Film Language
Cultural Codes
What are cultural codes?
These are signs or codes that the audience
understands because of their culture.
Cultural codes are meanings shared by
members of a culture.This word “culture” can
apply to other groupings, such as gender,
age, race, social class, specialist interest,
club.
Different cultures may have different
meanings for these codes.
What are cultural codes?
In Media Studies, this refers mainly to the
mise en scene:
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Setting
Characters (costumes, expressions, body
movement)
Props
Language: dialogue
Colours and sounds can also be
interpreted according to our culture, and
are therefore cultural codes.
In Japan…at mealtimes……
Blowing your nose in public, and
especially at the table, is considered
bad manners.
It is considered good manners to
empty your dishes to the last grain of
rice.
Unlike in some other parts of East
Asia, it is considered bad manners to
burp.
Analysis Of Cultural Codes
Description of code
Connotations
Cultural Code 1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolradio/history/worldwar2audioclipslibrary_cl
ip02.shtml
Cultural Code 2
Cultural Code 3 and 4
“cool”
“wicked”
Cultural Code 5
Cultural Code 6
Cultural Code 7
Cultural Code 8
Cultural Code 9
Cultural Code 10
Cultural Code 11
Cultural Code 12
Cultural Code 13
Cultural Code14
Cultural Code 15
Cultural Code 16
Cultural Code 17
Cultural Code 18
Cultural Code 19
Writing About Cultural Codes
Once you have identified and analysed the
codes in the image, you must then explain
the message (or ideology) of the image.
What does the film poster reveal about
characters/narrative?
The cultural code of the large high heel stamping
on the white background suggests female
dominance and leadership. The incorporation of the
devil’s trident as the heel suggests that this female
is sinister, cruel, scheming or ambitious. This idea is
furthered by the title of the film: “The Devil Wears
Prada” which makes fashion synonymous with evil,
suggesting that the main character has certain
qualities associated with the devil. The fashion
world is being revealed as a thoroughly worldly,
cut-throat and bitchy place, perhaps.
The rich red colour of the shoe suggests temptation
and seduction, and contrasts with the plain white
background, suggesting purity and innocence and
therefore in danger.
The blue background shades in a cityscape, representative
of the city corporate world, a place of commerce and
business. The orange silhouette that emerges from the city
is angled to show us two conflicting cultural codes: the
angel’s halo and the devil’s tale. While the brief case
connotes that he is a business man, the halo suggests his
innocence and saintliness. The devil’s tail suggests sin,
corruption, deceit, and manipulation. The business man is
therefore masquerading as legitimate, trustworthy and
honourable in business, while the tail contradicts this. The
angle of the silhouette enables the viewer to see the tail
and not be fooled.
The figure is obviously representative of the corporation,
the subject of this documentary, that clearly seeks to
expose this person.
The corporation is embodied as a person here, suggestive
of how corporations are legalised and marketed.
The cultural codes of the sword, armour and the
Colosseum in the background anchor the genre
of the film. These codes suggest that the film will
be an action-oriented historical epic set in Rome.
The huge size of the main character suggests his
importance and dominance. The way he dwarfs
the Colosseum and is framed by the golden sky
makes him look powerful and godlike. His
expression is serious and determined. His stance
is defensive: he is ready to fight, but not the
aggressor, suggesting that he is defending his
life or honour.
The cultural code of the gambling chips and the casino table
anchor the location of this film and suggest that the
narrative will be centred around a high stakes game. The
gun is laid on the table as if it were a chip, suggesting that
violence will be used to resolve problems. This is a promise
of action
Bond is dressed in his typical formal smart tux, showing his
style and suavity. His hand rests over the gun in an
ambiguous way. He may have put it down or about to pick it
up, suggesting imminent violence and action.
His side way look suggests that he is alert, perhaps hunted,
or in danger. His expression is predatory. He appears strong,
calm, serious and determined; not someone to be crossed.
He appears to be a mixture of violence and intelligence; a
risk taker and romantic.
Create cultural codes for…..People
Wealthy man
Business man
Soldier
Drug dealer
Teacher
Doctor
Church minister
Policeman
Fireman
Politician
Create cultural codes for…..Places
School
The moon
Cinema
Prison
Scotland
Church
Restaurant
Ocean
Cemetery
America
Create cultural codes for …..
Learning/Education
Power
Hatred
Love
War
Poverty
Wealth/riches
Death
Success
Space exploration