Bash Street ~

Genre Awareness 1

Social Realism

Barthes~ The symbolic code within Bash Street represents the creation of drama and
character development, mostly within the main characters. However the other
characters do have a similar importance as they create the atmosphere and storyline for
the main characters and the area in which they might live.
The semantic code within Bash Street illustrates the connotation of the relationship
between Jan and Matty, as well as externally in their own family's. Thus creating an
extra layer of meaning in addition to the literal meaning.
Todorov~ Bash Street follows this sequence of events by there being the disruption,
realisation, restoration then finally back to equilibrium. Like many social realism style
films, this is a common feature, as well as action films. However not all genres or films
follow this structure.
Propp~ Bash Street doesnt necessarily fit Propps character type theory since the genre
is focused on social realism rather than an action or rom-com style piece. Which usually
includes exaggerated character types, that support his narrative theory.
Levi Strauss~ Bash Street references elements of Levis narrative theory, however not
fully. Bash Street has elements of Good vs Evil and Strong vs Weak, in the scenes which
show physical and verbal abuse, as well as the drug and alcohol neglect. This represents
the binary opposites creating a political unrest within the film, which may cause
controversy and debate within the audience.

Narrative

The genre of Bash Street is very clearly presented

as Social Realism. This is due to the trailer
including the phrase A film made in
Chippenham with Chippenham people about life
in any town. Which already suggest that many of
the actors are portraying working class families
being involved with drug and domestic abuse.
However in terms of originality, this style of
social realism can be considered a stereotype of
the genre and many other films following a
similar storyline.

Genre

The black & white filter represents a struggling,

working class family life, which may connote
sadness or anger. Especially in confrontation
scenes where the characters are distressed and
upset.
However the sepia tone may represent happiness
and possibly a delusional state of mind due to
the these particular scenes including less speech
and more acting.

Representation

Audience~ Crowds flocked to the Astoria Reel Cinema for the

premiere of Chippenham-based film Bash Street. It was filmed
around the town, including at Karma nightclub, Revolutions
restaurant and The Audley Arms. It also features many up-andcoming stars from North Wiltshire Young Peoples Theatre Group.
Institutions~ Former Spice Girl Mel wrote a theme song for the
low-budget production, which stars actor Con ONeill and former
EastEnders actress Jan Graveson. The film was put together over
five years on a budget of just 7,000 by Chippenham charity
Kandu Arts. . Kandu Arts is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated
to promoting social and ecological development within the
community. It was funded by the Regional Investment Fund for
England through the UK Film Council and South West Screen.

Audience and Institution