Genre analysis of The Unforgiven And Brokeback Mountain

The two Western theatrical trailers The Unforgiven and Brokeback Mountain are filmed in different eras, the trailers have distinctive contrasts between each other; shep has altered and affected the way the latest Western characters and narrative are mediated to reflect on social issues and acceptance. Additionally films such as Brokeback Mountain are not only Westerns but Hybrids as it depicts romance more than violence and binary oppositions between hero and villain.

The Unforgiven has actors such as a Clint Eastwood, who is renowned for his hard-man, anti-hero character roles; Eastwood conforms to his generic character type as the anti hero as in The Unforgiven trailer he as an actor alone acts as a symbol of a typical western with violent gun fights with his outlawed heroes with a cause. Additionally, the iconography depicted in the trailer such as clothing e.g. long coat and props e.g. guns associate with the whole idea of the Western genre. Additionally close ups and low key lighting is used on Clint Eastwood to create an atmospheric scene and his dishevelled beard connotes his rebellious streak in society and symbolises his anti hero character role. Furthermore the narrative structure is enforced by proppian theory as there is a clear binary opposition depicted by the heroic outlaws and the villainous law. Therefore audience has a clear understanding of the narrative structure and indentify with the hero. Moreover, the trailer uses fast edits and cuts, this connotes its raw depiction of the era it portrays and connotes Clint Eastwood’s rough and rugged character.

Nevertheless the Brokeback Mountain trailer focuses on social issues such as gay relationships in the late 20th century and also gay cowboys in the Wild West. The audience have grown to the idea of a cowboy as a man who’s a gun fighter has a cause to fight, rebellious and generally very masculine. However the Brokeback Mountain’s characters played Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal counter the generalised stereotype of a cowboy and the narrative of a Western genre. Furthermore the genre of the Brokeback Mountain is a hybrid as it also focuses on romance more then a generic western. This is depicted in the lustful scenes between to men and outlines the social issues of homophobia by the public in the past and present. Additionally the mise en scene in the trailer of evergreen hills and secluded mountain range depicts the film to be focused more on romance, love and companionship rather than gun fights and rebellious outlaws who fight for freedom and justice. Additionally the long shots and pan shots of the mountain range and the two men portray a scenic atmosphere and a getaway from society, a place where they accept each other for who they really are indifferent to a gang of outlaws hiding from the law in deserted areas.

The Unforgiven and Brokeback Mountain are presented to the audience in different ways as The Unforgiven focuses on the early 1900’s however Brokeback Mountain depicts the social issues of homophobia and gay relationships rather than fighting back against the law with props such as guns and horses. The key codes and conventions change over time and decades.