Made in Dagenham poster inside the Nickelodeon Theatre.
The establishing shot of Made in Dagenham opened the movie with women riding bicycles at the camera. The camera was focused from out in the distance so when the bicycle riders got close to the camera it was like you were standing in the middle of the riders. Then a voiceover started speaking about the Ford Motor Company in the late 1960 in the England. There were stills of the London Bridge, Big Ben, and other prominent buildings in London, England. I believe the director wanted bicycle riders to ride into the camera to the viewers know the film was predominately about women of the late 1960s working for Ford Motor Company in England.
The establishing shot clearly let the viewers know where the movie was taking place and let them know that the movie was going to focus on women by letting them be the only bicycle-riders you saw. When the riders stop they went into a factory, letting the viewer know part of the movie was going to take place in a factory. I believe it clearly set the stage for the events that transpired during the movie. After the voiceover started talking about the Ford Motor Company in England, as the viewer, we knew where the film was taking place and what the storyline was going to be about.
Describe any interesting camera angles that were seen in the film.
The establishing shot was a type of low-angle shot because as the bicycle riders got closer and closer to the camera it was as if the viewer was in the middle of the riders. You could see their skirts and dresses whipping in the wind.
However, when Albert was addressing the women in the factory about Ford's decision not to accept the women's request for more pay, there was a combination of a high-angle shot and an eye-level shot. The high-level shot looked down on the women as Albert addressed them and let the viewer see the reactions on their faces. The other shot in these scenes was an eye-level shot because here it was like the camera was among the women being addressed because you saw the back of other heads. However, the eye-level shot was not a point-of-view shot. It kept the focus on Albert as he addressed the women.
Describe and interpret the story line of the film. What scenes moved you, drew you in, made you feel uncomfortable, etc? Did you view anyMise-en-Scene or staging in the film?
The story line of Made in Dagenham was about the women who worked in the Ford Motor Company's Dagenham factory in England, who wanted their wages to equal those of the men. The movie particularly follows Rita O'Grady, who is voted to represent the women of the factory. Throughout the film, the viewers get to see the downside of Rita's journey as well as the joys, like her finding her voice. We also see just how much of a difference the status between men and women was.
There was scene when Rita goes to her son's school to confront his teacher, Mr. Clarke, for hitting her son. She goes into the classroom prepared to tell Mr. Clarke all these things, but does not get a chance to because Mr. Clarke belittles her. He completely undermines her chance to stand up for her son because she is a woman. I thought Mr. Clarke was a jerk for one hitting children and secondly because he thought it was his place to not take Rita seriously because she was a woman.
There was another scene when Lisa Hopkins, wife of a Ford Company manager, comes to visit Rita. Lisa tells Rita not to give up because she (Lisa) has a degree from one of the finest Universities in England and her husband thinks all she can do is cook, clean, and take care of children. The look on her face and the emotion in her voice was so real, it was like she really was fighting for equal pay and status for women.
One scene that I believe was Mise-en-Scene was when the women from the Dagenham factory go to the meeting of the Unions and factory managers. This scene had chairs and actors set for the scene. Any of the scene featuring the inside of the factory was Mise-en-Scene because all of the sewing machines had to be set before the actors came into the room.
Analyze the roles of the actors. Were they convincing in their depiction of the character they played? Why or why not?
Rita O'Grady- was the main character of the film and was portrayed by Sally Hawkins. Rita was chosen by her fellow workers to represent them in a meeting about receiving equal wages as the men. She becomes the spearhead for the strike of women to get equal pay. Sally Hawkins interpretation of Rita was excellent. She was very convincing as the character. She brought the emotion that was needed for the character. Hawkins made the character of Rita real and made her relatable to other people.
Albert Passingham- was one of the male factory workers, who oversaw the women and was portrayed by Bob Hoskins. In the movie, Albert seemed to really the women going on strike. Later in the film it was revealed that Albert had a single-mother who raised him and his brother. His mother barely made enough to get by so she had to get a second job; she also had to pay a family member to keep her children during the day. Bob Hoskins performance during this scene was so heartbreaking because the emotion just came so freely from him. Every victory the women received it was like he was proud father!
Monty Taylor- was one of the Union owners who seemed to be on the women's side, but when he was only with the other Union owners or factory owners he would be on their side. Monty Taylor was portrayed by Kenneth Cranham. Kenneth Cranham was very convincing as Monty Taylor because his character was very shady. HIs character reminded me of the character Prince John from Robin Hood.
Barbara Castle- was a women in a high position in a man's world and was portrayed by Miranda Richardson. The character of Barbara Castle was fighting everyday in her own job for respect for women. Her assistances treated her like she was inferior to them when in reality they were inferior to her. Even though her character could not give the women of the Dagenham factory everything they wanted, she respected and applauded them for their efforts in Women's Rights. Miranda Richardson gives a wonderful and convincing performance as Barbara Castle.
How did the music orsoundtrack of the film influence your interpretation and experience of the film?
The music/soundtrack from the film helped date the movies to the late 1960s and added to the theme of inequality between men and women. One song by James Brown "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World," reinforces the idea that women are inferior to men. Some of the songs were happy, however, there were other songs that added to the sadness of a scene. Overall, the music of the film added to the experience of film and made it more enjoyable.
Describe the genre of the film. (Refer to Chapter 10.)
I believe Made in Dagenham is a bit of a Historical Drama and a Comedy. The reason I think it is a historical drama is because because the costumes and hairstyles were obviously from the 1960s. However, because this was an independent film there was not a large budget, the sets were not very elaborate. I think it is a comedy because parts of the film and many of the lines were extremely funny.
Describe, analyze and interpret the context of the film. What message or meaning did you derive from the film?
Describe- Producer: Tim Haslam
Director: Nigel Cole
Screenplay: William Ivory
Cinematography: John de Borman
Editing: Michael Parker
Actors: Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Kenneth Cranham, and Miranda Richardson
Analyze- The movie was created with different angles and through a wonderful script. The music made the film more enjoyable because it replicated the feelings the actors were portraying. The script was written beautifully and the actors were able to take the words and created wonderful performances.
Interpret- Made in Dagenham is about the female workers of the Ford Motor Company in Dagenham, England who wanted and deserved equal pay. The film chronicles the journey of Rita O'Grady and the rest of the women workers as they fight for their right to equal wages. It shows the hardships and the victories the women of the Dagenham factory. The film also showed how Rita and the other women were trailblazers for Women's Rights.
Message or Meaning- I believe the message of Made in Dagenham is do not be afraid of fighting for what you believe in no matter how unrealistic it may be. I also believe the message of the film is that every person has a voice waiting to be heard. My favorite part of the movie is when Rita is in a meeting with Mrs. Barbara Castle, a woman who has reached an incredibly high position in a man's world, still refuses to take anything less than equal pay to the male workers. It made realize to fight for what I hold true and do not give up no matter what anyone tells me.
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