The Wasp By Andrea Arnold

This short film's style is heavily influenced by social realism. It influences it's core themes and underlying messages. 

The short is set in a council estate; a setting that most people are either familiar with or at least aware of it's attributes. Throughout the film it is evident that the protagonist, Zoe, is struggling with money and raising four kids alone. She is framed through a p.o.v shot from her daughter counting her coins. This invites the audience to see the situation from the children eyes which makes it that much more pitiable. She gives the kids a bag of sugar to "share out". This line of dialogue is repeated again at the pub when the kids are asked to "share out" two bags of crisps. 

There is lots of camera movement and hand held shots throughout the short- specifically the fight scene. It's very shaky and intense which puts the audience in Zoe's shoes. We feel claustrophobic and there is not a second to breath. It's important that the audience experiences this to sympathise with Zoe.

In terms of alignment and allegiance it's not so straightforward. We are definitely aligned with her but the allegiance aspect is not so straightforward. The first time we meet out protagonist she is barefoot with wild and unbrushed hair, carrying her half naked baby - she most likely doesn't have enough clothes for him and she definitely doesn't have enough money to purchase some- and finally on her way to indulge in a fight with another woman because of drama within the estate concerning her children. 

It's not a very good first impression but as the movie progresses it becomes clear that although she might be naive and a bit vacuous, she does care for her children the best she can and ultimately she does love them. At the beginning she fights this woman to stand up for her children. At the pub we are shown a genuine and sincere moment when she dances with the eldest girl. She has character and she is making the best of her situation. Personally i find her deeply flawed but ultimately likeable and sympathetic.

And finally when it really comes down to it she puts her children before her date. The climax of the movie where a wasp flies into the babies mouth, as soon as she hears the girls scream she runs out to them, blowing her "i'm just babysitting" cover. Additionally, although she is an extremely flawed character, she is likeable. Her methods may be questionable but she stands up for her kids, she's vivacious and strong. Her and her situation represent the core elements of social realism- exploring the conditions of the working class and critiquing the class structure and hierarchy leading to these conditions. I think for this to be explored and for the message to be adequately projected her character must be flawed yet sympathetic.

The narrative resolution is ambiguous. When her date realises the kids are in fact hers, he says nothing. But the camera lingering on his face through a mid-shot, looking down at the family sharing an emotional moment says a thousand words. Yet they are interpretable. Is he in awe of their bond and realises he wants to be a part of it? Does he feel sorry for her but ultimately it is a dealbreaker? these questions are left unanswered as he drives her and the kids home. This can be taken as a glimmer of hope for Zoe and her kids, or maybe a sign that she will return home, back to her normal life...