Scum (1979) is a British film that can be likened to a criminology student's theses about the system of correction for young, male offenders in Britain. Accordingly it illustrates the flaws of the system without being able to offer solutions. This is a potential cause of frustration to the viewer.
Like the inmates of Scum the viewer is asked to submit to director Clarke's interpretation of the British Criminal Justice system as fact. Indeed Scum illustrates to the astute viewer that borstal and its current substitutes are merely a part of a system all of society is subjected to, albeit a more direct, hasher reality for those who buck it.
However, the harsh reality conveyed by Scum is one in which brutality is contextualised. One example is the rape scene of a gang of adolescent boys raping an isolated lad. By comparison women working in the sex industry are viewed in a context of glamour, as for example, those portrayed in so called 'lad mags'. As such it is the portrayal and context of violence which asserts its brutality as opposed to the actual act. This is not to undermine the reality of violent acts.
As to the acting, all credit to the cast, and in particularly that of Ray Winstone for a virtually flawless performance. Credit also goes to director Alan Clarke with his variation on 'kitchen sink' style direction ala, Milke Leigh (Vera Drake -2004), Danny Boyle, (Slumdog Millinaire - 2008) and Tony Richardson (A Taste of Honey - 1961) et al.
The only misgiving pertaining to Scum is the middle class, philanthropic slant on brutality in the form of Victorian patronage via a predominantly bourgeoisie film industry full of appeasement via supposed good intentions.
Like the inmates of Scum the viewer is asked to submit to director Clarke's interpretation of the British Criminal Justice system as fact. Indeed Scum illustrates to the astute viewer that borstal and its current substitutes are merely a part of a system all of society is subjected to, albeit a more direct, hasher reality for those who buck it.
However, the harsh reality conveyed by Scum is one in which brutality is contextualised. One example is the rape scene of a gang of adolescent boys raping an isolated lad. By comparison women working in the sex industry are viewed in a context of glamour, as for example, those portrayed in so called 'lad mags'. As such it is the portrayal and context of violence which asserts its brutality as opposed to the actual act. This is not to undermine the reality of violent acts.
As to the acting, all credit to the cast, and in particularly that of Ray Winstone for a virtually flawless performance. Credit also goes to director Alan Clarke with his variation on 'kitchen sink' style direction ala, Milke Leigh (Vera Drake -2004), Danny Boyle, (Slumdog Millinaire - 2008) and Tony Richardson (A Taste of Honey - 1961) et al.
The only misgiving pertaining to Scum is the middle class, philanthropic slant on brutality in the form of Victorian patronage via a predominantly bourgeoisie film industry full of appeasement via supposed good intentions.