Fishtank scene analysis (Mia and Connor sex scene analysis)

Scene
Micro features
Narrative features and ideological analysis
1:09:00 - 1:11:00 - 1:17:15 (Mia has sex w/ Connor) 1:14:20 (binary oppositions still)




























  - Mia in the door way and Connor slumped on the couch with bottle of drink
- Tracking shot follows Mia across the room
_____________
Mis en scene

. Palm tree backdrop (wallpaper) and street light shining in as a sunset = mias desire to escape; light source also a spotlight/ stage light

. Vodka bottle between Connors legs as phallic object

. 1:14:20 - binary opposition - Mia in light, Connor in darkness

. Costuming - Mia in pyjamas - vulnerable - Connor taking advantage

. Framing use of over the shoulder shots, But only from Mias perspective (OTS to Conor) - Mia herself isolated in the frame (no Conor) - the camera never leaves Mia - therefore the spectator aligns with her - Mia often at three quartet angle or in profile (side view)

. shots from Mias waistline towards Connor - shows his gaze upon her body

Cinematography

. The camera never leaves Mia, Arnold doesn't want us to empathise with Connor, only to empathise with Mia who rarely leaves the frame

. Multiple close ups of Mia's body when she dances

. Camera is angled down to Connor as he sprawls on the settee








Binary opposities 

. Action vs inaction

. Mia's child vs adult (teenage)

. Moral vs immoral (illegal vs legal)

. Paternal vs sexual (farther vs lover)

. Man vs Nature (moral vs instinct)
Feminism - Connor in control of scene, showing male dominance over the female Mia - lack of equality

 Connor is extremely manipulative in the scene with Mia being very subservient - conforms to societal norms of patriarchal dominance - she is the passive site for male objectification
































However, what she is doing is taboo - subverts the notion that they are conforming to societal norms - is it therefore a critique of social norms? this links back to Connor's manipulation and domination, which is societal normal from a feminist perspective. In terms of body language Connor sprawled across the settee, domination over space he inhabits. Shots on Mia are tighter, suggesting she is more confined. In freudian terms, the fact that Mia has 'unlawful' access to the 'farther' will result in social punishment unless she finally conforms - later, Connor strikes Mia (punishing her physically) - she then 'comes to her senses' and goes off with Billy, therefore conforming to male dominance.


Connor represents the male gaze (diegetic) - the identification with the male character she is provoking him - who is provoking who? he requests that she dance; she acquiesces. Legally he is entirely responsible




In Freudian terms, this fetishises the female body, breaking it dow and commodifying it so that the threat of the female is diminished.


During the sex scene Connor gives in to his atavistic urges (his id), ignoring the superego. 


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