Short film analysis 1 - Two & Two - Jacob Knowles

Two & Two Short Film Analysis

 Two & Two, Babak Anvari, September 17th 2011

Two & Two is set in a school which is governed by a communist/authoritarian regime. A seemingly normal day is completely turned around when all of the, identically uniformed, male pupils are told that something they had always been taught as fact is now false. When certain students speak up against the teacher, what may have seemed to be a joke becomes very real as each of the students are forced to question how hard they are willing to fight for their beliefs. The idea that 2 + 2 = 5 being established through force may seem ridiculous, but the film is an allegory for dictatorship and tyranny. 

Narrative in Two & Two:

One of the key narrative theories is Todorov's Narrative Theory. Todorov's theory applies to this film differently to how it does other films as there are multiple disruptions. The film starts in an equilibrium with all of the school children talking together in the classroom, they then very quickly go silent and stand to attention when their teacher walks into the room. The first major disruption comes when the teacher starts telling the children that two plus two is equal to five, with all of the children being confused but agreeing with the teacher in order to not cause trouble. The second major disruption comes when one of the children speaks up against the teacher, saying that two plus two infact equals four. The student argues with the teacher and continues to hold his ground with the tension constantly building, higher students which represent high officers in the film then enter the room to deal with the child and to give him one last chance. Each of the higher students is 'holding' a 'gun' which isn't really there, the child still disagrees with the teacher and is then shot. The child being shot is the resolution phase of Todorov's narrative theory, showing the other children in the class power and forcing them to adopt the new regime. The 'two plus two is equal to five' disruption then subsequently become the new equilibrium. 

The narrative in this short film is circular, this is because the film begins with the teacher telling the children that 'two plus two is equal to five' and ends with the same. There is also a shot of the teacher standing in the middle of the class at both the beginning and end of the film. The film uses restricted narration.

Audience in Two & Two:

The audience that Two & Two is targetting is mainly an adult/late teen audience. The reason for this is that the film is making a heavy political statement, the film representing a strict authoritarian regime and how it would apply if it was set in a classroom. I think that this message is going to be most well understood by people that already have some knowledge on the subject, which may be limited to an older audience. The film very well represents how people gain power through intimidation, the children may represent the general public and the teacher may represent a dictator or a figurehead for an authoritarian society.

Although I think that this film is primarily aimed at an older audience, I think that the film sends a message that's important for everyone to hear. The film twists the audiences expectations when the teacher introduces the concept that 'two plus two is equal to five', the audience will recognise that this is false and be surprised that it is being taught in the class. The primary twist of the story is where the child is shot with the invisible guns, with the concept of 'two plus two is equal to five' already being ridiculous, the fact that lethal action would be taken is shocking.

Genre in Two & Two:

Two & Two fits into the genre of drama as the events are shocking and it keeps the viewer on edge, however it doesn't have many of the components of thriller or horror. The whole film takes place in a very plain room with grey walls and floor, the only significant features being a map on the wall, a window on the opposite wall, and a blackboard on the far wall. There is also a desk at the front of the room. The children in the film are all male, with no female characters. All of the children wear an identical uniform with plain white shirts, with plain white trousers, although this is not an abnormal style for a uniform the dirty grey setting emphasizes that they are strict on the children but don't put in the effort themselves. The teacher is wearing a suit, this establishes authority over the child characters as they are wearing more simple, plain clothes. The higher students, which represent guards or high officers are wearing red arm bands which are very similar to the ones which nazi guards wore during the nazi reign. This is likely what the director was trying to represent.