Luther - Textual Analysis Task

Camera Work:

During this clip, there are many similar shots that are used, like several shots where both characters are in frame. These types of shots show the connection between the two, as they fight for the power in this situation, making the character of Alice rival Luther's power, breaking the female stereotype. There are also many close-up shots of Alice's face and lips, showing her attempt to flirt with Luther. Although this can be seen as conforming to the stereotyped representation of women, she does it in order to gain power, breaking it.
There are also two shots used back to back, with the first being a low shot of Luther looking down on Alice, showing his self-perceived power from his male stereotype, with the following shot being a low shot of Alice looking up, showing her challenging his power and lusting for more of it, breaking her typical 'weak woman' stereotype.


Sound:


The sound during this clip is used to show the tension between the two characters, which can be seen as sexual or as a gender power struggle. To begin with, the clip has no background sound, diegetic or non-diegetic, with the only sound being their dialogue. This is used to show an tense undertone of the scene. As they begin to start discussing the matter at hand, tense non-diegetic music begins to play, showing the tension becoming stronger between the two characters.


Editing:


The editing during this scene is very soft, with no hard jump cuts, showing the delicacy of the situation, which has become a tense power battle. Nearer to the end of the clip, the editing begins to quickly flip between shots of the two characters to show a power struggle between the two, showing Alice to be further challenging her stereotype by having more power.


Mise-en-Scene:

Alice's apartment in the background of this clip shows a lot about the representation of Alice's gender. The apartment is clean and tidy, perhaps suggesting towards the stereotyped women's role as the cleaner. The room also contains lots of books, art and a telescope, which shows her to be of a high class and highly educated, breaking the older stereotype of women.