Contents
Abstract 2
Introduction and Thesis 3
Plot 3
Characters 4
Iconography 4
Ways in which genres has change 5
Paragraph five: Genres it has merged with 5
Ways in which SNATCH follows generic conventions 6
Ways in which SNATCH subverts the genre 7
Reasons why gangster movies are interested today 8
Conclusion 8
REFERENCE LIST 9

Abstract

The project is about the gangster movie genre with all its elements that contains. Moreover the fundamentals of plot, iconography, characters, ways that genre has change and how are they connected with others are briefly explained. The Snatch as an example of gangster movie is presented and analyzed. It is shown how this movie follows the pattern of gangster movies, and which characteristics do not. Furthermore it is explained why gangsters movies are still popular and attractive for the audience.

Introduction and Thesis

One of the most popular and productive genre is crime genre. According to Stankic N. (2004) and Neale, S. (2000) Crime genre is presented with three smaller ones which have similar characteristics but different stories. These subgenres are: detective, thriller and gangster genre. Crime genre name is used for all the movies that have developed composite tale which action is connected with breaking the law, violence or with murder. This action can be any crime that, as result, has a hard moral judgment. The movie Snatch, made by Guy Ritchie is gangster movie because there is a robbery story, movie consists plenty scene with shooting as well as the gangsters are main characters. It this movie we can find as well some comedy, and action genre characteristic. The best scene which confirms all the characteristics mentioned above is the scene in the beginning where it is shown the action of stealing the diamond preformed by Jewish gang.

Plot

Neale, S. (2000) and Dirks, T (1995) reveal that the plots are about branched criminal activities, or a personal project as a robbery, smuggling, or ordered murder or just a murder. Moreover the plot of the movie can be the rivalry between the gangsters, or about the American dream of every criminal, to become rich and famous, or the gangster loyalty (betrayal) for their hood or their other “brothers” in gang, Depending of in which time movie was made themes varied based on political happening first in America and then in other countries. The plots are manly featured with 3 main parts of action: coming to gang or making the gang, the ascent, and descend of gang.

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Taken from: www.imdb.com

Characters

Neale, S (2000), Stankic, N. (2004), F, Manson (2002) and Dirkis, T (1995) agree that the characters in gangsters movies are a part of gang or single personalities. Moreover the characters have their code of behavior. Gangsters are usually clever, strange, unexplained, and smart –streets, they do not care about moral values and they are self destructive. Characters are also very dedicated to the business that they are doing no matter that that is something illegal. Earlier the gangsters were colored people but in now days that can be anybody. Gangs or mafias usually are connected by same ethnic identity and most common are Italian mafia, black gangs, Russian mafia, Irish and etc. Characters often have deviant relationship with women; moreover they are used as a decoration, asset or characteristics of power like a witch, car or cigarette. Furthermore there are characters that public love even if they are bad guys, but there are the others that are bad guys between bad ones. The example for this is Godfather, where the gang is part of some feudal system, and bosses are staying out of gang, anonymous and distant, they are hiding behind the brave leader of gang, this kind characters public does not love.

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Taken from: www.imdb.com

Iconography

From International Movie Data Base and Work (2004) and words of Stankic, N. It is possible to conclude that gangsters movies are usually settled in big cities which are overcrowded. Specific atmosphere is often used to reveal the secret world of crime, and its protagonist. The gangster’s offices are typically placed in bars, night clubs or casinos .They also have fast cars and a lot of cash. Their personality is presented by weapons which they use or wardrobe style and car they drive. Music is also important; it can be mystic or fast and it always follows the atmosphere.

Ways in which genres has change

Neale, S(2000) state and Stankic, N. trough the interview explain how trough development of the genre the profile of the main protagonist has changed. More over gangers in 30`s was self – madman, egoist that was roughly drew toward the goal. In 40`s gangster is becoming the criminal that was rhizome tortured conscience who is trying to help a country in trouble. After the War the main character is person which is mentally ill, jaunty and uncertain. At 50`s the gangster is less lost and the character is vanished illusion, and it is turned against aggressive destruction of society.

In now days also the comedy is becoming present in the film, characters are comic, usually they are cool persons. Furthermore it`s frequently that the gangers are not punished, and that they are not even shown as a negative characters even if they are doing against the law. Additionally the gangers or gangs were consist from color people, but through the development of genre that has change too, in new modern movies gangster can be anyone. The ideology has change, provoked by the the political and social events.

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Taken from: www.imdb.com

Paragraph five: Genres it has merged with

According to Stankic, N.words The gangster genre has merged with adventure movies, the connection of these two genres is the destination of where is the movie set, exotic or inaccessible places where the action is happening or the gangsters are trying to rich. Moreover it is also compound with other subgenres of crime: detective, thriller. The link is the similar plot and events, character are comparable too. One more genre that is increasingly present in gangster’s movies is comedy. Parody is becoming the integral part of characters of gang’s movies.

Ways in which SNATCH follows generic conventions

Nikola S, briefly analyzed Snatch movie trough interview and alleged that the plot in the Snatch follows all the elements of gangster movie, it has the big diamante robbery, killings, also there is a complex story about three different multinational mafias that are competing and gypsy group that in the end unexpectedly overcome all the others. Fighting for the diamante they are trying to reach powers and money and there is entwined one of main characteristic of gangster movies, trying to achieve American dream and become wealthy and powerful. Snatch has a big ethical mix of characters. There is Jewish mafia, but Jews from round the world, black gang, and English gang, there also a Gypsies group and representative of Russian mafia (Boris the blade) Moreover the characters are all represented with parody, they are all well noun gangster but they are clumsy and all of them make some mistake. In this Gangster movie the gangsters are not presented as bad guys, although all of them are, except the Tommy who is trying to be gangster, but he actually did not do anything. Story is made from their angle, so the viewer can identify with the character.

Turkish is a typical gangster, he is stylish, handsome and smart, and he is also very capable on the streets. Moreover he has his assistant Tommy, Tommy present the clumsy assistant that always do something wrong not intensely. Others, like Avi, Sol,Vinny, Franky Four Fingers, Bullet Tooth Tony, Boris The Blade, Doug The Head, and Brick Top are all gangsters that got their nick names by their style or the things that they did. They all have sense for humor which is classic for gangsters. In this movie trough the diverse characters is shown the complexity of underground life.

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The humor has an important role in nature of this film. Characters are like a parody to a serious gangsters. That is displayed in scenes like when the black gang is expecting coming of Franky Four Fingers and the Tyron is parking the car, or in scene with Dough the head when he is entering the jewelry shop and in many others

Iconography is very usual for the gangster genre. Movie is manly set in London which is overcrowded city with developed underground. Turkish office is a trailer that is placed in some dark corner which is very common for this genre; moreover the atmosphere in whole movie is a bit dark but very energetic and dynamic. Each character has its personal style of doing the business especially when it comes to way of killing or weapon that they are using. All roles are very good presented in opening sequence. Were the viewers are getting picture of each personality.

Because the parody the movie is connected with comedy, also some critics are characterizing this movie as a thriller and crime movie.

Ways in which SNATCH subverts the genre

Characters in Snatch have all the characteristic of the gangster’s movie but they are clumsy, they always fail to do their work, they are smart and stupid at the same time which is not characterized for gangster genre. The scene that shows clumsy untypical character is when Tyron is trying to go out of car. The important character in Snatch movie is Mickey, he is not gangster, but he is a gypsy and one of their uniqueness is that there are cunning. Gypsy gang is not common for gangsters genre moreover the end of film when they overcome everyone is also something that subverts the genre, but they do not finish with the diamante which brings movie to the customary gangster movie.

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Reasons why gangster movies are interested today

Human nature is the reason why from the beginning of the gangster movie till today this genre has been very productive and attractive to the viewers. Passion for the crime, human necessity for accomplishing in forbidden activities is in the unconscious parts of the human psyche, therefore appears strong identification with the characters in the movie.

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Conclusion

The gangster movies still have important role in film industry, this genre of movies has its faithful audience, it has change trough out the time but it has not changed the main characteristics. The iconography became modernized because of the innovation in time but main characters kept their features. The Snatch is in its base a gangster movie saturated with humor.

REFERENCE LIST

• Neale, S. (2000) Genre and Hollywood, London, Routledge

• Dirks,T. (1995) Main Film Genres [on line] available from :

http://www.filmsite.org/crimefilms.html [accessed 21.4.2010]

• http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0208092/keywords [accessed 20.04.2010]

• Stankic N. (2004) Crime genre, Belgrade

• Interview, Stankic,N.( 09.04.2010.) Belgrade

• Manson F.(2002)American gangster cinema, New York, Palgrave Macmillan

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