BURNING AN ILLUSION
UK, 1981, 111 minutes, Colour.
Cassie Mc Farlane, Victor Romero.
Directed by Menelik Shabazz.
Burning an Illusion is an interesting British social drama, of particular interest because produced by the British Film Institute and concerns itself with British born blacks in England. The film focuses on the racist situation, the British born blacks finding their place in contemporary English society. The film also focuses on a woman as central character and explores themes of Women's Liberation, masculine and feminine roles and expectations. The film is well acted, aims for wide audience response and touches on the sentimental rather than on the severely intellectual or impassioned exploration of a cause.
1. Significance of the title? Its tone? English audience, black and white? International audience? Racial interest, feminist interest? A blend of the entertaining and the militant?
2. British production values: colour photography, locations, the re-creation of the British lifestyle? Black world, white world, interaction? Shops, prison, streets, homes? The musical score?
3. British subcultures and counter cultures? The impact on its range of audiences? The quality of observation, feeling? How much anger? How much hope? Needs for change?
4. The film's focus on Pat: observing her, audiences identifying with her and her experiences? Her age, home life, work, feminine roles and expectations? Her experience in being brought up? Black in England? Her manner and style? Hopes? Aristocratic expectations and style?
5. Del: the contrast, her contact with him, the meal, the wine, at home, living with him, his reserve, work, sexual relationship? The effect on Pat? Del and work? His criticism of her and her aristocratic presuppositions? Reconciliation? The change with his going to prison?
6. Pat and British society? Her ambitions, hopes? Her fitting into role expectations? Comparisons with Cynthia: her influence, friend, the child? Lana and sharing with her, the meetings? Sonia and her preoccupations about marriage? Her being considered silly? The influence of the women on Pat? Her influence on them?
7. Del and prison, vengeance. resentment, Pat's visits and his reactions, the device of dramatising the letters? His gloom? The appeal and the administration of justice? Audience sympathy for him and resentment as regards the interpretation of justice? His being influenced by Pat to read in prison, the social awareness. the changes in his attitude?
8. Pat and her decisions, reading? The impact of Lana? The change in fashion and make up? The exploring of African culture, ideas? Involvement in causes? Her new awareness? Her participation in protest, violence, shootings?
9. The background of the parent generation? Presented understandingly? Accuracy of observation? Comment by observation? The difference with the contemporary generation?
10. A sketch of England today? The racial tensions and situations? Work and unemployment, oppression and rights? The need for change and awareness, personal militancy? The effectiveness of the film as story and entertainment? As exploration of character? As message film?
