Wasp- Short Film Analysis

Wasp- Short Film analysis

Wasp is a short film made in 2003 by British, female director Andrea Arnold. It follows the story of a low class, struggling mother of four (Natalie Press) and her life in poverty. Many have said that the film has such an emotional impact due to having a female director, proving that only a woman can document the struggles on a woman.

The film feels very real to the audience. This is an effect of using a lot of hand held camera work throughout the production as it puts you in the scene. As well as this many point of view shots are used putting the viewer in the place of the children. Giving the audience the perspective of the children really highlights the dangers they go through in day to day life making you feel sympathy for them and putting the mother in a bad light. During a class discussion about Wasp we found we had many different opinions and views on the mother’s actions and the way she takes care of her children.

I believe that Zoe really does want to take care of her children and sees everything she does as a way of protecting them. When the film opens we see Zoe carrying her children through the streets wearing a nightie and no shoes. This is the first impression we get of her is not a good one. She comes across as angry as she is shouting and swearing around her children but until later we do not understand why. We learn that Zoe is going to confront another mother about the way her children have been treated. Although she does not go about this in a good way by fighting, she does it for the sake and the safety of her children. This may have happened because she has not been taught how to conduct herself in the adult world and sees violence as the only way to solve the issue. Taking her children with her was also a controversial talking point between out group. I think that she took her children with her as there was nobody else to look after them at home, this would be the sensible decision as although they would witness the violence they would not be subject to the dangers of being left alone at home. Others thought that taking them to this scene would be showing them it is an acceptable way to behave as it is obviously not. “All drama is conflict” is a famous quote by Syd Field highlighting that with without a disagreeing issue within a film or story there is no storyline for an audience to be involved in.

Representations of danger are clear throughout Wasp stressing the threats of the outside world and living conditions of the four vulnerable children. Obvious dangers such as the unhygienic housing and conditions of the housing are prominent and obvious throughout the short film. Elements of mise-en-scene such as the dirt in the house and the clothing of the children are there to further suggest this to the audience. As well as this, the issue of the financial struggle of the family and the lack of food (children eating from the floor) show the danger of our failing society representing the UK as derelict. Other dangers are shown more subtly through the background of shots and are not always as easily picked up. An example of this being the dangerous dog waking closely behind the children as they sit on a curb.

The enigma of this short film is the continuation of the wasp metaphor throughout. The wasp is a representation of Zoe. We see the wasp trapped inside the window of the flat trying to get out repeatedly. This is a symbol of Zoe being trapped inside her own life and wanting freedom for herself. The wasp is then let out of the window and we see it fly away, this is an equivalent of Zoe getting the opportunity to go out with Dave, giving her escapism from her own life. Zoe and the wasp share many personality similarities further confirming the metaphor theory, both have a short temper and cause danger to her children (wasp getting into baby’s mouth). Wasps are seen as a pest and an animal with no purpose, is this a representation of Zoe’s place in society claiming she is useless and a nuisance.

Many see Zoe accepting Dave’s offer as a selfish decision and an example of her being a bad mother as she tells her children to wait outside of the pub. I do not see this as a selfish decision but an opportunity to achieve a better life for her and her children as he could support them in a family situation. Dave and Zoe fit with Claud Levi Strauss’ theory of binary opposition. They have opposite lives with Zoe living in poverty and Dave having a job and money.

Wasp raises many questions about the future of the characters. What should happen to the children? Is Zoe a bad mother? I do not believe Zoe is a bad mother and I do think she cares about her children a lot but there is no support network in place to help her. It is obvious Zoe is not being given enough support financially as she cannot afford to feed herself and her children. If she was given a sufficient allowance of child care support she would have the time and opportunity to find employment and a chance to improve her quality of life.

British directors are known for their use of realism. These films are often more popular in Britain than any other country as they are complex and deal with real issues of the UK. Popular examples of this are “Trainspotting” by Danny Boyle and television series such as Skins. Although many believe this is not an accurate representation of the UK. My view is that if this sector in society is being represented in the media it must be a realistic view. Although I do understand that the situation may have been exaggerated for dramatic effect or that it is showing a very rare underclass in society and that is very uncommon.

In conclusion, I think that Wasp’s emotional impact is a result of the realism used and the frequent hand-held camera work putting the audience in the production. I also think that the character of Zoe has received a lot of criticism due to her situation being under represented in society and the average person not understanding the struggles of life in her circumstances.