Shawshank Redemption Essay

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The Shawshank Redemption….Belonging All films convey some message about life. In Frank Darabont’s 1994 film 'The Shawshank Redemption' there are very strong ideas about alienation and belonging which are linked to definite views about injustice, loyalty and never giving up hope. In this film these distinctive ideas are developed throughout the narrative of the film. Darabont uses characters and a variety of film techniques including, camera angles, mise- en- scene and lighting to emphasize these key ideas. As a result, the audience is able to engage with the deeper currents of thought in this film. One of the main themes in this film concerns the alienation that arises from justice and the unfairness of the legal system and its treatment of prisoners. The main character Andy is unjustly convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover. Andy is given a particularly harsh sentence by the judge because the judge regards his quite reserved manner as a sign of his lack of remorse. This is conveyed through the use of dialogue. " You strike me as a particularly icy and remorseless man. It chills my blood just to look at you." For this he is given two life sentences. Other examples of injustice that give rise to feelings of despair and alienation include Red's futile attempts to be given parole. The general atmosphere of corruption and violence is expressed in numerous examples of brutality by the guards and theft on a large scale by the Warden. At the start of the film we see a newly arrived prisoner bashed into unconsciousness by the guards. This moment is shot in a half -light which adds to the sinister atmosphere of this scene. As well, the mise-en-scene of the prison walls and the cells looms above the heads of the guards and their victim giving the impression that he is totally trapped and without any hope of help. Scenes such as this in the early stages

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