SOCIAL CLASS AND REGIONAL IDENTITY GAPS IN LOW-BUDGET INDEPENDENT CINEMA

Abstract

Independent film has come with a reputation for its creativity, realism and its depiction of stories that are not found in mainstream commercial films. The low-budget genre, however, is both relatively new and original in many ways and can be utilized to achieve representation gaps and inequities of class and region. The independent film's depiction of working class communities, rural areas, minority territories and socially dislocated communities is examined in this paper. It queries whether the low cost film offers a true representation of marginalised groups, or it is a narrow, stereotyped or urban based story. It shows that an independent moving maker's thematic choices can revolve around poverty, migration, unemployment, cultural identity and regional conflict, which may be shaped by financial constraints, market factors, and the process of festivalization, but that this can affect the quality and depth of the portrayals. According to the paper, social class and regional identity are not only part of the backstory of independent film but also they are important factors in character, conflict and audience interpretation. The research sheds light on the existing issues and concerns regarding inclusivity, cultural diversity and social justice in the modern film-making and highlights the gaps which are to be explored further. The findings suggest that independent cinema has tremendous potential to challenge dominant representations, but this potential cannot be realized if film-makers are not more critical and attentive to class diversity, region and community-based representations and stories.