Explain How One or More of the Following Techniques Added or Detracted from Your Understanding of the Text:

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2012 ENGLISH STUDIES: STAGE 2 Assessment Task 1: Shared Studies (Single Text) CABARET Explain how one or more of the following techniques added or detracted from your understanding of the text: There are a number of techniques throughout the film Cabaret used by director Bob Fosse to add to the viewer’s understanding of the film. The two techniques that are most evident in helping the viewer understand the film are music and setting. Music plays a pivotal role in Cabaret as it is often used to foreshadow what is going on in the main storyline. This is crucial because it clearly shows the viewer what is happening and therefore adds to the viewer’s understanding of the film. A good example of this is when the Emcee and two women sing ‘Two Ladies’. This foreshadows what is going to happen between Sally Bowles, Brian Roberts and Maximillian von Hue when they travel to Maximillian’s parent’s house in the country. This song almost confuses the viewer until it is explained that Sally, Brian and Maximillian had sexual relations with each other over the course of the weekend. This is a good example of how Fosse uses the music in the film to foreshadow Another good example of music adding to the viewer’s understanding of the text is when Sally Bowles sings her first song ‘A Fine Affair’. This song indirectly explains Sally’s personality and shortly after it is sung the viewers realise this. This maximises the viewer’s understanding of the film as it helps the viewer connect with the film. It also makes the film interesting and fun to watch and follow. This is important because the viewer won’t continue to watch a film if it is to boring. Secondly, the setting of the film also adds to the viewer’s understanding of the film. Fosse specifically chose 1931 Berlin as the setting for Cabaret because it was a time when Nazism and homosexuality was rife. This is the

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