Analysis of Gender and death of Max from Hollyoaks death.

How are Gender and Death presented at the death of Max Cunningham during an episode of Hollyoaks.

There are many techniques used within the scene of Max’s death which present the different aspects of gender and death and how they are viewed. This is down to Micro and Macro analysis and how it is the smaller details which make up the picture as a whole.

Gender representation is shown in the close relationship between Tom, Max and OB. Just before Max is about to die they all gather around his body. Max tells OB he loves him and OB responds to how he shouldn’t be so ‘gay’. This homophobic attitude is down to the fact that these characters are trying to come across as the traditional strong male, through having a tough exterior and hiding their true emotions. However it is their positioning that lets the audience realise their true emotions and close relationship as they are all gathered very close to Max, and even though OB responds in a brave manner trying to appear brave he is actually crying when Max tells him this as the camera transition uses static shot between their two faces which intensifies how fast Max is dying creating a deeper emotion between the two characters as well as the audience.

There is also the scene before Tom is hit by the car and the camera shows a medium close-up of the panic on Max’s face and he runs to save him. This hero quality in Max shows his love towards his brother and allows the scene to be viewed in a different perspective of a tragedy, creating sympathy to those who witnessed the event and the audience watching it.
There are no females at the death of Max until he has actually died. This shows the scene to be very male orientated and manages to create more emotion that way as it is often a female who will cry rather than a male. This different type of cast setting for a scene as emotive as this makes it seem all the more realistic as we witness the loss of a true friend to OB and a brother to Tom as well as see the response of Niall who caused the crash which wouldn’t normally be focused on.

Niall character within this scene shows the dark aspect the situation. Having him dressed in black represents him as a villain and makes his reactions appear false. The mise-en scene of his car being grey and his costume makes him appear negative and evil. He is also shown coughing as he gets out of his car after he has hit Max, then Max also coughs. This can be pursued as Niall inflicting this death upon Max.

When the female finally comes into the scene she is very stereotyped, dressed in a pink over the top dress she makes the event appear a tragic fairytale. This scene is very gender biased towards females and Steph is witnessed as a vulnerable female with a lot of emotion, but all adds to the emotive effect as we see her reaction so intense and dramatic it makes the viewing hard to watch.

Death is presented positively within this scene through use of lighting and sound. Just before Max is about to die the music is very heavy with lots of use of strings to build up the tension. A heartbeat monitor can be heard in the background letting the viewer know that someone’s life is in jeopardy at this moment. This moment is also felt in the car revving at the point before it hits Max emphasising his danger and last moments of life.

Just as Max is hit by the car there’s a close up of the Max Mission toy hitting its head on the curb. This is a representation of Max being hit by the car as there is never an actual shot of this which makes the death seem less gory. When Max is about to die there is use of heavy wounds or him really suffering which makes his death seem more emotional as rather than focusing on the special effects on a massive wound the scene can focus more on the reactions of his friends and family around him. The music throughout this scene is classical which dramatises the events making it appear much more serious. As Steph arrives, the music is much more ambient making Max’s death feel more romanticised due to Stephs costume and the situation of the death occurring on their wedding day. At the last moments the camera pans into the trees above giving the feeling of Max’s spirit going into heaven. This allows a release within the audience as the bright lighting emphasising the green of the trees represents a positive end to Max’s character.