encourages us to change our views and opinions on different cultures and support as well as oppose to some attitudes they may have. It also shows that in ways we are all the same, especially teenage girls, and helps the audience to have an understanding this idea. It also encourages respect for women in white culture and aisan culture. We are shown how Jess struggles and how some women don't want to follow these expectations, giving us sympathy and perhaps a changing attitude within Aisan culture to make more exceptions due to the changes of modern day women.
5. What does this film say about gender?
It shows us women who are challenging female stereotypes and the issues they may come across. We are also shown stereotypical female characters to contrast. It tells us that women who play football do not have much respect from males and this should be changed. It is representing these females in a positive way
6. In what way are British teens represented in this film? (use specific examples from the text, consider the fact that it is a positive representation)
7. What are the themes and issues of this film? How are they represented/what is the film saying about them? (friendship, gnder, ethnicity/culture, family, growing up)
