Film Opening: Character Profiles

Character Profiles

Protagonist

The genre of our practical task is a thriller. While looking into the conventions of thriller movies and the characters featured, I found that the central protagonists were predominately male. I didn't want to conform with this convention as I wanted to represent a female protagonist as strong and not the stereotype of the 'one in need of aid'. The female protagonist will be the heroine and will not need saving. Unlike in the thrillers 'Taken' and 'Gone Girl' and so many others where women have become the victims.

The gender of the character chosen, can be considered quite controversial. The main character for our movie opening is Jesus Christ. However, in this alternative representation, they are a female. Despite the global biblical depiction of Jesus being male, which he most likely was.

Our alternative representation of Jesus is a white female named Christa. Personally, if I were to redo the practical task but with the ability to have all the resources needed, I would have chosen to have Christa be played by a black woman. Despite Jesus being born is Jerusalem and most likely being black, the westernised white depiction of him is the one that has been globalised.

Within the practical task, there are two portrayals of Christa. One is from a previous time but in the same place, where Christa is younger. The second is Christa in the present where Christa is slightly older. Christa is portrayed as a young woman. The age of the protagonist is also important, much like the gender. Christa is a smart wise young woman and this goes against the stereotype that older individuals are wiser.

Antagonist

Our potentially controversial antagonist is the Christian God. This idea is replicated in the apocalyptic supernatural movie 'Legion'. Within the movie opening, a depiction of God isn't shown. This conforms to the thriller convention of not revealing the antagonists identity/appearance early on in the movie. It is left as a surprise to the audience.

Ella and I were unsure as to whether we would actually include a human form of God within our movie or his presence would be acknowledged by the crippling natural disasters he would force upon the world. Either way his masked appearance would have added to the thriller suspense and leave the audience curious.