In Film Studies GCSE we are currently studying District 9, a 2009 science-fiction film.
In the exam, the students have to link their film analysis to a number of theories.
One of the theorist we study is Vladimir Propp whose work in the morphology of the folktale outlines character archetypes that can still be identified in modern film and TV narrative structures.
In class we are about to apply these character archetypes to key characters in District 9 paying particular attention to the importance of their role and how they support and drive the narrative.
Here is a useful link that explores these character archetypes in detail and provides examples from other films:
Can you identify Propp's 8-character types in your favourite film or TV series?