How far does the impact of the films you have studied for this topic depend on distinctive uses of film techniques?

The Spanish film 'Princesses' uses specific camera techniques in order to reinforce the racial divide between the prostitutes, yet also- discretely, their similarities. A handheld camera shows the immigrants socialising and mingling, as well as parading around in order to sell themselves. The variety of races and ethnicities shows the diversity that the Spanish culture attracts, consequently offering contrast from the generic Spanish girls they are juxtaposed with. The inconsistant zooming in and out on the girls creates a sense of verisimilitude- as it is obviously filmed from far away, as if in a documentary. A girl in Gloria's salon observes that it's 'like a jungle out there', reinforcing this, while also supporting the cultural opinion on prostitutes: that they are not much better than animals. The mise-en-scene of the fountain also creates the environment of a jungle, as it's as if they are all gathered around the watering hole, as would happen out in the wild. However their similarities are illustrated by their shared entrapment -demonstrated by the blinds on the windows of the salon, as if they are cared in. Consequently, a point of view shot from the Spanish prostitutes means we are looking 'through bars' at the immigrants, but this also means that the immigrant prostitutes are viewed through the same 'bars'- demonstrating that they are both confined by similar issues. 

How far does the impact of the films you have studied for this topic depend on distinctive uses of film techniques?

The impact of Chungking Express relies heavily on the effectiveness of film techniques communicating the anticipation of the imminent social change to reflect what the residents of Hong Kong would soon be facing. This is evident in the scene where we see Faye cleaning 663's apartment, consequently instigating the needed change in his life, while simultaneously easing him into it. The mise-en-scene shows her pouring new fish into a previously dirty fish tank. This could be seen as her breathing new life into his world, after he's been living in an empty void since the last big change in his life- being left by his girlfriend. This can be viewed as a social comment; showing that although the people of Hong Kong may feel abandoned and wary after being deserted by Britain and handed back to China, all is not lost, as it could be a fresh start, with new hope and life. This is reinforced by the use of colour in the scene- as they are bright and vibrant which is a big contrast to the dull, low key lit apartment we saw 663 living in originally. The framing of the scene also implies that this new female in his life will soon become pivotal and vital, as a close up tracks backwards to reveal Faye in the centre of the camera, suggesting she is central to 663's new story. The use of a montage reinforces the importance of time and space; it's manipulation of time along with the fact that it confines the viewer to just one place forms the argument that change is inevitable, and that even if you try to keep everything the same, you can't escape the fact that adaptation is healthy and needed in order to keep up with a and live in the modern world.