Imperial dreams
Lower class is represented as you can see from the area that
the main character is living in as the mise-en-scene represents that as the
area is run down. Poverty is another representation because the main character
talks to a homeless person who pushes a bike around with all of his belongings
who lives on the street.
We soon find out why the main character was in prison and
that is because he assaulted someone with a deadly weapon which made him miss
out on some of his child’s life. But as the story progresses he is trying to
gain back that time he missed away from his son and it is showing the real
struggle of a young man trying to get a job and to try and find a home for him
and his son. This is a very important theme because it happens quite often with
people who come out of prison.
We also find out that his mother is in prison too. This is a
very touching story as it shows the child hasn’t had his parents around for a
while and it is a very important representation within the film itself.
His uncle wanted the main character to do gang related jobs
for him but he refuses and kicks him out onto the street with his son. They get
his car and park it up somewhere and use that to sleep in. This shows the
homelessness and the poverty the main character is experiencing.
The character notices a high end vehicle has noticed them
and the main characters’ friend and it isn’t good. The friend and the main
character runs away to get out of these peoples’ sight, but it doesn’t happen
for very long as the get flanked and the main characters’ friend gets shot to
death. The theme really shines in this part because to the main character his
son is everything he has and he doesn’t want him seeing nor hearing what is
going on so he covers his eyes and ears. Also in that scene there was a range
of handheld camera movement, and it represents how the tension has come high
for the
characters in the scene and shows that he is frightened for his sons’
life.
Family plays a big role in this film as the main character
just wants to get a home where he and his son can live but encounters so many
problems on the way. To get a job the main character needs his drivers license
but cannot because his ex-girlfriend has passed paying the child support, which
adds up to $15,000 of debt for the character which he cannot pay off.
As the narrative drives forward more problems occur such as,
not having anywhere to stay, gang violence or gang related issues happening to
the character and social services. These all create huge problems and are very
important parts of the linear storyline. The issues become more intense and
more emotional towards the end as the main character is heartbroken that his
son is being taken away by social services and is prepared to do anything to
make sure he gets his son back.
The message and values of this film are very straight
forward and that is family is everything. This is an important message to the
audience because this is what happens in real life and the verisimilitude is
really close to reality.
