The horror genre during the mid 50s was targeted squarely at the “youth market” or “adolescents of whatever age” and was less popular amongst critics. The zombie genre, or “The horror of Armageddon” as Charles Derry (1977) referred to is as, was first recognized in the late 60s/early 70s with the release of Romero’s ‘Night of the Living Dead’. ‘Shaun of the Dead’ is a contemporary text which shows a good example of conveying the codes and conventions of the zombie genre, hybridity of genres and the inter-textuality that is typical of post-modernism. This essay will consider whether ‘Shaun of the Dead’ successfully follows the original codes and conventions of the zombie genre in comparison to Romero’s genre-defining films, looking particularly at ‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968). This may be one of the reasons why this contemporary text also subverts some of the codes and conventions usually associated with the zombie genre. Genre conventions are “always in play…rather than simply being re-played” as ‘Shaun of the Dead’ is a romantic, zombie, comedy it ‘re-plays’ conventions from each genre. It is a hybrid romantic, zombie comedy which pays homage to the founding director of the zombie genre, George A. Distributed by United International Pictures ‘Shaun of the Dead’ a low-budget, British film also proved to be popular in the United States. Inspired by the ‘Dead’ films of the 1960s and 1970s ‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004), directed by Edgar Wright and co-written with Simon Pegg, bought in a massive £1,603,410 at the UK box office. How does British zombie film ‘Shaun of the Dead’ follow the codes and conventions of the zombie genre? "Who died and made you fucking king of the zombies?" Ed (Nick Frost)
Progression of the zeitgeist is shown, e.g.Objectified through the male gaze, the Bond Girls (Mulvey) and are still objectified in The Sun’s and other lad’s magazines.įemme fatal always dies for her promiscuous ways.Aladdin (the hero) has a western accent, whereas the villain has an eastern accent, representing him as “the other”.Stereotypes of Asians are still used, ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ (2002) uses the accent.Lack of ethnic minorities working within institutionsīBC is “hideously white” (Greg Dyke), which shows a lack of progression.
Asians under-represented on screen because they are mainly represented by white, males who work in the institutions.1970s ITV programme ‘Mind Your Language’ reflects the zeitgeist and the immigration.Stereotypes fail to show the zeitgeist and progression.Īsian’s aren’t always ‘the other’, the ‘brown pound’ = when Asian media was popular (the Indian summer of 1997), ‘Bend it like Beckham’ (2002)Ĭompare the media portrayal of two social groups.Representing Asian’s in a third world status also allows Western ideologies to be promoted. Spivak – differences between groups are romanticized and this shouldn’t be done.Stereotypes main the idyllic status quo of patriarchyįemme fatal = always punished for their promiscuous ways.‘Goodness Gracious Me’ characters are exaggerated representation of Asians. Generates humour, for example blonde bimbos.‘Brown Clown’ is to be laughed at, women should play the Proppian role of the ‘princess’, however this is subverted with the rise of female protagonists. ‘Shake’n’Vac’ Advert women in domestic roles Easily identifiable, especially in adverts that only last 30seconds.What is there to be said for and against stereotyping in the media? Answer with references to specific examples.