SLAP (Roland, 2015) - Short Film 2

SLAP (Roland, 2015)

Narrative:

Slap is a 2015 coming of age short film about a teenage boxer expressing himself through feminine attire and makeup to give him a sense of freedom, confronting the restrictive standards of masculinity. The film begins with our protagonist, Conner, putting on makeup until his father calls for him, were Conner panics and hides the makeup. We cut to him boxing, then introduced to Archie and Lola (his girlfriend). Conner tells Lola he’s ‘training’, but in fact he’s wearing a dress and makeup. This version of himself looks happy and free until he’s interrupted by Archie being chased and beaten by a thug. Conner hesitates before helping Archie, revealing his secret. Archie seems to except Conner and keeps it a secret. Until Lolas party were it all blows up. Conner decides to dress how he wants to dress but is insulted, Lola blows up at Conner, were Archie betrays him and adds to the hate. Conners pent up aggression and frustration ends up with him seriously beating up his opponent whitest boxing

Representation:

Self expression is the main focal point of the film, highlighting the aggressive masculine standers in sport. Conner isn’t inherently trying to show his sexuality and or his gender through the his clothing, he’s just doing what makes him feel free. Conner is a young man trying to construct his own sense of masculinity, but is scrutinised by the fact he’s wearing gender defined clothing. The film highlights the miss representation of someone because of how they look, Conner doesn’t have to inherently be queer to dress in clothing designed for he opposite sex.

Micro Elements:

Cinematography:

• The First shot of the film, Conner is looking into the mirror. Over the shoulder shot, we’re looking from his perspective. It’s himself looking at the version of himself that he wants to be, but trapped to only doing makeup inside. Conners reflection is used again in a later show, with a cracked mirror which represents how Conner is feeling broken inside, due to the fact he has to hide his true self from those he cares about.
• A lot of hand held camera shots are used when Connor is boxing, to show how aggressive and rough the sport is. As if we were put into the action.
• The hand held shot of Conner in his house makes us feel uneasy as if he doesn’t feel safe in his own home.

Sound:

• Somber non-diegetic music is used at the begging of the film which helps show a sense of at ease when he's applying his makeup. Until we hear the door open and his father's voice. 
• The silence in the finale scene of of the short film shows how much Conners emotions have taken over him. How much he can't control himself and how angry and frustrated he feel inside.

Mise en scene:

• The colour palette of the film is very dark and dingy which makes his makeup stand which represents the joy in his life and what takes him out of his colourless life.
• The 'Feminine' clothing and makeup he wears seems to be purposefully ill fitting to show to the audience that Conner doesn't really have any direction in what he wears because he doesn't have any proper direction from someone because he just learns from magazines he hides. The outfit being mismatched is purposeful as he's very limited in what he can get his hands on.

Performance:

• When we see the young lad dressed in the grey dress, he seems much more free to express himself how he wants, this contrasts to his reserved demeanour when he’s wearing traditionally masculine clothing.
• When he goes down stair after seeing the lad getting chased we see the panic and how worried he is to get seen by anyone.
• Conner seems like a very reserved and distant character he seems to have very limited dialogue, especially when he's taking to his girlfriend. His body language is very tense and awkward. This contrasts with his loose free nature when he's wearing makeup and feminine clothing, his body language loosens up.  

Editing:

• As scenes intensify, like during the final scenes the camera cuts from different angles, to me this scene more dramatic.
• When Connor is boxing in his room wearing his dress and listening to music the camera cuts from Conner getting progressively happier, jumping around and overall being more free. the camera  is a mid shot of him in his room almost like we're his reflection, the steady camera reflects how incontrol and stable he feels.

Meaning & Messages:

This film is clearly a message on the issues with gender in clothing. This assumption that you have to be a curtain way to express yourself with how you dress. Conner clearly doesn't have any desire to be identified as a different gender or sexuality, but the people around him assumes he either wants to be a 'women' or identifies as 'gay'. This issue is also rooted in toxic masculinity and the standard's set for boys at a young age. Boy's in society are expected to be 'masculine' whenever expresses anything overtly 'feminine' they are shamed and made to feel insecure. This film clearly points out these issues.

Influence:

• A look into underrepresented people who have a history of being shamed in society. 
• Its use of a working class setting makes it a much more relatable film to the ordinary audience member. The film being shot in an actual working class neighborhood adds that sense of realism to the short film.