T1-35 answers

Discuss these questions in groups, refer to your notes from last lesson and respond in a new post, as a group. Don't forget to label your blog with the names of the people in your discussion group.

1. What kind of Britain is represented? How does it compare to the Britain represented in Passport to Pimlico? 

Depiction of Britain in the 60's, Jenny's family are quite middle class and hold strong traditional values. They want their daughter to be well educated and have clearly invested alot of money their only child's future.  I didn't see Passport to Pimlico so i cant compare the two.

2. Describe the character of Jenny? How far do you think she is a typical British teenager? What might be different about her, if anything?

Jenny is a hard working 16 year old school girl, she seems to be successful in all her classes and only behind in Latin. She has a hard working school ethic and this is the only thing that would make her noticeably different from what is seen as the typical British school girl/boy. These days it is perceived kids will do anything to avoid school work. She seems more mature than her friends and has a need to expand her experiences and life while others seem to be sticking to the day to day.

3. What impression does the film give of Britain if you are a woman? Describe Helen, Jenny's Mother, Jenny's teacher and Jenny in terms of representations of women.

Women in the British 1960's were still fighting for equal opportunity. Jenny's mum appears to have the stereotypical role of a mother and house wife while the man of the house works. It is mentioned in the film that women with a degree go on to be teachers or work for a civil service and have little other option, and clearly Jenny opposes this outlook making her a bit of a feminist. Britain if you are a woman seems limiting and oppressing.
The scene at 1:10 shows Jenny confronting her head mistress about the fact that her degree will only lead her to being a "boring...dead..teacher"
4. What representation of British women do they give and can you think of any contemporary examples of similar women in film?

5. Conduct some research into the film, who made it, how was it funded, who directed it?

Directed by - Lone Scherfig
Written by - Lynn Barber (memoir), Nick Hornby (screenplay)
The film is based on Lynn Barber's real life events,

"Observer writer and interviewer Lynn Barber was an innocent 16-year-old schoolgirl when she met an older man and began a relationship that lasted two years. By day she was a diligent student; by night 'Simon' charmed her with dazzling stories, expensive restaurants and foreign films. And then came a rude awakening. In this exclusive extract from her memoir - now made into a film starring Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike - she describes her introduction to an adult world of sexuality and betrayal and how she was damaged by her suitor's lessons in life."