Influences

I have been researching into somethings that I feel will majorly influence our film opening:

1970s Research

It was a decade of change: 

·      contraception became free of charge for women in 1974

·      the Sex Discrimination Act in 1975 made it illegal for employers to discriminate based on gender in several industries

·      despite the Equal Pay Act being passed in 1970, it took five years to take effect

·      topless model shooting

·      colour televisions were coming in.

·      the IRA

·      difficult politically and economically

·      star wars

·      space hoppers

As a result, our film opening brings up dark themes and topic concerning feminism, sex, drugs, contraception, some social terrorism, etc. 

Rastafari Research

·      Rastafari is a young, Africa-centred religion which developed in Jamaica in the 1930s. Rastafarians believe Haile Selassie is God and that he will return to Africa members of the black community who are living in exile as the result of colonisation and the slave trade.

·      There are approximately one million worldwide adherents of Rastafari as a faith. The 2001 census found 5,000 Rastafarians living in England and Wales.

·      It spread globally following the success of Bob Marley and his music in the 1970s

·      Rastafarians believe that blacks are the chosen people of God, but that through colonisation and the slave trade their role has been suppressed

·      The movement's greatest concerns are the repatriation of blacks to their homeland, Africa, and the reinstatement of blacks' position in society

·      Rastafari religious ceremonies consist of chanting, drumming and meditating to reach a state of heightened spirituality

·      Rastafarian religious practice includes the ritual inhalation of marijuana, to increase their spiritual awareness

·      There is a separate code of religious practice for women in Rastafari

·      Rastafarians believe reincarnation follows death and that life is eternal

·      Rastafarians are forbidden to cut their hair; instead, they grow it and twist it into dreadlocks

·      Rastafarians eat clean and natural produce, such as fruit and vegetables

·      Rastafarians try to refrain from the consumption of meat, especially pork

·      Rastafarians are opposed to abortion and contraception

·      The lion is the symbol of Rastafari

·      Rastafari colours are red, green and gold. Sometimes black is added. These colours are chosen because:

o  Red signifies the blood of those killed for the cause of the black community, throughout Jamaican history

o  Green represents Jamaica's vegetation and hope for the eradication of suppression

o  Gold symbolises the wealth of Ethiopia

o  Black signifies the colour of the Africans who initiated Rastafari

1970s Music:

‘Waterloo’- ABBA

‘I Shot The Sheriff’- Eric Clapton

‘I’m Leaving It (All) Up To You’- Donny and Marie Osmond

‘Stayin’ Alive’- The Bee Gees

‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’- Elton John

1970s Fashion:

The 1970s influence

The idea of blending 1970 influences into a contemporary film was inspired from Wes Anderson’s ideas of sticking to a specific colour pallet. We will put small references to the Rastafarian culture around our main character’s room such as posters with lions or symbols of marijuana as this will show she supports some of its beliefs.