SLAP

 DIRECTED BY NICK ROWLAND

'Slap' is a coming of age film about Connor, a teenager grappling with conflicting sides of his personality. It deals with his relationships with his friends, his own self identity, and also confronts the perceived ideals of masculinity.

It is this juxtaposition between Connor's two worlds that defines the film.

Often a handheld camera is used, and the shakiness caused by this is used to represent both Connor's emotional fragility, and the violence of boxing. In the boxing scenes, the camera moves quickly, and the shakiness is therefore suggestive of the fast movements of the sport, as well as having to move practically to avoid being punched. In contrast, when Connor is alone in his room, the lack of stability of the camera reflects Connor's lack of stability. He isn't confident in himself, and is desperately trying to keep part of himself hidden.

This juxtaposition is also seen in Connors room. He has not only boxing advertisements and trophies, but also posters of women in their underwear. There is also a scene where he is alone in his room, and is shown at first practicing boxing, punching the camera, and then dancing. In this way, it is only when he is alone that we are able to see these two aspects of his personality at once.

It is also interesting to note that Connor is often framed in his mirror when in his room or applying make up. This is perhaps a subversion of the common idea of a mirror showing the reflection of a person, or the version of themselves they are trying to be (take Judy in 'Vertigo' for example) as in 'Slap', the shots of Connor in the mirror are his real self.