This short film explores the comedic and uncomfortable situation of a mother having to explain what being a virgin means to her innocent young daughter. The film uses the daughter's questioning of the term "virgin oil" to plunge the mother into an awkward explanation of sexual intercourse. Through close-up shots of the mother's facial expressions, the film puts the daughter in control and shows the conversation from the mother's embarrassed perspective. It targets both parents who can relate to this scenario, as well as children to show their point of view of learning about intimacy from their parents.
3. GENRE
Media is the categorisation of media texts. Genre is an important aspect to consider
when creating as film as it then links with audience, text and industry. We think that
the genre of this film is a comedy drama
We think it is a comedy drama for many reasons. One reason that it is a drama is
because it is a realistic circumstance which may take place in a parents life.
There is also a comedic element as there is a misunderstanding of what the innocent
child is asking. This topic of conversation is often a touchy subject which parents may
find awkward to speak about. The fact that this is explored in a funny way helps to
add a comedic element to what may be seen as a uncomfortable situation.
The child in this film asks her mother what virgin means in the context of oil. This
then leads to the mother trying to find a child friendly way to explain it to her
daughter but she ends up getting carried away with what sexual intercourse is.
4. NARRATIVE
In this short film, it highlight one of every parents
nightmares, the day they have to explain what “making
love”
This can then relate to many other parents as people have
different ways in which they get around this sort of
problem
During the short film when seeing the mother we see
close up shots and over the shoulder shot this gives the
impression that the child is in control as the camera
always shows the moms facial expressions.
This specific film is a single strand narrative as there is
only one story line happening on screen.
This is also a open ended narrative as
6. AUDIENCE
I think the primary audience targeted was parents and
how they would react if they were in the same situation
with a child asking what being a virgin is, because it
shows the parents point of view on how uncomfortable it
is being asked that question.
The secondary audience would be children because the
short film involved a young girl basically making her the
supporting actress. Also it shows the child point of view
of being told what a virgin is by their parents therefore
giving the impression that this short film was targeted to
children as well as parents.
7. MEDIA LANGUAGE
During the short film when seeing the mother we see
close up shots and over the shoulder shot this gives the
impression that the child is in control as the camera
always shows the moms facial expressions.
8. FUNDING AND DISTRIBUTION
It was directed by Michael Davies and produced Sandra Gorel
in the UK in 2008. It was funded by Michael Davies Films
and Spellbound films. The funding was an estimation of
£3,000. It was also distributed by Michael Davies Films and
Spellbound films. To various festivals such as:
Encounters Short Film Festival, London, 2008
NFTS DepicT! Special Mention Award, DepicT!, London,
2008
Palm Springs International Film Festival, USA, 2008
Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, USA, 2008
Heart of Gold Film Festival, Australia, 2009
Filmfest, Dresden, Germany, 2009
Tres Courts, France, 2009
Seattle International Film Festival, USA, 2009
9. SUCCESS
IMBD gave the short film 6.7/10 from 157 users
giving it an average score.
