Film Studies

To understand whether or not Winters Bone relies on predetermined understanding of its social context it must first be understood what this context is. In the clip where Ree goes to confront the social context is demonstrated quite well. Here the social context context would be understood as the very niche mirco society of the impoverished American south. A rural and primitive community. This is supported within the clip by mise-en-scene clearly as all the clothes are of the earthly tones and no one wears makeup or jewellery. Tied together with very few shots but repeated as seen with the mid-shot from in front and behind Merab throws her drink at Ree the women drag her into the garage gives the impression of people living to survive. There are no luxuries for the people in the scene so no fanciful or artistic camerawork is used However, in order to pick up on such subtleties the film does rely on an active viewer. This meaning that they engage with the subtext of the film which hi

Synopsis ·          Bates is shown murdering the kid. His motive is unclear but supposedly he is insane and looses his temper. There is a scene of gratuitous torture and violence. ·          Doyle gets called regarding the "suicide" and from Bates’ perspective he sees his chance to cover it up by requesting to assist Doyle. He leads him to an undisclosed location and we see him attack Doyle in the train station lift and drag the body away. ·          Bates finally gets to torture Doyle, he gags him, beats him and eventually murders him. ·        Finishes with a similar scene to the beginning and therefore has an almost circular narrative. ·        Film ends with a blackout after looking at Doyle's dead body on the floor of the art studio Bates used to frame his masterpiece artwork in, the murders. As he is not captured the ending is ambiguous on whether he will continue on this path or he has finished with his murderous ways.