The political commentary that the archived footage uses lets the audience understand British politics and the state of affairs regarding youth cultures in Britain. In addition, the national anthem is personal to Britain so this is another characteristic. The film is based on a British youth culture: music, fashion and social practises which were common in the 1990s.
2) Do the characters have a 'British reserve'?
A 'British reserve' relates to the stereotype of the "stiff upper lip". It's the objection to showing emotion and acting in a way that could be seen as "off-centre". It's generally associated with the privacy that the British enjoy; language is heavily moderated and gestures are restrained.
On the whole, I would suggest that the characters don't have 'British reserve' as they are mostly confident in speaking freely and using gestures to explain their actions. It could be said that the adult characters are depicted having a 'British reserve' as they are seen to be more authoritative and reserved compared to the youth. This can be seen specifically in the scene where the news reporters interview the two female characters. They use an authoritative tone when interviewing them and their actions are very controlled. They look out of place standing still in the club compared to the dancing youths who are expressing themselves using large movements.
Conversely, it could be said that when they sing a variation of the British anthem this could be a type of 'British reserve'. It would usually be sung in a respectful way before an event or to signify an occasion. However, they begin singing their version standing and using minimal arm gestures - their more controlled movements could be an attempt at having 'British reserve'. This is then continued when others stand and sing - much like at a major event when the anthem is sung.
National Anthem
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long reign over us:
God save the Queen.
O Lord, our God, arise,
Scatter her enemies,
And make them fall.
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all.
Thy choicest gifts in store,
On her be pleased to pour:
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sign with heart and voice
God save the Queen.
1) Do you believe the Monarchy should still exist in the UK 'long reign over us'?
Personally I feel that the Monarchy, although politically powerless now, should still exist in the UK. They bring profit to the country through tourism and provide a representative symbol for the UK to live under. Having said this, I feel that they technically the line 'long reign over us' is suggestive that they still hold a lot of power and authority in the UK - which now they don't. So, this line isn't true but they do still have a huge impact on British culture and the way the British are viewed by other cultures. The Monarchy is a main identity symbol for the UK and without it our cultural identity would be altered dramatically.
2) What part of the national anthem do you believe in and why?
I believe in the lines "Long live our noble Queen"and "Happy and glorious". These positively represent the Monarchy and illustrate the Queen as a pleasant and joyous person. Furthermore, it uplifts the mood and creates a sense of national togetherness and an overall cultural identity. Perhaps, the "God save us all" bit also represents the nation as having religious morals.
3) What part of the national anthem do you disagree with and why?
I disagree with the lines "Scatter her enemies, And make them fall. Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks" and "May she defend our laws". This is because she no longer has control over the law or what happens politically. This means that any wars going on would be controlled by another service - she wouldn't command soldiers to fight or control other countries politics. Therefore, these lyrics are meaningless and deceiving.
I'm trying to be myself
Understand everyone
Mission and a half
Looking at everyone
Trying to learn something
But I am getting more confused
It's hard being cool
Out generation
Alienation
Have we a soul?
Techno emergency
Virtual Reality
We're running out of new ideas
Who is the Queen?
1) Why did Jip rewrite the national anthem (what issues is he raising)?
Jip rewrote the national anthem because he was trying to explain the things that the youth have to put up with and the social pressures they face. He's raising the issue of self confidence: "I'm trying to be myself". This could be social pressures from friends, family or the media which Jip feels is trying to force him to be someone who he's not. It also raises the point that youth don't always understand why they're being asked or instructed to do something: "Understand everyone, Mission and a half". He then goes on to explain how he overcomes this: "Looking at everyone, Trying to learn something, But I am getting more confused". Again, the last line indicates the struggle that youth find with trying to 'discover' themselves.
Furthermore, the lines "Our generation, Alienation, Have we a soul? Techno emergency, Virtual emergency, Virtual reality, Running out of new ideas, Who is the Queen?" indicate a theme of separation of youths. The words "our generation" could have multiple inferences; they are including everyone in the generation. This means older people are excluded and they are subverting themselves from mainstream society. Crucially, anyone who doesn't know the Queen cannot be part of the culture and is seen as an outsider. Therefore, their admission that the generation as a whole don't know who she is demonstrates that they are separated from the adults and subvert the recognised British culture.
2) Do you believe the new anthem is easier to identify with than the original and why?
Personally, I don't feel that either anthem is particularly easy to identify with as they don't relate to me. The UK's anthem uses the Queen as a metaphor for the country and represents British unity. I can't identify to the Human Traffic national anthem because I don't feel that I am alienated from society or the people around me. It could be suggested that in a way I am perhaps influenced by the media representations of people and that affects the way I try to be myself (like the first line), however I don't actively try to be anyone else except myself. Therefore, it's mostly irrelevant because it doesn't apply to me.
Cultural Hegemony
Gramsci, 1930
"Cultural hegemony is the philosophic and sociological concept, originated by the Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci, that a culturally-diverse society can be ruled or dominated by one of its social classes. It is the dominance of one social group over another, e.g. the ruling class over all other classes. The theory claims that the ideas of the ruling class come to be seen as the norm; they are seen as universal ideologies, perceived to benefit everyone whilst only really benefiting the ruling class".
Authority Figures
How were 'authority figures' in Human Traffic represented?
1) Moff's father is a policeman in Human Traffic. His character is an explicit representation of authority as policemen are law-abiding and seen as people who don't stray from the socially accepted. During the scene where Moff is having dinner with his family his father is initially seen reading the paper. This represents him as politically aware and therefore in a position of power and authority - much like how MP's are represented in the news. Furthermore, at the outset of the scene he refers to someone Moff's age as a "kid". This term puts him in a position of authority as it's demeaning and offencive to those who are that age. By using a derogatory term, Moff's father is positioning himself separate and higher up than them. Moff's father is further represented as an authority figure by the use of mid shot camera angles which frame him in the centre of the screen. He becomes the centre of attention and therefore an authority figure. What's more, he is almost looking directly into the camera which represents him as intimidating, as if he is directing his comments at the audience.
2) Jip's mum is a prostitute in Human Traffic. Her character juxtaposes the typical mother role as she has little authority over Jip. He feels more protective over her as he dislikes it when she is with a client and he is in the house too. In this scene the roles are also reversed because he becomes the authority figure as he thinks he knows best for his mother. Her lack of authority is portrayed mainly in the mis-en-scene with her costume. She wears a dressing gown in one scene which is associated with a relaxed situation and not one where authority is being established. What's more, her hair flows freely as if it's not been brushed or styled. This demonstrates a lack of authority as she isn't taking a lot of care over her appearance, suggesting to the audience that she doesn't have the motivation or determination in other areas of her life either.
3) Koop's father is in a psychiatric ward in Human Traffic. His character juxtaposes the traditional idea of an 'authority figure' because he has had his authority removed from him. He is possibly there against his wishes, therefore he isn't able to be a role model for Koop.
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