Les Revenants - Essay Question

 What are the genre conventions of Les Revenants, how do they work, and how have they developed?

Knee Jerk response:  

Les Revenants demonstrates multiple genre conventions, it can be sorted into a variety of genres. The genre fluidity of Les Revenants allows the producers to combine and reshape conventions of multiple genres to form a single text. They have developed this through Steve Neale's theory of genre, through the process of repetition and difference.

Plan: 

• the opening is in an isolated area, which has conventions to the supernatural genre. The location of the first shot is also the dam which is a key location. By having this at the start anchors the importance of the dam. The setting looks very french - makes Les revenants very atypical, never seen a horror set in the alps as opposed to Paris.
• The mise-en-scene of the causal costume is a binary opposition of the narrative and gives a sense of normality 

• Mainly 'Orchestral' music is an empathetic sound to suit the fear of the character. Which is a convention of the supernatural genre
• The butterfly breaking out of the case can be the iconography of the narrative, dead coming back to life. The butterfly flying over a picture of Mr Costa's wife as there is a knock anchor what is about to occur. Tracking shots are slow paces (Mr costa house) moving through the house - creates tension and suspense - audience not knowing what to expect. Connects to the thriller genre- the uncertainty 
• A tracking shot of  Camille which starts as a mid-shot then pans out, into a wider high establishing shot of her walking, which alienates her. Conventions of horror genre an unknown character in an odd setting - no dialogue. The colour in this scene is blue tones and dim lighting which can be hybridity of sci-fi and horror. 

 What are the genre conventions of Les Revenants, how do they work, and how have they                                                                                        developed?                                                                        

Genre comes from a french word that means 'Type'. It is very important for both consumers and producers. Consumers use the genre to help them pick the product they wish to consume. Producers to use the genre to categorise media products. It as well helps producers target their specific audience through the code and conventions. In this essay, I shall argue that Les revenants demonstrate multiple of genres, it is genre-fluid. Through repetition, Steve Neale's theory, they are able to achieve this. In order to explore this, I will be using examples from Les Revenants. The TV first broadcasted in 2012 on Canal Plus. It's a supernatural drama program, which based on a 2004 Film which has the identical name. A later the show was aired on Channel 4 which attract an international audience. 

The establishing shot of Les Revenant, the first few minutes, displays a hybrid of genres. The mise-en-scene of the setting chosen by the producers is conventional to the horror/supernatural genre. The area is entirely isolated, the emptiness of the shot puts the audience in an unsettling mode of address. The use of the fog and the cinematography of the grey tones create an eerie aesthetic. In the shot, a key location of the narrative, the dam, is included which reinforces the importance of it. As the audience will later see it in another scene, it allows them to be familiar with it. The producers combine this with the french genre, as the setting is hugely 'french'. Equally, it makes Les Revenant atypical, as you rarely see a horror set at the Alps. Opposed to Paris, which is more common. The difference in genre allows the text to be interpreted polysemically by the spectators. By biding different conventions together, it creates a new unique text. Thus making it genre-fluid this can help the producers distribute the product better.  The diversity of the genre allows the text to be interpreted polysemically by the spectators. The scene is extremely versatile, therefore attracts a higher mass of audience. Arguably the 'atypical-ness' of the product exclusively appeals to the niche viewers. 

Similarly, when Camille is awakened, another hybridity of genres is illustrated. The scene includes blue tones as well as dim lighting, a hybrid of both sci-fi and horror genre. The mid-shot of Camille walking after the ironic accident is a hermeneutic code. As the audience are left in the dark, due to no dialogue or narration. It is further emphasised through Camille facial expression and the hasty-ness of her action. This positions the audience in an uncomfortable situation, as they are not aware of what is happening. The protagonist in an odd location is a common convention of horror. Moreover, the tracking shot of Camille walking then develops into a wide high angle shot of her, alienates her. This could be interpreted as a symbolic code of her death separating her from her family. Plus showing more recognisable conventions of the horror genre. The mysterious tone of the scene is more developed through the convention of the supernatural genre. The mise-en-scene of Camille's casual costume is a binary opposition of the narrative, thus gives a sense of normality. Hence confusing the audience furthermore. As Steve Neale states through the stages of repeating the same conventions and mixing them to create the difference. It allows the genre to evolve with each new addition becoming hybrids with other genres. Having these difference and combining in the conventions of a media product them enables the audience to enjoy the outcome. As stretching the genre in a new direction shifts their expectations. 

Lastly, the final example where a selection of genres was shown. The second scene in Mr Costa's house. It begins with panning into a case full of butterflies, a butterfly breaks the glass and sets free. Which displays the iconography of the narrative, the dead coming to life. This is followed by a hermeneutic code that is shown through a tracking shot of the butterfly. The suspense is created as the butterfly roams around at a slow pace, the audience isn't sure of what to expect. The uncertainty of the situation is a perfect example of the thriller genre. As soon as the butterfly passes a photo of  Mr Costa's wife. There is a knock on the door which anchors her arrival, it can be argued that this is a convention of the drama genre. The audience isn't informed who is at the door the suspense leaves them on a cliff hanger. Additionally, the relationship between Mr Costa and his wife is another conventions as the audience may be intrigued by it. The orchestral music that is played during this develops the tension. The music is unnerving, it is a hybrid of both supernatural; drama genre, it subconsciously informs the audience something is about to occur. Likewise, the increase in volume alerts the audience to expect the worst. Reshaping the genre conventions and adding them together to make one single text. Lets the producers explore various styles and construct new ideas. By having many different genres within one media product, it engages more audience. Also making the text less 'predictable'. Combining multiple genres forms recognition of familiar elements in an unfamiliar manner.

To conclude, Les Revenant include genre conventions from the supernatural genre, thriller genre, the horror genre, drama genre and more. They work together to create a deeper meaning. Having these layers to the text creates a more complex and unique product. As well as making the programme more engaging and refreshing for the audience.