A Field In England: the appeal of arthouse film

What are some of the suggested audience pleasures for arthouse film?
The art cinema is less concerned with action than reaction; it is a cinema of psychological effects in search of their causes. Arthouse film is strongly narrative driven and character driven where as Hollywood film is purely entertainment. Although some arthouse films are foreign, Bourdieu suggested that having cultural competences to read difficult texts gives the individual cultural capital.

Why do some audiences struggle with arthouse film? Refer to some media theory here (there are some important media theories discussed in the article itself).
Arthouse film is more artistic rather commercial in character, which makes it less appealing to mainstream audiences. Due to some films being foreign, the use of subtitles can be an irritant to some viewers, maybe some of the working class audiences. David Bordwell suggested that 'the art cinema is less concerned with action than reaction; it is a cinema of psychological effects in search of their causes'. So the producers of art cinema are not in the business of making it easy for audiences to read the film.


To what extent is arthouse film only for the middle classes and older audiences? Why might this be the case?
According to Bourdieu, having such ‘cultural competences’ to read difficult texts gave the individual cultural capital and is one of the ways in which social class is emphasised. Therefore, because arthouse film is considered so highbrow and film that has a deeper contextual meaning, which people with cultural capital can understand, it appeals to middle class audiences more. In terms of the older audiences, you could say that because arthouse film is usually documentaries or films that are considered a piece of 'art' or visually appealing, it suits their interests more than someone from a younger generation.  


What type of audience would A Field In England appeal to?
I think that it is targeted at the older generation due to the setting of the 17th century and the use of the black and white filming. In terms of demographics it would appeal to more of a middle class, ABC1 audience. However, you could argue that it could appeal to the younger generation as there is use of drugs, which is stereotypically linked with the younger generation nowadays.