Context in Trainspotting

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How does the Mise-en-scene and the music in Trainspotting reflect the social and cultural contexts of the film's setting.

Trainspotting reflects the social and cultural content with the use of Mise-en-scene and music. We can see the lack of employment in Scotland which is brought on by the post Thatcher era which is clearly where the film Trainspotting is based, this is shown when Renton says "choose life, choose a job, choose a career, choose a family, choose a f***ing big television ect". The drug and rave culture is very well used in this film as we see the gang of people using heroine and have become addicted to it, this is all because they don't have work to go to due to the Thatcherism which made a massive rise in unemployment. The rave culture is shown when Renton meets Diane they are dancing and listening to music that was popular at that period of time. The music is very well thought out in this film as it uses non synchronous sound which is sound that doesn't fit the thing that is happening visually. The 1990's music in Trainspotting shows rebellion with Iggy Pop's song Lust for life this shows the destructiveness of Renton and how he is abusing drugs and how he is trying to overthrow society. Over the corse of the film the music comes more optimistic as Renton's battle continues which is show with different pieces of music. Classic music is also used when Renton does down the toilet which juxtaposes with the music being classical. The piece Perfect day by Lou Reed is used when Renton has overdosed which is very ironic because this is the start of something for him as a person.  At the end there is uplifting music which is a track called Born slippy by Underworld which is a dance track reflecting the change that he has just made to his life. The different elements of Scottishness for example Clydism, Tartanary and Kailyardism. Clydism is shown in Trainspotting through scenes being set in under-privileged parts of Scotland, this shows a modern view of Scotland that is rough, dirty and citizens having a lack of determination to contribute to society. Tartanary in Trainspotting is challenging the stereotypical image of a Scottish male especially, however Begbie is shown as an violent, angry man which then enforces the stereotype of Scottish male. Kailyardism is shown in Trainspotting by the scene in the open field in Scotland where it is open and peaceful which is not shown in the villages they live in which then doesn't give them much hope of getting out of there or improving their lives.  In the film this is said by Renton to Spud "Now remember if they think your not trying your in trouble right, first hint of that they will be onto the DSSS" and "Then again, try to hard and ..." then Spud says "You might get the f*****g job" this part of Trainspotting is before the Spud's interview for a job which clearly shows they don't want to get jobs and stop doing drugs and all the things they have got used to doing.

Comments

  1. A Bateman25 April 2018 at 02:40

    Literacy- the drug is spelled "heroin". If you had the "e" it is the feminine version of "hero"

    This is very good Keighley, some very clear arguments and well structured points. Again, similarly to the points made about This Is England, you need to explain in more detail how the post Thatcher legacy has been shown throughout the film, its characters and what they do and how they behave, and especially through the mise-en-scene, emphasize that these characters are those that are left behind by the pro Capitalist, Thatcherite policies of the 80s, the inevitable consequence of a political system designed to create wealth. On the whole, very good detail and understanding of the film, and of how the music is used to communicate meaning.

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