Shawshank Redemption
The is a feature film concerned with the repression of individuals within an institution- a prison in this case. It is concerned with routine, forced conformity, power abuse and the struggle of hope to exist in such a lifeless world.Characteristic of this "feel good" genre film, the "good guys", Andy Dufrense, and the "bad guys", the warden and his guards are also constructed.
The viewers response to the above elements are shaped by the use of film language (lighting, camera angles, selection of shots, music, etc), but also by character conflict. Shawshank prison is presented to the viewer in a way such that we are positioned to regard it as oppressive, enforcing conformity and ...
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idea that Shawshank exists to contain individuals from the outside world, to torment them with the beauty of nature, yet, force them to exist in a world of ugliness and hatred. Every scene within the prison is framed by bars and dark sombre grays or blues as backdrop, the effect of which is to indicate the oppressive nature of life in "inside" and the dominance of the prison in the lives of every individual.
The repression of Shawshank, as well as the enforced routine, is depicted by the film makers through lighting, camera angles and music. The majority of scenes have no background music; the impact of silence achieving the purpose of indicating the lack of life within and refusal to allow any expression, very effectively. The only music that actually dominates a scene is where Andy lock himself in the wardens office and plays Italian opera over the tannoy system. The impact this has on the other prisoners, transfixing them, shows how Andy is different; not one of "them". How ...
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Shawshank Redemption. (2004, August 11). Retrieved March 27, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shawshank-Redemption/12507
"Shawshank Redemption." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 11 Aug. 2004. Web. 27 Mar. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shawshank-Redemption/12507>
"Shawshank Redemption." Essayworld.com. August 11, 2004. Accessed March 27, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shawshank-Redemption/12507.
"Shawshank Redemption." Essayworld.com. August 11, 2004. Accessed March 27, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shawshank-Redemption/12507.
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