How is Anna Karenina packaged to appeal
to a range of audiences and build upon past success?
“Anna Karenina” is a literary based
historical period drama set in late nineteenth century Russia. Directed by Joe
Wright and produced by working title the film is packaged to appeal to a range
of audiences. Working title uses stars (a class/ well known actors) to expand
the audience for example British actor Aaron Taylor Johnson previously seen in “Angus
Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging” and “Nowhere Boy”. Aaron Johnson is a good choice in this type
of film as it widens the audience as he has a wide fan base and appeals to a
younger (usually female) audience. British actor Keira Knightly also stars in
the film who tends to play in a range of films from high concept blockbusters (“Pirates
of the Caribbean”) to literary and historical romantic dramas just like “Anna
Karenina” and she has previously worked with working title staring in similar
film before such as “Pride and Prejudice” and “Atonement”. Kiera Knightly is a
good choice as she has a fan base behind her and it builds upon the previous successes
of her previous working title films. Knightly is also suiting to the role as
she suits rich characters and has an international face in film with experience
in period drama.
Jude Law is the final star previously seen in
“Sherlock Holmes” and “Repo Men” etc. With Jude Law follows another fan base and
is known for his acting in other genres which widens the audience. “Anna Karenina”
appeals to the literary adaption audience with the original book being written
by Leo Tolstoy a Russian novelist who mainly wrote nineteenth century epic
novels. Tom Stoppard is a British playwright who is a establishment writer appealing
to audiences aged around 50 further expanding the audience also known for his art house style appealing to art house (cinema
city) audience. Finally the director of “Anna Karenina” Joe Wright is a good
choice for working title due to experience with working title and Kiera
Knightly with similar genres of film in the past (“Atonement” and “Pride and Prejudice”).
Working title build upon previous successes with the film by trying to widen
the target audience and by making it a cinematic experience focusing on film
making and art house style.
