Inspire analysis- Representation

In the short film 'Inspire' through the use of the four micro elements as well as the macro elements Gramsci's Hegemony which states that representation is unequal and thus dominant ideology is represented and therefore this is what most of the viewers believe. This can be seen through the narrative structure of the text as typical stereotypes of the different ethnicities are shown and you would not notice that they go against the typical dominant theory until you listen to the voiceover which is a direct address to the audience which states what is wrong with the representations. The voiceover is trying to portray to the audience that the typical stereotypes shown need to be disregarded by the society and therefore is going against Gramsci's theory as it asking the audience questions about the dominant theory.

Tessa Perkin's theory can be seen through the mise en scene in 'Inspire' as stereotypes are not always false and they are not always negative. This can be identified through the use of clothing as the clothing is all very stereotypical to the typical representations seen within the media. The Sikh family who are wearing turbans is a stereotype of this specific group, however does not actually create a negative or false representation. Furthermore Richard Dyers stereotypes theory that "stereotypes are always about power; those with power stereotype those without power" is depicted in the mise en scene due to the use of the Daily Mail website in order to highlight to the audience that national newspapers create stereotypes about people which are fed to the public as they have the power in order to do so. Without the public attention of these stereotypes created by newspapers it could be argued that it is not a true sterotype just a common one, shown through the man stereotyped as a 'terrorist' actually being a genuinely helpful man. This therefore links to Stan Cohens theory of moral panic as society is frightened due to a group being stereotyped to be causing a threat to societal values or interests.

Additionally, Bergers theory that wherever men look, women appear- thus meaning women are solely used for the objectification of men (very much similar to Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory) is represented through the camera angles and movement in the short film. Through the use of a close up shot of the homeless woman in which a male is placed behind her in the frame looking at her in an objectifying manor, this theory creates the representation that women are solely used in order to be an object for the males.

bella hooks theory of skin colour being a code is also depicted through the use of editing in the short film as the whole narrative is based around one specific woman of Indian face and therefore shows her struggle. It also focuses on many other minority groups through the continuity editing between characters and portrays their stories to be very similar to the Indian woman as they are all shown to have some sort of struggle in their life that they are stereotyped to as their skin colour is a code for this specific stereotype.

In conclusion, Gidden and Gauntlets theory that experiences make us reflect on our self-narrative in relations to others and are used as a mode of expression can be seen through all of the micro elements, as well as the narrative structure as the whole purpose of the short film was to make the audience reflect on all of the questions asked throughout the text and is therefore changing the audiences perspective of the world around them.