Representation and Ideology in The Lady from Shanghai (Welles, 1947).

The Lady from Shanghai (Welles, 1947) Representation and Ideology

A1 Film Studies

Representation: The description or portrayal of a group or an individual in a particular way.

Ideology: A system of ideas and values shared by a social group or society and related to economic power.

All films may be said to attempt to re- present some aspect of ‘the world out there’. Films present the audience with a specific and particular way of seeing the world. Representations of individuals and groups within a film can reveal the film’s hidden ideology. If individuals or groups are not represented, this is also significant.

Are the representations stereotyped? Or more complex?

Task.

In relation to Lady from Shanghai’ (Welles,1947), examine the representation of the following groups and comment on:

1.    Representation of ethnicity

2.    Representation of women

3.    Representation of age

4.    Representation of men

What ideology is revealed by the representations or lack of them?

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