Related Texts: Films
If you choose a film, make sure you can summarise the plot in one sentence. If you can’t do this, pick a shorter text (eg one episode of a TV programme), otherwise you’ll end up telling the story instead of analysing the language features – that doesn’t get you many marks!
The films with annotations are in the school library. Additional films are listed below.
· Alvidsen, John G. The Power of One. A powerful portrayal of racism in apartheid South Africa, this film depicts a young boy’s attempt top change the world. Pay close attention to the way you are constructed to view the Africaans and Zulu groups, including the use of camera angles, symbolism and A useful review can be found at http://www.cinema.com/articles/799/power-of-one-the-movie-review.phtml and there is a study guide in the belonging folder.
· Barmak, Siddikq. Osama. Under the Taliban a young girl disguises herself as a boy to support her family and is drafted into the army where her life depends on her ability to belong to a man’s world. Focus on the use of colour and setting to symbolise the harsh reality of life in pre-invasion Afghanistan, where women were alienated to the point of death. Useful reviews can be found at http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2004/osama.php or http://qafilm.qataracademy.wikispaces.net/message/view/home/7184581 .
· Bernstein, Leonard and Sondheim, Steven. West Side Story This musical is an American version of Romeo and Juliet. If you are using this film make sure you include the song “Somewhere” in your analysis (see below in Songs). This film won awards for choreography - if you’re into dance, you could also analyse the way the choreography portrays issues of belonging and alienation.
· Branagh, Kenneth. Much Ado About Nothing. While Hero and Claudio are courting, they tell prickly personalities Benedick and Beatrice into believing they are in love with each other – with hilarious results. This adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy uses slow long pans of the outdoor settings to create a joyful, liberated atmosphere, plus close-ups and quick editing to focus our attention on Beatrice and Benedick’s witty repartee. An excellent review which discusses the way the stage version has influenced the film version can be found at http://www.suite101.com/content/branaghs-1992-film-adaptation-of-much-ado-about-nothinga-review-a282607 .
· Bridges, Jeff. Stick It. Once an Olympic gymnast, ??? is taken to court for delinquent behaviour and forced by a judge to return to elite gymnastics training. After refusing to join the squad she realises she has alot of real-world experience to offer. Focus on her changing attitude to the other team members and the way this is demonstrated through the camera angles, soundtrack and choreographed gymnastic performances.
· Burton, Tim. Edward Scissorhands. Edward is a Frankenstein’s monster left with scissors for hands after the ‘doctor’ dies. Rescued by an Avon lady, he finds it impossible to conform to middle class suburbia. Focus on the allegorical nature of the film as revealed through setting and lighting, symbolism and odd juxtapositions between the fairy-tale and gothic elements. The commentary is excellent. Three quick scene analyses can be found at http://home.pacific.net.au/~greg.hub/edward.html (click the links for other summaries of symbolism).
· Caro, Niki. Whale Rider. A young Maori girl invokes the spirit of her ancestors, despite the sexism of her community. Think about how she uses her cultural traditions to challenge her community and compare the ways different techniques like the soundtrack, the voice-over wide panoramic shots of the seascape and intimate point of view shots position the hero in her community. Listen to the extras to find out more about what the director intended. The review at http://filmforthesoul.blogspot.com/2009/06/year-2002-whale-rider-niki-caro.html is quite negative but shows you how to discuss techniques.
· Chadha, Gurinder. Bride and Prejudice. This Bollywood-style adaptation of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice uses lavish cinematography and to address the issues of interracial (Indian and Anglo) marriages. If you write about this film, you’ll need to discuss it’s transformation of the novel (a good choice if you’re doing the novel in Advanced English: see http://www.filmintuition.com/Pride_Prejudice.html and http://frame.the-frame.com/2007/08/17/from-austen-to-bollywood-adapting-tradition-in-gurinder-chadas-bride-and-prejudice/ ) as well as the actual film techniques (esp the Bollywood musical elements). A study guide can be found in the belonging folder.
· Chadha, Gurinder. Bend It Like Beckham. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Jess belongs to an Indian family and Anglo soccer team. Belonging to both creates as many problems for her as her romance with her coach (Joe), her friendship with Jules and her gay friend Tony. Everything about this film relates to belonging, the costumes, settings, cinematography, dialogue and sound track. See Ms Carmyn for a study guide if you didn’t study it in class.
· Clavell, James. To Sir with Love. This 1960s classic tell the story of Mark Thackeray trained as an engineer but his race means the only job he can find is an inner city high school where he inspires a disengaged class. Camera angles and music are important in establishing his authority and their mutual respect. Don’t forget to find some good quotes about racism in both the teacher’s and the students’ lives. An analysis from the point of view of real-life teaching can be found at http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=94218.
· Coppola, Sophia. Marie Antoinette. An interpretation of the frequently vilified historical figure of Marie Antoinette, focusing on her transformation from a family-oriented Austrian princess into a materialistic Queen setting trends in for the French court. Pay particular attention to the way the soundtrack, costumes and setting are used to reflect Marie’s transformation from a homesick child to trend-setting adult and final alienation from her populace. You may also like to consider why the film ends before the historical moment for which she is so famous. Use the commentaries to find out the composers’ intentions, but make sure you relate them to belonging. An excellent review can be found at http://www.dvdinmypants.com/reviews/H-N/marie_antoinette.php
· Di Leo, Mario. Babylon 5. Episode 37 “And Now For a Word”. This sci-fi series approaches belonging in many different ways a various speicies of aliens try to live together on a space station. You could use almost any episode, especially those examining the relationship between Narn and Centuri cultures. Episode 37 “And Now For a Word” examines the political role of the media in creating alienation/belonging for the main characters. Look particularly at the cinematography and the way the scenes are cut together, as well as the patterns of dialogue that reveal different aspects of belong for the human and alien populations.
· Fletcher, Anne. Step Up. Hip Hop and Ballet don’t belong together till Tyer is punished for vandalism by working as a cleaner at a ballet school. Here he meets and becomes the partner of a star dancer and you can guess the rest. The cliché is saved by the hip soundtrack and some fabulous choreography which brings opposing dance forms together, but don’t ignore the difference in register and vocabulary between the characters or forget to find some good quotes to back up your discussion of the challenges Tyler faces (including losing his mates) in his attempt to belong. The library also has Step Up 2* which portrays similar themes but with the entire focus on Hip Hop.
· Herman, Mark. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. A chilling portrayal of the power of society to define belonging, this film depicts the holocaust from the point of view of a young German boy who develops a friendship with a Jewish boy the other side of a barbed wire fence (Auschwitz). Discuss the way the soundtrack (detailed analysis available at http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/boy_striped.html), lighting and camera angles frame the innocence of the protagonists. http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=50113 has an interview with the director and http://www.scribd.com/doc/17366679/Boy-in-Striped-Pyjamas-film-viewing-worksheets has a viewing guide.
· Hogan, P.J. Muriel’s Wedding. This Australian film is a (sometimes quite black) comedy about Muriel’s attempt to live her dream of the perfect wedding. Along the way she confronts with cancer, suicide and the question of where she really belongs. Focus on the ways lighting, music and costumes both reflect her dream world and anchor her in reality. An unusual interpretation can be found at http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/feature/13 .
· Hughs, John. The Breakfast Club. Five students, the princess, the jock, the nerd, the rebel and the dag, are trapped together on a Saturday detention. Analyse the way the students turn on each other then eventually develop a sense of belonging through their shared experiences. Camera angles (esp. point of view shots) and the sound track are as important as the dialogue in establishing the changing relationships. The script can be found as http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/breakfast_club.html
· Kleiser, Randal. Grease. The original makeover flick. When naive Australian Sandy discovers her “summer love” is at her new US school, she sets out to renew their relationship. This involves hanging with the cool crowd and developing a whole new attitude. Choose 2-3 key scenes and analyse the song lyrics as well as the film techniques (esp. costume) used to create caricatures of male and female behaviour. A study guide focusing on the historical context is in the belonging folder.
· Little Mosque on the Prairie (coming soon). View (or order from) website here: http://www.cbc.ca/littlemosque/cast.php . This is a sitcom about Christians and Muslims living together in a Canadian country town. Check out the character and storylines on the website or check an interview with the writer (which could also be a related text) here: http://www.altmuslim.com/a/a/a/comedy_has_to_come_from_a_good_place/ .
· Moore, Nick. Wild Child. When ???’s father sends wild American teenager, WHO, to a strict English boarding school, she enlists the help of the students in hope of being expelled. Along the way she discovers some true friends who teach her that belonging is not just about conformity. Pay particular attention to the use of setting/lighting/colour, costume and soundtrack and make sure you write down some of the excellent quotes about the nature of acceptance.
· Nair, Mira. Vanity Fair. In this elegant satire of C19th society, Becky Sharp claws her way up the social ladder among lavish sets and costumes, but don’t let this distract you from some very important comments about the nature of female society where noone really belongs. The extras will give you a good understanding of the historical context and the director’s intentions. Focus on the way the camera and dialogue compel you to empathise with Becky even when she’s being less than endearing. A good review can be found at http://www.aboutfilm.com/movies/v/vanityfair.htm.
· Polanski, Roman. Oliver Twist. Orphaned early in life, Oliver Twist finds a sense of belonging in Fagin’s band of pickpockets. This film adaptation uses harsh angles and monotonous textures in the setting and low-key lighting to convey the dark themes of Charles Dickens’ famous novel. Pay attention to Fagin’s need to belong as well as the boys.
· Rietman, Jason. Juno. When she discovers she is pregnant, Juno has to deal with issues “way beyond my maturity level” – including her changing physical shape, the attitudes of her peers and what it means to “flirt with” the concept of adulthood. Listen to the commentaries to find out how the composers intended you to respond to camera angles, soundtrack, settings/costumes and particular moments in the dialogue. A viewing guide can be found at http://alinihatekenblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/study-questions-for-juno-jason-reitman-2007/.
· Shyamalan, M. Knight. The Village. (coming soon. Ms Gregory has a copy.) A suspenseful film (think about the soundtrack here!) about social control set in a village cut off from the world by a forest full of monsters (but not a horror film). Focus and the way the camera makes the setting claustrophobic and the symbolism of the colour red as well as specific relationships between the characters. It has a great commentary which deconstructs the film techniques. An excellent analysis of the themes can be found at http://vhcook.com/film/filmthevill.htm. This review also responses to some of the criticisms about the film’s plot-twist. It would work well with As you like it or Skrzynecki’s poetry.
· Spielberg, Steven. ET*. The ultimate story of alien-ation! Watch as the stranded alien develops and tentative friendship with the shy young boy, NAME. Pay attention to alienating gestures, emotive camera angles and symbolism.
· Sondheim, Steven. Into the Woods. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. A musical version of the ultimate postmodern fairytale: Cinderella, Red riding hood, Rapunzel, and Jack of Beanstalk fame journey into the woods to achieve their ‘wishes.’ Unlike As you like it, the woods are dark and dangerous, but they do teach each of the characters that caring about each other is the only way to achieve happiness. Analyse the stage set and soundtrack as well as lyrics such as “You are not alone”. Recommended for advanced students only.
· Sondheim, Steven. The Barber of Fleet Street. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. A musical about a sinister collaboration between a barber and a pie maker. The connection to belonging is in the barber’s motivation (his connection to others was destroyed by the judge) for his crimes. Analyse the stage set and musical features of the songs as well as the dialogue and lyrics. don’t forget to discuss the irony of “Not while I’m around.”
· Piznarski, Mark. (2004). Veronica Mars 1.02 “Credit Where Credit's Due". [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Virtually any episode of this teen detective series deals with belonging. This episode deals with racial stereotyping and class distinctions, as well as the beginning of the bond between Veronica and the school ‘bad boy’. Focus on the way mise en scene is used to differentiate the “haves” from the “have nots” and the witty dialogue that links Veronica with the heroes of the episode. For the purposes of HSC English, ignore the season arc about Veronica’s dead best friend.
· Wier, Peter. Babe*. While his siblings are sold to an abattoir, Babe trains as a sheep-pig. Clever animatronics and point of view shots compliment some excellent quotes about belonging. Focus on the pig’s alienation from his pig family and the pressure to conform, as well as his attempt to Make sure you discuss the way the use of caricature and the way the farmyard functions as a metaphor for society in general.
· Wheedon, Joss. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Once more with feeling”. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Almost any episode could be used to discuss belonging – there’s an essay on “Normal Again” in the O-drive. Buffy is back from the dead. Heaven was so good she is now completely alienated from her former job and friends. While fulfilling all the requirements of a 1950’s musical this postmodern episode satirises itself and its genre – what other musical has a song that points out how stupid it is to be singing your feelings instead of talking about them? Begin with Buffy’s “enstrangement” in the opening song and discuss her climactic revelation that life is no more than a set of clichés and the irony that a vampire tells her the meaning of life and helps her belong. Listen to the excellent director’s commentary for techniques to discuss in your essay. Interesting essays from a film studies perspective can be found at http://slayageonline.com/essays/slayage17/Albright.htm and http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~felluga/sf/sampleAPaperMrO3d.html.
· Wier, Peter. Picnic at Hanging Rock. This Australian classic is a mystery film raising questions about the disappearance of a group of Edwardian school girls on an excursion at Hanging Rock. Focus on the conflict between the prim and proper European school life (esp costumes, props and interior settings) and the haunting, mysterious quality of the Australian landscape (esp. in cinematography and soundtrack).
· Australian Story: “That’s What friends are for”. [Ms Carmyn has a copy] This documentary follows fashion designers Sass and Bide through a traumatic time in their lives. Focus on the structure of the interviews, the interweaving of the fashion world with their private lives especially through mise en scene.
Other films:
· Home Song Stories, dir. Tony Ayers
· 1984
· The Misfits
· Heathers
· Gross Point Blank
· Mean girls
· The December Boys, dir. Rod Hardy
· As It Is In Heaven, dir. Kay Pollack
· My Life as a Dog, dir. Lasse Halstrom
· High Tide, dir. Gillian Armstrong
· The Italian, dir. Andrei Kravchuck
· Little Miss Sunshine, dir. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Look Both Ways, dir. Sarah Watt
· Somersault, dir. Cate Shortland
· In America, dir. Jim Sheridan
· Swimming Upstream, dir. Russell Mulcahy
· Grand Torino
· About a Boy
· Anastasia
· Avatar
· Babel
· Breakfast at Tiffany's
· Brokeback Mountain
· Camp Rock
· Children of Men
· District 9
· Donnie Darko
· Forrest Gump
· Girl With a Pearl Earring [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Happy Feet
· Into the Wild
· It's a Wonderful Life
· One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
· Pan's Labyrinth [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Requiem for a Dream
· Sophie Scholl - The Final Days
· The Colour Purple [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· The Pursuit of Happyness
· Transamerica
· Water [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Yolngu Boy [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Little Fish [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
The films with annotations are in the school library. Additional films are listed below.
· Alvidsen, John G. The Power of One. A powerful portrayal of racism in apartheid South Africa, this film depicts a young boy’s attempt top change the world. Pay close attention to the way you are constructed to view the Africaans and Zulu groups, including the use of camera angles, symbolism and A useful review can be found at http://www.cinema.com/articles/799/power-of-one-the-movie-review.phtml and there is a study guide in the belonging folder.
· Barmak, Siddikq. Osama. Under the Taliban a young girl disguises herself as a boy to support her family and is drafted into the army where her life depends on her ability to belong to a man’s world. Focus on the use of colour and setting to symbolise the harsh reality of life in pre-invasion Afghanistan, where women were alienated to the point of death. Useful reviews can be found at http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2004/osama.php or http://qafilm.qataracademy.wikispaces.net/message/view/home/7184581 .
· Bernstein, Leonard and Sondheim, Steven. West Side Story This musical is an American version of Romeo and Juliet. If you are using this film make sure you include the song “Somewhere” in your analysis (see below in Songs). This film won awards for choreography - if you’re into dance, you could also analyse the way the choreography portrays issues of belonging and alienation.
· Branagh, Kenneth. Much Ado About Nothing. While Hero and Claudio are courting, they tell prickly personalities Benedick and Beatrice into believing they are in love with each other – with hilarious results. This adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy uses slow long pans of the outdoor settings to create a joyful, liberated atmosphere, plus close-ups and quick editing to focus our attention on Beatrice and Benedick’s witty repartee. An excellent review which discusses the way the stage version has influenced the film version can be found at http://www.suite101.com/content/branaghs-1992-film-adaptation-of-much-ado-about-nothinga-review-a282607 .
· Bridges, Jeff. Stick It. Once an Olympic gymnast, ??? is taken to court for delinquent behaviour and forced by a judge to return to elite gymnastics training. After refusing to join the squad she realises she has alot of real-world experience to offer. Focus on her changing attitude to the other team members and the way this is demonstrated through the camera angles, soundtrack and choreographed gymnastic performances.
· Burton, Tim. Edward Scissorhands. Edward is a Frankenstein’s monster left with scissors for hands after the ‘doctor’ dies. Rescued by an Avon lady, he finds it impossible to conform to middle class suburbia. Focus on the allegorical nature of the film as revealed through setting and lighting, symbolism and odd juxtapositions between the fairy-tale and gothic elements. The commentary is excellent. Three quick scene analyses can be found at http://home.pacific.net.au/~greg.hub/edward.html (click the links for other summaries of symbolism).
· Caro, Niki. Whale Rider. A young Maori girl invokes the spirit of her ancestors, despite the sexism of her community. Think about how she uses her cultural traditions to challenge her community and compare the ways different techniques like the soundtrack, the voice-over wide panoramic shots of the seascape and intimate point of view shots position the hero in her community. Listen to the extras to find out more about what the director intended. The review at http://filmforthesoul.blogspot.com/2009/06/year-2002-whale-rider-niki-caro.html is quite negative but shows you how to discuss techniques.
· Chadha, Gurinder. Bride and Prejudice. This Bollywood-style adaptation of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice uses lavish cinematography and to address the issues of interracial (Indian and Anglo) marriages. If you write about this film, you’ll need to discuss it’s transformation of the novel (a good choice if you’re doing the novel in Advanced English: see http://www.filmintuition.com/Pride_Prejudice.html and http://frame.the-frame.com/2007/08/17/from-austen-to-bollywood-adapting-tradition-in-gurinder-chadas-bride-and-prejudice/ ) as well as the actual film techniques (esp the Bollywood musical elements). A study guide can be found in the belonging folder.
· Chadha, Gurinder. Bend It Like Beckham. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Jess belongs to an Indian family and Anglo soccer team. Belonging to both creates as many problems for her as her romance with her coach (Joe), her friendship with Jules and her gay friend Tony. Everything about this film relates to belonging, the costumes, settings, cinematography, dialogue and sound track. See Ms Carmyn for a study guide if you didn’t study it in class.
· Clavell, James. To Sir with Love. This 1960s classic tell the story of Mark Thackeray trained as an engineer but his race means the only job he can find is an inner city high school where he inspires a disengaged class. Camera angles and music are important in establishing his authority and their mutual respect. Don’t forget to find some good quotes about racism in both the teacher’s and the students’ lives. An analysis from the point of view of real-life teaching can be found at http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=94218.
· Coppola, Sophia. Marie Antoinette. An interpretation of the frequently vilified historical figure of Marie Antoinette, focusing on her transformation from a family-oriented Austrian princess into a materialistic Queen setting trends in for the French court. Pay particular attention to the way the soundtrack, costumes and setting are used to reflect Marie’s transformation from a homesick child to trend-setting adult and final alienation from her populace. You may also like to consider why the film ends before the historical moment for which she is so famous. Use the commentaries to find out the composers’ intentions, but make sure you relate them to belonging. An excellent review can be found at http://www.dvdinmypants.com/reviews/H-N/marie_antoinette.php
· Di Leo, Mario. Babylon 5. Episode 37 “And Now For a Word”. This sci-fi series approaches belonging in many different ways a various speicies of aliens try to live together on a space station. You could use almost any episode, especially those examining the relationship between Narn and Centuri cultures. Episode 37 “And Now For a Word” examines the political role of the media in creating alienation/belonging for the main characters. Look particularly at the cinematography and the way the scenes are cut together, as well as the patterns of dialogue that reveal different aspects of belong for the human and alien populations.
· Fletcher, Anne. Step Up. Hip Hop and Ballet don’t belong together till Tyer is punished for vandalism by working as a cleaner at a ballet school. Here he meets and becomes the partner of a star dancer and you can guess the rest. The cliché is saved by the hip soundtrack and some fabulous choreography which brings opposing dance forms together, but don’t ignore the difference in register and vocabulary between the characters or forget to find some good quotes to back up your discussion of the challenges Tyler faces (including losing his mates) in his attempt to belong. The library also has Step Up 2* which portrays similar themes but with the entire focus on Hip Hop.
· Herman, Mark. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. A chilling portrayal of the power of society to define belonging, this film depicts the holocaust from the point of view of a young German boy who develops a friendship with a Jewish boy the other side of a barbed wire fence (Auschwitz). Discuss the way the soundtrack (detailed analysis available at http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/boy_striped.html), lighting and camera angles frame the innocence of the protagonists. http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=50113 has an interview with the director and http://www.scribd.com/doc/17366679/Boy-in-Striped-Pyjamas-film-viewing-worksheets has a viewing guide.
· Hogan, P.J. Muriel’s Wedding. This Australian film is a (sometimes quite black) comedy about Muriel’s attempt to live her dream of the perfect wedding. Along the way she confronts with cancer, suicide and the question of where she really belongs. Focus on the ways lighting, music and costumes both reflect her dream world and anchor her in reality. An unusual interpretation can be found at http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/feature/13 .
· Hughs, John. The Breakfast Club. Five students, the princess, the jock, the nerd, the rebel and the dag, are trapped together on a Saturday detention. Analyse the way the students turn on each other then eventually develop a sense of belonging through their shared experiences. Camera angles (esp. point of view shots) and the sound track are as important as the dialogue in establishing the changing relationships. The script can be found as http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/breakfast_club.html
· Kleiser, Randal. Grease. The original makeover flick. When naive Australian Sandy discovers her “summer love” is at her new US school, she sets out to renew their relationship. This involves hanging with the cool crowd and developing a whole new attitude. Choose 2-3 key scenes and analyse the song lyrics as well as the film techniques (esp. costume) used to create caricatures of male and female behaviour. A study guide focusing on the historical context is in the belonging folder.
· Little Mosque on the Prairie (coming soon). View (or order from) website here: http://www.cbc.ca/littlemosque/cast.php . This is a sitcom about Christians and Muslims living together in a Canadian country town. Check out the character and storylines on the website or check an interview with the writer (which could also be a related text) here: http://www.altmuslim.com/a/a/a/comedy_has_to_come_from_a_good_place/ .
· Moore, Nick. Wild Child. When ???’s father sends wild American teenager, WHO, to a strict English boarding school, she enlists the help of the students in hope of being expelled. Along the way she discovers some true friends who teach her that belonging is not just about conformity. Pay particular attention to the use of setting/lighting/colour, costume and soundtrack and make sure you write down some of the excellent quotes about the nature of acceptance.
· Nair, Mira. Vanity Fair. In this elegant satire of C19th society, Becky Sharp claws her way up the social ladder among lavish sets and costumes, but don’t let this distract you from some very important comments about the nature of female society where noone really belongs. The extras will give you a good understanding of the historical context and the director’s intentions. Focus on the way the camera and dialogue compel you to empathise with Becky even when she’s being less than endearing. A good review can be found at http://www.aboutfilm.com/movies/v/vanityfair.htm.
· Polanski, Roman. Oliver Twist. Orphaned early in life, Oliver Twist finds a sense of belonging in Fagin’s band of pickpockets. This film adaptation uses harsh angles and monotonous textures in the setting and low-key lighting to convey the dark themes of Charles Dickens’ famous novel. Pay attention to Fagin’s need to belong as well as the boys.
· Rietman, Jason. Juno. When she discovers she is pregnant, Juno has to deal with issues “way beyond my maturity level” – including her changing physical shape, the attitudes of her peers and what it means to “flirt with” the concept of adulthood. Listen to the commentaries to find out how the composers intended you to respond to camera angles, soundtrack, settings/costumes and particular moments in the dialogue. A viewing guide can be found at http://alinihatekenblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/study-questions-for-juno-jason-reitman-2007/.
· Shyamalan, M. Knight. The Village. (coming soon. Ms Gregory has a copy.) A suspenseful film (think about the soundtrack here!) about social control set in a village cut off from the world by a forest full of monsters (but not a horror film). Focus and the way the camera makes the setting claustrophobic and the symbolism of the colour red as well as specific relationships between the characters. It has a great commentary which deconstructs the film techniques. An excellent analysis of the themes can be found at http://vhcook.com/film/filmthevill.htm. This review also responses to some of the criticisms about the film’s plot-twist. It would work well with As you like it or Skrzynecki’s poetry.
· Spielberg, Steven. ET*. The ultimate story of alien-ation! Watch as the stranded alien develops and tentative friendship with the shy young boy, NAME. Pay attention to alienating gestures, emotive camera angles and symbolism.
· Sondheim, Steven. Into the Woods. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. A musical version of the ultimate postmodern fairytale: Cinderella, Red riding hood, Rapunzel, and Jack of Beanstalk fame journey into the woods to achieve their ‘wishes.’ Unlike As you like it, the woods are dark and dangerous, but they do teach each of the characters that caring about each other is the only way to achieve happiness. Analyse the stage set and soundtrack as well as lyrics such as “You are not alone”. Recommended for advanced students only.
· Sondheim, Steven. The Barber of Fleet Street. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. A musical about a sinister collaboration between a barber and a pie maker. The connection to belonging is in the barber’s motivation (his connection to others was destroyed by the judge) for his crimes. Analyse the stage set and musical features of the songs as well as the dialogue and lyrics. don’t forget to discuss the irony of “Not while I’m around.”
· Piznarski, Mark. (2004). Veronica Mars 1.02 “Credit Where Credit's Due". [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Virtually any episode of this teen detective series deals with belonging. This episode deals with racial stereotyping and class distinctions, as well as the beginning of the bond between Veronica and the school ‘bad boy’. Focus on the way mise en scene is used to differentiate the “haves” from the “have nots” and the witty dialogue that links Veronica with the heroes of the episode. For the purposes of HSC English, ignore the season arc about Veronica’s dead best friend.
· Wier, Peter. Babe*. While his siblings are sold to an abattoir, Babe trains as a sheep-pig. Clever animatronics and point of view shots compliment some excellent quotes about belonging. Focus on the pig’s alienation from his pig family and the pressure to conform, as well as his attempt to Make sure you discuss the way the use of caricature and the way the farmyard functions as a metaphor for society in general.
· Wheedon, Joss. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Once more with feeling”. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Almost any episode could be used to discuss belonging – there’s an essay on “Normal Again” in the O-drive. Buffy is back from the dead. Heaven was so good she is now completely alienated from her former job and friends. While fulfilling all the requirements of a 1950’s musical this postmodern episode satirises itself and its genre – what other musical has a song that points out how stupid it is to be singing your feelings instead of talking about them? Begin with Buffy’s “enstrangement” in the opening song and discuss her climactic revelation that life is no more than a set of clichés and the irony that a vampire tells her the meaning of life and helps her belong. Listen to the excellent director’s commentary for techniques to discuss in your essay. Interesting essays from a film studies perspective can be found at http://slayageonline.com/essays/slayage17/Albright.htm and http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~felluga/sf/sampleAPaperMrO3d.html.
· Wier, Peter. Picnic at Hanging Rock. This Australian classic is a mystery film raising questions about the disappearance of a group of Edwardian school girls on an excursion at Hanging Rock. Focus on the conflict between the prim and proper European school life (esp costumes, props and interior settings) and the haunting, mysterious quality of the Australian landscape (esp. in cinematography and soundtrack).
· Australian Story: “That’s What friends are for”. [Ms Carmyn has a copy] This documentary follows fashion designers Sass and Bide through a traumatic time in their lives. Focus on the structure of the interviews, the interweaving of the fashion world with their private lives especially through mise en scene.
Other films:
· Home Song Stories, dir. Tony Ayers
· 1984
· The Misfits
· Heathers
· Gross Point Blank
· Mean girls
· The December Boys, dir. Rod Hardy
· As It Is In Heaven, dir. Kay Pollack
· My Life as a Dog, dir. Lasse Halstrom
· High Tide, dir. Gillian Armstrong
· The Italian, dir. Andrei Kravchuck
· Little Miss Sunshine, dir. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Look Both Ways, dir. Sarah Watt
· Somersault, dir. Cate Shortland
· In America, dir. Jim Sheridan
· Swimming Upstream, dir. Russell Mulcahy
· Grand Torino
· About a Boy
· Anastasia
· Avatar
· Babel
· Breakfast at Tiffany's
· Brokeback Mountain
· Camp Rock
· Children of Men
· District 9
· Donnie Darko
· Forrest Gump
· Girl With a Pearl Earring [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Happy Feet
· Into the Wild
· It's a Wonderful Life
· One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
· Pan's Labyrinth [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Requiem for a Dream
· Sophie Scholl - The Final Days
· The Colour Purple [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· The Pursuit of Happyness
· Transamerica
· Water [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Yolngu Boy [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
· Little Fish [Ms Carmyn has a copy]
