My Brother The Devil is a 2012 feature film written and directed by Sally Hosaini. It is of the social realism genre but also includes many elements of a ‘coming of age’ film. There are many important themes touched upon within the film including family, crime and violence, and trust and betrayal, as well as a great deal of tension.
These themes are portrayed successfully through the use of microfeature such as mise en scene and performance in order to creating meaning within the film and put that across to the audience.
The theme of living with crime, and social class, along with the genre of social realism are shown by not only the reappearance of guns, cigarettes, money alcohol and knives, all of which also reflect upon their social class and gang culture, but also by the contrast between the their house to Sayyid’s flat suggests the difference in their lifestyles and that Sayyid was mature enough to move on from the thug life. This could be foreshadowing Rash's change in the future, for as soon as he begins photographing, he begins to change his life.
Furthermore, the reappearance of the tree and climbing frame as a beautiful, peaceful, tranquil place of escapism. This in a way, could be juxtaposed with in the violence, drug dealing and crime of the local area. The plastic covering which has been purposely left on the couch suggests that they didn't have enough money to clean it if it were to get dirty. This too suggests their social class.
Additionally, the high amount of swearing and the repetition of words such as ‘cuz’, ‘bruv’, ‘food’, ‘Road’ etc. suggests their social class and colloquial dialect. Likewise, the sound of police sirens and cars screeching suggests urgency and ties in with the topic of living with crime. Furthermore, the line “Why you reading a book?” suggests the boys social class and their lack of education. Similarly, Vanessa crying after Izzi’s death and Rash not crying shows that he is used to death in his culture. This too, links in with the living with crime genre.
This also links to the change in costume from their everyday life to the job interview. Likewise, the change in setting is also notable as as well as their clothing, the setting of the job interview is very bleak, black and white and monochrome. This suggests the contrast between their chaotic life and the reality of the normal working world.
The use of costume is really important within this film, some examples of why include; Mo wearing pink and bright colors which symbolise his innocence and naivety in comparison to the thugs who wear mostly dark colours, predominantly black. Likewise, Aisha wears bright headscarves symbolising the good and happy in mo’s life whereas in contrast to this, the black clothing at Izzi’s funeral.
A secondary theme of struggle is also shown through micro featural elements such as the close up on his feet which connotes all the struggle he went through without having to explain it to them. This theme could also be supported by the themes of death and danger which is shown during the fight scene sound of gunshot is her which is associated with death. Likewise, when Rash places a bullet in the sink, this suggests danger and foreshadows death.
I would also note some interesting similarities between the film and another social realism film set in the UK, ‘Fish Tank’ in terms of some of the micro features used throughout. For example, the dark/yellowish lighting during the sex scene just like in fish tank. Likewise, the sound of the dog barking during the fight also builds tension similar to ‘Fish Tank.’
It is interesting to note that the rap lyrics fit the narrative well ‘they hatin cuz i'm elevating’ and then stops suddenly when the spark plug goes out which is effective as it comes as a shock to the audience. It is also used in the credits too so could be seen as the movie ‘soundtrack’.
The drastic change in behavior when he is with Sayyid laughing and dancing, to when he is on the phone swearing etc. This suggests that he is trying to build a false pretense in front of his thug friends that is true self can only be revealed in front of Sayyid. Puts on an mask/protective shell to hide his emotional, sensitive side.
We can tell from Rash’s and Mo’s performance that the motivation for Rash’s character is Izzi, just like Aisha is the motivation for Mo’s character. Performance is used effectively throughout this whole film in fact, another example being during the emotional scene between Mo and Rash when Mo says “I'd rather have a brother who is a bomber, than a homo.” You make me sick.” “I wish you would never my brother.”
Performance is also used effectively during the scene where Rash talks about wanting to do something different as the setting changes from council flats to the beautiful, blue River Thames with Sayyid again, reinforcing the change in behavior depending on who he was with. This is also effective in evoking emotion in the audience.
Additionally, character emotion is shown through performance and other micro features for example when Mo lies because he is in denial about his brother’s sexuality and the use of a close up during Izzi’s death scene is effective in showing the emotion on Mo's face. Performance is also key in the scene where Rash stands over Sayyid intimidatingly trying to show authority and pretend to be secure about his sexuality.
Tension is often shown by the use of dramatic irony in this film for example, the use of a from above shot so we can see that Mo is awake on the top bunk but Rash and Vanessa on can’t fromt he bottom bunk, I believe this is very effective. Dramatic irony is used again when we as the audience can see the gun in his hand but I can’t. This is effective in building tension.
Furthermore, Tense, scary, non diegetic music when Rash is meant to be killing demon and the use of a long shot down the corridor symbolising the trap that he now finds himself in. Feels confined, isolated are both very effective in building a feeling of tension within the film. In addition to this, tension is built by the broken mirror which symbolises seven years bad luck. This foreshadows the bad events that are to come. Likewise, the closeup of Rash's face after Izzi’s death is the same as when he is in the shower after Sayyid kisses him, this makes the audience feel like something bad is soon going to happen.
In addition to this, the repeated non diegetic calming mood music when Mo is alone builds and dynamics to build tension and suggest danger when he is holding the knife. This deathly atmosphere is also represented by the use of a long shot of the block of flats repeated throughout the film, but after Izzi's death the seem even more bleak and isolated as after Izzi's death that is what they are.
Lastly I would say that the shot which shows parents walking away. This fits in with the coming of age genre by suggesting that Rash is going to have to start living independently and fending for himself now and with all that come the responsibilities of the adult world. And finally, the bright, sunny, high key lighting at the end of the film symbolises hope and happiness to come for the two brothers’ futures and their ever growing strength of their relationships with each other.
