How is regional identity represented in Our Friends Up North. Mise en scene, cinematography (camera angles/movements), editing, sound and lighting.

Throughout the extract the use of mid-wide-shots creates and element of division between the two couples, this could be a metaphor for the regional divide of the couple from Newcastle who seem to be content with their unexciting jobs and the couple striving for new challenges in the evolving world they live in. The insinuation that the couples contrast each other is influenced by the use of match on action, which divulges into shot reverse shot, this displays a confrontation and disjointed feeling towards the couples therefore displaying the contrast in views. The table is significant in the scene as it is the only object creating a barrier from either groups, it is almost set up in the form of The House of Commons (one political group on one side opposing the counter political group on the other) There is an obvious division as Mary simply identifies to the viewers that Helen is not from Newcastle stating “How do you like Newcastle Helen?” It is apparent that the couple from Newcastle doesn’t know how to make conversation with new faces as they treat Helen like a child. The use of costumes here displays Mary and Toscar believed they would be having dinner with an upper class woman as they are well dressed but almost seem overdressed. It could be the case that Toscar and Mary have never been invited out for dinners before and therefore don’t know what to wear. It isn’t unusual for friends to mingle at dinners however it occurs more often down south as there are a greater number of restaurants. This divide is highlighted by the fact that Helen is cultured and well mannered displayed by her diegetic when making her way through the menu (perfect pronunciation)  “gamberoni” we see a large juxtaposition between the cultured Helen and the juvenile jesting stereotype of a ‘Geordie’ in Toscar. The non-diegetic sound in the background creates a calm and unhostile feeling to the evening; this is enhanced by the use of continuity editing as the whole scene takes place in the interior of a restaurant however this non diegetic sound is exchanged with diegetic sounds of classic restraint noises, this is a climatic tactic used by the director, this could highlight that the principal part of the scene is soon to take place.

   The use of low-key lighting and a lack of backlighting exaggerates an almost hazed mood where everybody seems on edge and eager to keep the conversation flowing; the use of a candle creates a natural light but it acts as a metaphor as it only highlights the persons face and not there true feelings. The small “chit chat” becomes disconnected from the conversation as the first close up enters the scene, this displays how the conversation is beginning to become more serious. Helen opens the seriousness with a question “Am I what you expected?” this is opens the debate for regional identity as Helen is displaying how she believes that she is different and of higher humanity than Toscar and Mary. We see representations of gender here as Mary is very frail and afraid to speak for herself as she seems off guard when she is spoken too, this implies that Toscar is a very dominant member of the relationship, Mary doesn’t want to offend and carefully replies saying I thought you would be a “cliché” moreover through the use of a midshot we can see that Helen is a respectable stern woman as she quickly defends Mary as she is interrupted.

   The fact that Helens side of the table is only shown through a close up of herself displays how she can fend for herself and also that she has that stereotypical boisterous manner of a person from south England therefore Niki still seems powerless in comparison to her despite his views being of the same herself but more so that Niki still lacks the confidence that comes with the new role he is playing in life. We see a change in attitude from Helen as she also smirks and boasts her “six grand a year” to the other two. This displays her class, she isn’t working class but middle class as she can afford to throw her money about and still have some left. The midshot of Toscar’s and Mary’s faces display how overwhelmed they are by this substantial amount of money,  however Toscar tries to hide his astonishment in diegetic saying “ its not bad” he seems almost embarrassed that a woman is gaining more money than he is a year. Helens classiness is obvious however under close examination from Toscar he finds a fault in her personal life: the constant match on action and shot reverse shot from and over the shoulder view displays an almost interrogation situation the shots are taken from over the shoulder giving a distant feel to the characters it is obvious that they are conflicting however by using the over the shoulder shot I think it makes Toscar seem protruding and intrusive. 

  Toscar’s constant interrogation forces Helen through the use of diegetic and a mid-close up to reveal a personal detail about herself, she tells him how her ex- husband “couldn’t cope with me having lovers,” this is a large juxtaposition in the regional and hierarchical identity. Helen has obviously been brought up well in the comfort of a wealthy family, but quite surprisingly she has picked up some rebellious behavior, this may be due to mixing with the wrong people. We can see Toscars astonishment on his face with the help of a close up, his eyes roll towards Niki almost asking a question telepathically, what have you brought with you? More over the division enlarges this time through the occupation of Helen compared with Toscar’s; the audacity of Helen is stressed through a close up of her face when speaking of her job as an analyst for a merchant bank, this is juxtaposed with Toscars embarrassment at his job: a box stacker.

    It is visible to the viewer’s his lack of culture as he is unaware of any black oppression in Rhodesia where the company he works for is intruding. This is obvious as the constant shot reverse shot between Toscar and Helen gives a teacher and child image where Helen is telling Toscar what’s right and wrong.

    It is significant that Toscars social and regional divide is most obvious at the point where he asks diegetically “How much” in the relation to pudding, this displays that he is not hard working which is uncharacteristic of a northern man who is involved in manual labor. It also relates to his lack of restaurant etiquette as it is very unusual to go to a restaurant unsure of weather you can afford the food. Moreover the mid-shot of the waiters smirk and Mary’s embarrassment displays how unsuited the Geordie couple are to restaurant and social life. The continuity editing depicts how the journey of the night entails and more to the point the conversation. Toscar remarks his lack of interest in politics: this juxtaposes with Helen as she lives in one of the most political cities in the world.


Sorry about the essay :)