Film Poster Research - Jack Peagam

Brighton Rock

Narrative

•  The woman placed on the right of the poster is wearing red lipstick - this in fact could connote something about her 'sexiness' and seduction of her character. This woman also has a very serious expression while looking towards the male character, who seems to be presented as the main protagonist. This could be linked to the seduction of her character and may well be indicating that there is some sort of relationship between herself and the male character.
• Due to the dark colour scheme used we may be able to assume that the genre of a thriller may be present within the film, and that there may possibly be scenes including crime or death. The shadows may also be trying to suggest that they could be wanting to hide their identity due to certain actions that have taken place within the narrative.
• This film is in fact based on a noval, and so therefore the audience of this film may already have knowledge of the narrative before even watching the film.

Representation

• Straight away I can see that the poster has been represnted as very patriarchal; the male seems to be shown as the dominant character. This is connoted through the use of his serious facial expression and body langauge. In addition to this he also looks very sinister - this is shown though his costume (a suit) and he is making the contrast between himself and the two other female characters very dominant.
• In addition to this the male character has also been positioned slightly in front of the two female characters which is again, emphasising the point of patriarchy, showing the differentiation between the gender roles, especially because the film is set in the 50s, and thereby is trying to represent how men were seen as superior to women within that time period.
• The female character to the left of the poster looks very concerned which has been portrayed through her facial expression, and especially through her body language. She has her left arm held up which may be connoting her sense of fear and defensiveness, or in fact weakness of her character in contrast to the two opposing characters. As well as this she is also the older character, so again, this could further emphasise the fact that she is weaker.   

Genre

• The colours primarily seen are dark colours and the lighting is portraying a very dark atomsphere, thereby this is therefore as a result immediately conveying that the genre may possibly well be a thriller.
• The use of the words used within the reviews such as 'thrilling' and 'spell bounding' also help us to realise what kind of genre the film is.
• The wording within this poster is in fact very important in determining the genre of this film. Another example of where this is apparent is the use of 'From the producer of Atonement' this film is in fact a British romantic drama war film, and thereby will be indicating other certain aspects of the film genre that may be apparent within the narrative.  

Audience

• The reviews from 'The Times' and 'The Guardian' gives us a clue of the intended audience for this film, which is suggesting that people who read this newspaper could be an audience for this film. Both are 'sophisticated' news papers and so therefore gives us an understanding of the type of audience that the film is aimed at. 
• In addition to this, we film is also based on a novel which again, could be suggesting a 'sophisticated' and educated audience. 

Layout/Design

Archipelago

Narrative

• The characters have been placed individually separate within the poster, and have been placed quite distant between each other. This could possibly be suggesting their relationship with each other; maybe their relationships are also 'distant'. 
• In addition the characters have been placed in different places in regards to how far they are into the frame, for example the male is placed at the front of the poster so may be suggesting that he is the leading character and this is who the audience will want to concentrate on while watching the film. 
• Another indicator of the narrative is the definition of the word 'archipelago' which is found at the top of the poster, which is placed within the setting in the background of the poster. Both of these elements are indicating that the islands may possibly have some relevance to the film. 

Representation

• As well as the 'Brighton Rock' film poster, it gives of a sense of patriarchal as the male is the leading character, due to him being positioned very close to the front. By him being placed at the front this is reinforcing the fact that he may be more dominant, and has much more status/power compared to the other characters. 
• The women in fact, all seem to be looking at the floor, compared to both the men who are looking ahead to the distance. This could be a sign of the women being weak and may be connoting that they're giving up. 

Genre

• It is evident in the background that the sea seems to be quite rough which could indicate certain events that will happen in the filming, suggesting that it could be rather dramatic within the narrative, indicating a drama genre. As well as this the scenery is also rather dark, which could give a sense of the dull atmosphere that the film is portraying. 
• Another feature of this poster that gives clues of the genre are the reviews. For example, one of the reviews mentions that it is 'frequently very funny' which is therefore suggesting that it could fall within the comedy genre. 

Audience

• Placed in the poster, it mentions the director's name as well as another film that she has directed. This is therefore suggesting that it may be of a similar film to the one mentioned, and so as a result this film may be aimed at those who have seen the film mentioned called 'Unrelated'. 
• In addition to this, is also mentions on the poster that it is 'directed with the eye of a daring and mischievous artist...marks Joanna Hogg as a major British filmmaking talent' and this is suggesting that the film may be possibly aimed for film fanatics that are interested in Joanna Hogg and her film work. 
• With the use of using older actors/actresses this could possibly suggest that the film is aimed at an older audience, as they would be able to relate in the situation. 

Layout/Design