British Social Realism Characteristics

Social Realism is a genre of film which focuses on giving the audiences a true indication of society and what life is like. British Social Realism is therefore, a sub-genre that focuses on mainly social realism in Britain. It often explores controversial issues that are present in society. For example:

• ·         Money
• ·         Teenage Pregnancy
• ·         Single-Parent families
• ·         Gang Violence
• ·         Homophobia
• ·         Abortion
• ·         Mental Illness
• ·         Peer Pressure

Codes and Conventions of BSR

·         Real-life locations – such as parks, council estates and local towns to help the audience relate to the film.

·         Unknown actors – Most of the cast aren’t well known Hollywood starts, they usually have minimal acting background.

·         Social class – actors often play characters from working class backgrounds to represent the majority of British society

·         Low Budget - BSR films create their films on a low budget this is why they may come across as grainy and low quality films.

Examples of British Social Realist Films:

This is England – Xenophobia, Gang violence, racism, peer pressure

About a Girl – teenage pregnancy, abortion

Billy Elliot – hyper masculinity, single-parent families, homophobia,

What about BSR institutions?

There are many institutions that work within the production of short films, these include production companies such as:

Film 4: Film 4 are owned by Channel 4, with its own TV channel on major networks such as Virgin Media and Sky TV. Their website have a section designed to focus on short films that it has produced or funded. Film 4 can broadcast their programmes/films to the whole of the UK meaning a lot of people will have an understanding of the film.

Woodfall: Woodfall Film Productions are featured on the British Film Institute website and successfully achieved the production BAFTA Award winning for their film, The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner. They are also featured on the British Film Institute website. Although they are more of a historic production company, it does portray the revolution of British Social Films in the mid-late 20th century.