The Class

With reference to one or two elements of film language show how the director conveys power and conflict in 'The Class'.

In the film "The Class" different techniques are used in order to convey the subjects power and conflict. For example a way in which both power and conflict are shown (but mainly conflict) is by using cinematography and in particular camera shots and angles. When there is an argument in the class a shot reverse shot is often used, this is a good way to show the conflict as the shot alternates between characters allowing the viewer to see both of their reactions and facial expressions- which is always a powerful way to show the characters and emotions not through spoken words.

Another camera shot that also produces the same effect is the fact that a lot of the shots appear to be from the teacher perspective and the shots are slightly angled down when facing the students and vise versa for student toward teacher displaying the fact that the teacher is more dominant and powerful- if this wasn't the case the viewer may see the two are at the same level of power.

Another way that the director uses power and conflict is the fact that the whole is filmed in a documentary style and draws your attention to every word in which the characters are saying- although there is background noise such as other students and other classroom noises, which adds to this in fact adds to this effect. This also makes it seem as if you are viewing the teachers situation in the classroom and as if he is competing with the class to gain power/