Shocking Cinema - Experience

How is the experience of shock created

in your chosen extract

by Michael O'Neill

I will be discussing the 'Forced Sedation' scene in the 2008 film 'Changeling' starring Angelina Jolie. The scene is shocking because of the representation of women, the scene also offers a clear expose of the patriarcal society and the power that men had over women. The scene begins by doing just this as Angelina Jolie's character 'Christine Collins' is being deemed "hysterical" by a male doctor for refusing to sign the papers to cover up her missing sons case she is then taken away by a male nurse to be sedated. The male doctor is used to represent the views at the time and Angelina is used to show the lack of rights that women had, there are clear differences in the two in terms of costume: the doctor is dressed smartly and resembles that of a stereotypical male at the time, Christine on the other hand is dressed in a tattered hospital gown and has been directed to appear scared. The doctors lines are said quick and firm whilst Angelina's are shouted but not acknowledged: this is to show the struggle that women went through and how men were "born" with a voice whilst women had to fight and "earn" their voice.

The scene also shows the clear abuse of mental health patients in the 1920s and comments on the usage of controversial methods such as electroshock therapy: a medical device still practiced today often to "cure" depression.