Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Response to Topic A: Hedwig used music, comedy, and pathos to tell the story. I think these elements were used very well to tell the story of Hedwig’s struggles. This film has pushed in a direction ever so controversial, touching subjects as cross-dressing, gender bending, etc. It is a film that celebrates individuality. The music in this film played a big role in telling Hedwig’s story. Hedwig’s music combined moments of comedy, and emotion to deliver a side of storytelling that the audience could very well appreciate as the film unfolded Hedwig’s struggles. The music of the band combined rock and punk that delivered epic ballads like “The Origin of Love” and then more of a thrashing punk narrative like “Angry Inch” that gave the audience a detailed map of Hedwig’s life. In addition, these performances delivered such genuine emotionality that you feel like that you are riding along with Hedwig’s life struggles. And the fact that she can sing beautifully, heavy or soft, is something that adds to the effect. You can see that she gets lost in the performance that which is her insanity of life. Another element this film does well is in it humor. A scene of Hedwig performing her sets in bars where the audience consists mostly of hardcore Christian conservatives is very hilarious. As she was performing, I am anticipating a bar fight, and sure enough it happens. The humor in the film I think lives up to the task of shaping a story that can be sympathetically accepted by the audience. I sense a pathos persuasion throughout the whole film. Dwelling deep into Hedwig’s life from the beginning, while interweaving stunning and emotional music, original humor, and sex to enter the audiences’ heart, the film successfully gives us a perspective in someone else’s shoes. It takes subjects that are disgusting, and makes it somewhat beautiful and