The Selfish Giant Analysis

“The Selfish Giant”, a film directed by Clio Barnard in 2013 is about two young white, working class boys who risk their lives to create scrap metal to make money so that their parents can pay for rent or furniture. The film shows the hardships families go through in order to survive, which makes the genre of the film ‘social realism/drama’ as the director takes the audience to a place they would not, or would be too scared to go to, which in “The Selfish Giant” is a council estate in Bradford, Northern England. The film is also a drama, as relies mainly on realistic character development. “The Selfish Giant” explores themes of poverty, violence, trust, friendship and trauma.

Mise-en-scene in a film is very important as it shows everything in the frame and creates meaning within it.

In “The Selfish Giant” mise-en-scene is an important role as ‘weather’ is a part of this, which conveys much about the 91 minute film. Throughout majority of the film the weather was dark and gloomy, showing rarely any sun, this represented how the two protagonists in the film, ‘Arbor’ and ‘Swifty’, do not lead a life full of happiness and peace but the complete opposite as they are surrounded with negativity constantly.

When ‘Swifty’ passed away it appears that the weather got worse, Arbor is shown sitting outside of ‘Swifty’s’ house in pouring rain which may have many interpretations, such as; ‘Arbor’ never being able to have a bright or happy day again now that ‘Switfy’ has disappeared from his life which the rain symbolises Arbor’s immense sadness, reflecting on what has happened.

Another interpretation may be that as Arbor is constantly outside of Swifty’s house he is feeling guilt and blame for his death, which are two themes also explored within the film.

Another micro-feature that is important in film is cinematography, this is important as the different use of shots, all reveal different meanings and have the power to make the film more realistic.

Throughout “The Selfish Giant” it is noticed that there were many long-lasting establishing shots of the countryside’s showing sheep’s and horses. This showed a different image of safety and peace which the protagonists of this film would escape to in order to be away from the loud, urban environment they are forced to survive in. The establishing shots which would suddenly cut to shots showing the dangerous, noisy machines was a drastic contrast which re-enforced the genre of social realism, taking the audience to get an understanding or a view that what these children go through to support their families in financial deprivation was indeed very dangerous and a contrast in itself as a child whom pure and innocent being thrown into illegal work force to make money for their family definitely shows another life to what the viewer may know.

Clio Barnard makes it clear that the protagonists do not lead that of an ‘ordinary’ life, which is expected of them so keeps the narrative real throughout the film to reveal to the audience there are no ‘happy endings’ in such a danger-driven full of poverty world.

Cinematography within the film “The Selfish Giant” revealed foreshadowing by the ending with the use of the shots showing the electric wires, this may have been to inform the audience that a key event was going to happen.

Overall, I enjoyed “The Selfish Giant” as it was realistic and gripped the whole way through. The narrative was believable and strong, reaching the unexpected and dramatic climax at the end. I believe the micro-features helped create the meaningful piece of work.