BFI notes

The Types of Theatrical Distribution:

• Art house cinemas: The  BFI and independent cinemas such as Electric Cinema. They usually exhibit low budget films
• Multiplex cinemas: These are arge cinema chains such as Vue & Odeon 
• Prestige: These are cross-overs of both, they are low budget films with big actors. 

Institutions

Vertigo: 

• Formed in 2002 for the purpose of distributing 2 short films. 
• They avoid producing prestige films
• Partners with Syco (Simon Cowells comapany) 
• Vertigo tends to hide its low budget

Warp: 

• Formed in 2001 and started off as an electronic music label which supported challenging and experimental music
• It is a middle ground between arthouse and multiplex 
• In partnership with Film Four 
• Warp uses its low budget to inspire creative freedom. 

Uses and Gratifications for national audience?

• Information/Education: How do other British people live? What are the issues affecting the UK?
• Social Interaction: 'Crowd Pleasures' (social viewing), Oscar nominations (conversation point)
• Personal Identification: National pride, solidarity,aspiration, glamorization,reinforcing/rejecting values
• Pure Entertainment: Spectacle, escapism, adrenaline (thriller/horror), catharsis (+emotional intensity)

Uses and Gratifications for US/international audience?

• Information/Education: historical/literary figures,contemporary celebrities/royalty
• Social Interaction:'Crowd pleasures' (social viewing, Oscar nominations (conversation point)
• Personal Identification: Solidarity with subcultures/marginalized groups rarely represented in mainstream cinema 
• Pure Entertainment: spectacle, escapism, adrenaline (thriller/horror), catharsis (+emotional intensity)

United 93 Review

United 93 is a very gripping and heart-breaking film in terms of the story line and the concept, which is based on the plane United Airlines flight which was hijacked by al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001. The fact that it is based on a true story makes the audience feel great sympathy for those who suffered, as the film revolves around those who tried to regain control of the plane which eventually crashed into a field killing all onboard. The film has no political views, but rather relives the final 90 minutes of the ill-fated passengers and this film can be seen as a form of raising awareness on this event.

In terms of cinematography the film is completely shot with hand-held cameras, this only emphasises the natural feel of the film and makes it seem more like a documentary and there is a sense of realism when watch it. I believe the cinematography of this film is quite good as most of the shots are able to capture the emotions and gestures of the characters, which can give out a lot of information in a short space of time, this adds onto the tension of the film. The editing of the film i.e. fast-paced editing also adds onto the impact it has on the audience as fear and chaos are clearly represented.  The use of sorrowful music during certain parts of the film i.e. when passengers make calls to their relatives adds onto the distressing atmosphere of the film

The mise-en-scene is also quite important. For example, the cast are quite diverse from children, adults and foreigners to portray the terrorists. This adds onto the sense of realism as the diversity of passengers on a plane is represented through the cast they have chosen, and the fact that foreigners have been used to portray the terrorists adds onto this realism of the event and the stereotypes that are now part of society (foreigners are evil, dangerous). The setting is a recreation of the plane, which also adds onto the realism.

Overall, the director was quite successful with this film, and the fact that it is based on a true story only adds onto the sympathy the audience has for these passengers while also raising awareness on the gravity of this fateful event.