Representation of women in Timbuktu

Representation of women in 'Timbuktu' 

Timbuktu is a 2014 independent film set in the Malian city, Timbuktu. It features people's lives being shown as the city is overrun by Jihadi soldiers. One of the main themes of the film is the treatment of women. The representation of women in the film is fairly strong considering the regime that they are being forced to live under. They are mostly seen as strong-willed and able to speak their minds. One women, who is forced to work selling fish, stands up to a soldier after he tries to force her to wear gloves. She argues that it is not possible to do her work and wear gloves simultaneously. The fact that she has the courage to stand up to him shows a change in what would usually be shown. Even though she is taken away as a result, she still shouts at the soldier and does not leave reluctantly.

Another strong female character seen in the film is a mother of a girl who has been asked by a stranger to marry him. At first she talks with him calmly before stating that she does not want her daughter to marry a complete stranger. When the man threatens her and says he will take her daughter by force she firmly proclaims 'I am not afraid of you' claiming to only fear God. A different woman argues with a man when he tells her that she should cover her head. In Islamic nations like this it is tradition for women to cover their heads. The fact that she does not do this shows a changing society.    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Weekly Film:Looper

Image
Looper Looper is an action sci-fi film released in 2013 starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon Levitt. It contains themes of crime, time travel and running from a past.  It was directed by Rian Johnson, who work includes Brick and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The film has two different actors playing the same character: as an older and younger version. Bruce Willis portrays an older Joe whilst Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrayed a younger Joe. In order to make his role as a younger Willis more realistic Levitt studied Willis' older films to pick up his mannerisms. I would definitely say that Levitt's character is the most intriguing in the entire film due to his great portrayal and interesting ideals. Looper was made on a budget of $30 million and managed to gain over $176 million at the worldwide box office. It received exceptional reviews by critics and audiences earning a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.4/10 rating on IMDB. It won multiple awards that mainly praised Johnso
Read more

Film theories and Shaun of the Dead

Film theories and Shaun of the Dead Propp theory: Propp's theory of narrative is that it is driven by 8 characters. The Hero, villain, princess father, dispatcher, donor, false hero and sidekick. This works for Shaun of the Dead as each character could fall into these brackets. Shaun is the obvious hero, Ed is the obvious sidekick and it could be said that the villains are the zombies themselves. Liz is the princess character as she is the typical love interest. Yvonne could be described as the helper or the donor character due to her help in the narrative. Dave is the false hero which is primarily seen in the middle of the film where he tries to shoot Shaun's mother after the revelation that she has been bitten by a zombie as well as when it is revealed that he is in love with Liz. The story is driven by these characters and how they respond to zombies attacking them. Barthes theory: Narratives are a series of codes that are read and interpreted by the audience. These
Read more

Weekly Film: Baby Driver

Image
Baby Driver Analysis Baby Driver is an action, comedy film released in 2017 starring Ansel Elgort. It contains themes of crime, relationships and trying to leave an old life behind. It was directed by Edgar Wright, someone who has been known to do comedic films in the past such as Shaun of the Dead and Ant Man. The opening of the film relies heavily on its soundtrack which is impressively synchronised into what is happening in the narrative. This use of intertexuality is quite nostalgic to a certain period of time (the 80s). Colour is subtley used throughout the film reflecting a characters personality. At parts of the film where the main character, Baby, was living for the thrill of the chase, the environment is very bright and sunny. The settings mise-en-scene includes tall buildings and fast cars, things commonly associated with a rich and satisfying lifestyle. However at points when he is feeling low and trapped he is seen in darker settings. I would not considered
Read more