Key Themes Terrorism – Parallels with real life (Charles de Menezes)? Jihad, extremism Islam – is it presented positively? Overly reliant on religious text to intellectualise, patriarchal Anti western world – quote Omar’s rants Police state – authority figures are questioned, irony of Omar working for government surveillance Family – importance of to Omar

Narrative Main Characters: – Omar - Leader – Barry – Paradox? – Waj (Rabbit) – Fessal (Sheep) – Hassan – White “authority” characters Todorov: Equilibrium >Disequilibrium >Resolution Setting:

Narrative Main Characters: – Omar – Barry – Waj – Fessal – Hassan – White “authority” characters Todorov: Equilibrium >Disequilibrium >Resolution – is there a resolution? Setting:

Comedy Satire – who is it being critical of? What real life event does it echo? Farce? Inept/clownish main characters – film doesn’t discriminate between them Deadpan? Any tension with other genres? Do you ever feel uncomfortable laughing? Melodrama (think about the end especially)?

“How effective is genre in presenting ideas about society in the films you have studied?” “What are some of the narrative features that are distinctive in the comedy films you have studied?” OR

Humour used Genre Representation of Britain Characters Themes/messages

Four Lions Four Weddings Hot Fuzz Satire Postmodern? Macabre/black humour Hybrid genres but defined by humour The “clown” character(s) Deadpan humour Farcical humour Heritage UK – set in South Financially successful films Political satire (questions western establishment?) “Mockumentary”? Parallels to reality Niche film Mostly set in North Majority ethnic characters Parody of action, gothic, surreal, murder mystery Genres Heavily inter-textual Melodrama – tension between genres? Romance “Happy” ending (Todorov) Dual target audience – UK and US? Upper-middle class Characters Idealised narrative?

Despite being fundamentally different in many ways – particularly in their portrayal of Britain and crossing over into contrasting genres – all three films are ultimately defined by their characteristically British sense of humour: they are farcical, use deadpan delivery and are held together by the endearing clumsiness of their stock- type clown characters.