In our two-minute motion picture there are two very different social groups which are represented. ‘Lily’ herself is an obvious representation of the terrible amounts of young people who are diagnosed with a terminal illness every year. To the majority the figures published of people suffering with such illnesses are seen as mere numbers when in reality there is a person and family behind every single digit. Costume plays a large part in the representation of this social group. ‘Lily’ wears a long head scarf to portray her loss of hair due to her illness, and also wears lounge wear/pyjamas which slightly less obviously shows that she has been perhaps bed bound all day or has been resting at the least. Her pale make up and dark under eyes help convey her lack of energy and her poorly state.
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The costume subverts representation of women as objects of sexual desire in the majority of other films, as ‘Lily’ is not attractive and doesn’t wear feminine revealing clothing. With regards to gender, Gauntlett believed that people tend to follow what is expected of their gender because it is what is reinforced by the world around them, and when thinking about ‘Harry’ as the sensitive, caring male we can see that this is true due to the abundant rise of the metrosexual male in modern society. After that little digression…the use of props also helps with the repsentation of the terminally ill. We have used medication and blood capsules as clear indicators of who she represents. As with props and costume, certain camera angles depict her as a representation of somebody with an illness. Perhaps the most obvious being the shot of her on the floor at the end of the two-minute piece. Her lying on the floor shows her vulnerability and lack of power. She herself is a clear representation of the thousands effected by terminal illness which will perhaps help raise awareness in society.
The movie also represents young teenagers and the love relationships formed during this age. It may seem rather cliché to involve a love story in the film too, but our group felt that if it was made aware ‘Lily’ had close relations with somebody, the loss of her battle would prove even more poignant and emotionally demanding for the audience.
The relationship between the two characters in ‘Never Coming Back’
A love relationship between two young teens is also formed in ‘My Sister’s Keeper’
‘Harry’ and ‘Lily’s’ love relationship is shown indirectly through the scrap-book, letter and dress. Even though ‘Harry’ is not seen in the opening of the film the whole two minutes is the leading up to ‘Lily’ getting ready to see him, therefore proving him to be a very important character. Obviously, the couple’s relationship will (if the film were to continue) develop throughout eventually leading to an outcome. But nevertheless, even in the opening of the motion picture the audience may begin to notice the representation of young teenagers and their relationships with lovers.
