Bedlam deconstruction

Representation of Mental Health

In the opening of Bedlam, mental health is represented through the use of conventions codes and mise-en-scene.

• The use of dark lighting throughout the opening dampens the mood and highlights depression. The long shot of the sky shows that the sky is very cloudy, making the atmosphere more depressing and sad, suggesting that there is a case of mental illness which is not something to be joyous about.
• We also see empty/abandoned rooms throughout the opening which are shown through longshots. In the rooms there may be a character sitting on a bed as if the location is an asylum. This represents mental health as empty/derelict locations are common conventions as it adds to the horror element which can be linked with mental health because mental health is a sub genre of horror.
• To highlight mental health a mirror has also been used to show the characters face but as the woman turns away the face remains looking at her. This suggests that she is a victim and is suffering from mental health herself as she is causing confusion and enigmas.
• We also see a doll which has clearly been used as her eyes are blacked out and she is dirty. This can add to the horror genre and relate to mental health because mental health is cross linked with horror and possession/ suggesting supernatural occurrences and stress which is a form of mental illness.