Looking for Alibrandi

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI

1. In the movie Looking for Alibrandi a visual technique that is used is applying sepia(brown) tonings to particular scenes. When does this occur in the movie and what is the effect? [ in other words: what do viewers learn or “get” from the use of these sepia tones in a scene]

Answers – understanding of the scene’s action

- understanding of the scene’s main idea

- understand of something about Josie’s personality

Introduction – this would restate the question and indicate to the reader how you were going to answer this: answers

Three paragraphs – statement explanation example of scene and use, Analysis of what this showed you, Summary.

Conclusion.

30 mins.

Scenes would include the opening scene – Josie’s attitude towards her family and culture, the day-dream sequence of Carly arriving at school – Josie’s attitude to Carly: jealousy and film-star high class looks, the day-dream sequence when she is imagining herself as Mrs Alibrandi-Barton …, the day-dream or nightmare sequence where Carly and John are on the top step – high angled shot – and confetti is falling about them.

2. In the visual text Looking for Alibrandi, directed by Kate Woods, Woods uses the sound technique of a jet plane flying overhead to introduce a major advance in the plot or the fact that a character has learned something important. Provide examples of when this technique was used in the film and explain its effect [what the viewer learned or “got” from the use of this effect].

Introduction

Three paragraphs of statement, explanation, example, possible quotes Analysis or learning from exampleSummary, so therefore we can see that through the use of the sound device/technique in this scene we learn that there has been a significant advance in the plot/that X has gained a significant understanding.

Conclusion

Answers: Write about…..

Jet appears in the opening scene – shows us that the family lives near the airport. It introduces itself as a sound technique.

Jet is heard when Nona walks in on Michael, Christina and Josie arguing about how Christina kept the baby. “Am I a this,” Josie. The jet indicates that Nona has gained the understanding that Michael is Josie’s father.

The jet is heard during the school ball when Josie starts to slow dance with Jacob Coote instead of having “that first dance with John Barton.” The lyrics to the song which follows are “make hay not war” which alludes back to the old saying “make hay when the sun shines” and the 60’s saying of the Peace Movement “Make Love, Not War.” This means that Josie is thinking that she may as well make the best of her decision about who she is dancing with. But because she has chosen to dance with Jacob and not John as she had planned, the jet sound flies through the music to indicate a major change in direction to the plot.

Jet flies over in the last scene: shows a gain in understanding by the main character Josie. “I know now that what is important is who I think I am. I am Michael and Christina’s daughter and Kartia’s granddaughter. And we are not cursed, we’re blessed.” This time the jet is visible as well as heard. The jet indicates that Josie has resolved the problem that she had with her search of identity and sense of belonging.

3. Explain how the opening and closing scenes in Looking for Alibrandi, directed by Kate Woods, were linked. What visual, verbal and sound techniques were used to help explain this link?

Answers: Introduction would explain the link – that in the first scene we learn Josie’s attitude to her family and culture and the fact that she doesn’t feel like she belongs in it. That the final scene shows that this attitude has changed and that she now “knows who she really is…”

Link = connection ---- in this case between the opening scene and closing scene. To find this RELATIONSHIP out we must ANALYSE AND COMPARE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES.

Introduction

In the visual text Looking for Alibrandi, directed by Kate Woods, there is a connection between the opening and closing scenes through the use of film techniques and the resolution of the major theme of "the search for identity and the sense of belonging.". This essay will illustrate the similarities and differences in the techniques used to portray the changes to Josie's attitude to her family and culture.

P1 – visual – sepia in opening scene until Josie puts on modern music/ final scene in full colour and Josie puts on the opening scenes music and dances to it. ----changes to Josie's attitude and culture ..........

P2 – verbal features – first person narration by Josie lets us understand her feelings and attitudes directly and how they have changed. Provide examples of quotes for both opening and closing. ------- changes to Josie's attitude to her family and culture

P3 – sound technique – the jet – visual at the end. ........changes to Josie's attitude ....

Conclusion .............. MUST HAVE SOME "SO WHAT" VALUE..We saw Josie mature and step up to face the challenges that she had. We saw that things can turn out better than we expect, or imagine. We saw that our attitudes can change to what we have in life already as a result of maturing, learning and understanding others in our families. We have all been shaped by experiences and our own insecurities and fears. Josie showed that we can all change our attitudes to our families and cultural background through personal growth and as a result of this become more resilient individuals with a strong sense of belonging in this world.

In the visual text Looking for Alibrandi, directed by Kate Woods, there is a strong connection between the opening and closing scenes. This is shown by the use of various film techniques and the resolution of the major theme of “The search for identity and belonging.” This essay will illustrate the similarities and differences between the first and last scene and show the link between them because of the use of sound, verbal and visual techniques in the film.

In the film Looking for Alibrandi there is a link between the opening and closing scenes. One way this is portrayed is with the visual technique of sepia tone. The first scene is shown in sepia tone until Josie switches the 1950’s Italian music to modern music. This shows how Josie doesn’t feel that she identifies with her family and culture. This issue is then resolved in the last scene because the Italian “Tomato Day” celebration is then shown in full colour, and Josie is wilfully participating, unlike in the opening scene. This shows how messages are portrayed and that problems are solved in the movie with the connection between the first and last scene.

The use of verbal features in Looking for Alibrandi creates a link between the first and last scene. This feature is the first-person narration by Josie which allows the audience to understand her feelings and also so we know exactly how her and her attitudes have changed. In the first scene, Josie’s narration portrays her negative attitude towards “Tomato Day” and how she feels it’s old-fashioned as she states “…or as I like to call it, “National Wog Day…do I really belong here?!” This is a contrasts strongly with her views in the closing scene and her change in attitude is conveyed through the use of her narration as she says “…I’m Christina and Michael’s daughter, and Katia’s granddaughter and we are not cursed, we are blessed.” When you compare this to the opening scene where she says “…I have got to get out of here… I’m cursed…” you can clearly see how her attitude has changed. These examples show how by the final scene she feels that she identifies with her family and has accepted her culture. Therefore the connection between the first and last scene is strongly portrayed through the use of the verbal technique of first-person narration.

In the film Looking for Alibrandi the sound technique of the jet plane is also used to show the link between the first and last scene. This device is used in the very beginning of the movie and is a sound and visual metaphor that symbolises a major advance in the plot or understanding by a character. The plane is shown along with the sound to introduce the idea that Josie does not identify with her old culture and that the plane is pointing her way forward to a future in modern Australia. In the last scene, however, Josie makes a statement about her and her family which is then followed by the sound and view of the jet roaring overhead. This shows that the issue of her feeling as though she doesn’t identify with her family and culture has been resolved in Josie’s mind. Therefore there is a strong link between the first and last scene as the main issue is introduced in the first scene and is resolved in the last – with the accompaniment of a jet crashing across the sky.

In conclusion, the use of various techniques helped to portray, the themes in Looking for Alibrandi and created a link between the first and last scenes. In the film we saw how Josie matured and how her attitudes changed, and as a result of these changes we saw how she understood her family more. This teaches the audience that they too can transform a negative attitude towards their family and culture to a positive one which makes them more resilient individuals with a stronger sense of belonging in this world.

Question: Identify a major theme in a movie that you have studied this year. Explain, how this theme was portrayed in the visual text, and why you considered the theme important.

In the visual text Looking for Alibrandi, directed by Kate Woodss a major theme that is portrayed is the earch for identity and a sense of belonging. This theme is shown in many scenes throughout the movie, often through the verbal film technique of voice-over dialogue. In this essay I will give examples of when the theme is shown in particular scenes and the importance of this message in today's world.

In Looking for Alibrandi the first scene that the message of the search for identity is shown in is the opening scene. This is demonstrated through the use of narration by Josie, and we can tell from the tone of her voice and her dialogue exactly how she feels. In the first scene it is "Tomato Day" and Josie states "You might think this is all quirky and cute, but actually I find it really embarrassing...I mean you'd think that they'd nver left Sicily except that it was 50 years ago...This might be where i come from, but do I really belong here?" This statement introduces the theme and lets the audience know how she feels. Josie feels that she doesn't belong with her family and that she doesn't identify with her culture. She then says "That's the past and you can't let the past run your life...I have got to get out of here...I'm cursed..." These statements clearly sho how Josie feels that she doesn't belong and therefore they are important because they allow the auidence to understand the theme of "searching for identity."

In the filme Looking for Alibrandi the major theme of looking for a sense of belonging is strongly portrayed in the part of the movie where Josie learns of John's suicide. John had written a lotter to Josie, which turned out to be a suicide note that said: "If I ould be anything other than what I am, I'd want it tomorrow. If I could be what my father wants me to be, then maybe I'd sty for that too. But if I could be what you wnat me to be, i would stay. But I am what I am and all I want is freedom." This clearly shows the theme and shows the extreme consequences of youth not feeeling like they belong. John felt as though he woul nver fit in with his family and that he couldn't live up to their expectations. The importance of the main theme is shown to the audience by outlining the consquences of teenagers not having a sense of belonging to their family.

In the final scene of the film Looking for Alibrandi the major theme of the search for identity is portrayed through the resolution of Josie's issue of not feeling like she belongs.This is shown through the use of narration so that the audience knows directly what her view is and how she feels. Josie says: "I can't tell you if mem will really forgive Nona or if Michael is goint to stay or if Jacob and I are destined to be together...We both know you don't always get what you want but God i you your fatih." This statement shows how her attitude has significantly changed and how she feels like she can relate to her family as she has a clearer understanding of them. She then carries on to say "I'd always dreamed of being someone impressive and famous, you know someone people couls sit back and envy...but i know now that what's important is who I feel I am... I'm Christina and Michael's daughter and Katia's granddaughter. And we are not cursed, we are blessed." this understanding Josie has gained shows that she connects with her family and has found her indentity which means she has solved her issue of not having a sense of belonging. These examples clearly show the theme and therefore is important because it portrays how you can solve the issue of not having a sense of belong and having a more positive attitude towards your family.

In conclusion, the theme of the search for identity is significant in Looking for Alibrandi and is is portrayed in the movie through the use of narration to introduce the issue, convey the consequences of not having a sense of belonging and how this issue can be resolved. This is important in the film because it allows the audience to have a clearer understanding of Looking for Alibrandi by having scenes that show this theme. The theme of searching for identity and having a sense of belonging is significant to the modern world and is very important in our society because the youth of today need to feel that they are "good enough" and to feel like they belong in their family. This gives children and teenagers security and more confidence to help them understand who they are.

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In the film Looking for Alibrandi directed by Kate Woods the theme of the importance of your personal search for identity and a sense of belonging was an important /interesting one in the film. In this essay i will talk about the importance of this theme and also some of the many techniques Woods used to convey this theme to her audience.

Firstly, this theme of searching for your own identity and sense of belonging is of great importance. Being a teenageer you are still being shaped by your experiences and moulded into who you will become. In this movie the main character, Josie, struggles with this as she does not relate to her Italian heritage but does not fee; like she fits in with her Australian friends either. You first learn of this theme through the film technique of voice-over narration by Josie and the dialogue between her and her family on a national Italian festival "Tomato Day". :"You may think this is all quirky and cute but I actually find it really embarrassing." This narration by Josie is follwed by dialogue between her relationsh who are all speaking Italian to each other. This use of dialogue helped me to understand the main theme of not belonging and how Josie felt different and did not feel like she belonged to her family. In the final scene this technique is used again to show how Josie has overcome her obstacles and found her identity: "I used to dream of being someone really important, you know someone people could sit back and envy but now I know that what's important is who I feel I am." this narration by Josie is followed by Josie talking happily to her family. this use of dialogue gives the same effect as it did in the opening schen but this time to communicate to the audience how she had overcome her lack of identity and found who she really is.

Another technique used by Woods in order to help you understand the main theme was the use of music. In the opening scene, when Josie feels like she cannot relate to her Italian family, they start to play loud Italian music. Josie protests and starts to play a more contemporary track. This shows the audience that she is not accepting her culture and wants to be different. At the end of the movie Woods has used music again but this time Josie does not want to change the loud Italian music but accepts it and even starts dancing to it with her friends. This helps viewers to understand the theme and how Josie resolved her lack of identity because it shows that she has found who she is and learnt that she can just be herself: and this self is an Italian-Australian girl.

Lastly, Woods has used a sound effect of the noise of a jet plan to shwo the audience major change or advances in the plot. For example, when Josie's grandmother comes to the realisation that Michael Andretti is Josie's father you can hear the jet. Also when Josie starts to dance with Jacob Coote, you hear the jet plan. This sound effect helps viewers to understand the main theme in Looking for Alibrandi as it shows the audience everytime Josie comes closer to discovering who she really is, and finding her identity. It subconsciously tells the viewers this and helps them to digest and make sense of the theme, and also to remember the main stages in the movie where Josie sarted to discover herself.

In conclusion, Woods has used the techniques of narration/dialogue/voice-over and music and the sound effect of a jet plane in order to communicate her main idea to the audience. All three techniques provided me, as a viewer, with the information I needed to know that at the beginning Josie was lost with no particular place she belonged to. Through the middle of the movie we learnt that she was discovering who she was, and overcoming this problem. Lastly, we learn, through the techniques that she had completely overcome her lack of belonging and discovered who she really was.

In the film Looking for Alibrandi, directed by Kate Woods, an important theme was the search for identity and sense of belonging. this theme is important to teenagers because as they are approaching adulthood it is very important for them to feel as though they fit in and they are being accepted-especially by their family. This theme ws shown in the film through the use of dialogue and special effects.

Firstly, the theme of the search for identity and sense of self is presented to us through the use of special effects. In the first scene where the main character, Josie, is introducing us to her family, special effects are used to create sepia tones as the action is being caught on film. It is their annual "Tomato Day" and Josie thinks it is stupid and embarrassing that her family is so old fashioned. The special effect of sepia tones is used to emphasise this idea of being old-fashioned and to make it more obvious to the viewer that Josie doesn't feel as though she fits in with her family.

Secondly, the theme of the search for identity and sense of self is presented to the audience through the use of voice-over dialogue in the form of narration. In the first scene, Josie walsk us through a bit of her life, the annual "Tomato Day" which is a tradition in her family. Josie tells the audience directly how stupid she thinks this tradition is by giving snide comments like " ...I have got to get out of here"..."You'd think they had never left Sicily except that it was 50 years ago" and "You can't let the past run your life"...and "I'm going to make something of myself".. These examples clearly show the audience that Josie is embarrassed by her family's tradtions and that she really doesn't feel like she fits in with her Australian-Italian background.

In the final scene narration is used to let the main character, Josie, reflect on her life over the past year. She has finally come to understand a lot of her family history. she now empathises with Nona and she has met her father. She understands why her mother is the way she is and she understands why her friend, John Barton, committed suicide. She had learnt a lot over the past year and at the end of the film she sums it up with dialogue, or voice-over narration, by directly speaking to the audience: "I always wanted to be someone to envy...but I know now that what's important is who I feel I am...I am Christina and Michael's daughter and I am Katia's grandaughter... and we are not cursed, we are blessed." Through this narration at the end of the film, the viewer feels an overwhelming sense of fulfillment. Josie began by hating her family and feeling as though she didn't fit in anywhere, but by the end of the film she has sorted out her life and worked on some major relationships with her family members. The result is a strong, healthy resilient person with a direction in life and a lot of confidence. The main theme of the search for identity and sense of belonging has been resolved and the audience feels uplifted and inspired.

In conclusion, the main theme in the film Looking for Alibrandi is the search for identity and sense of belonging. This theme is exposed by the use of dialogue/voice-over and special effects. The use of sepia tones showed us that Josie felt as though she was stuck in Sicily 50 years ago. She wanted to escape her embarrassing old fashioned family and become somebody. The voice of dialogue/voice-over narration helped the view hear directly Josie's innermost personal attitudes. She told the audience how she felt like she didn't fit in at the beginning and that she wanted to escape her Australian-Italian background. At the end of the film she tells the audience how grateful she is for what she's got and she comes to understand that things may not always turn out the way you planned - they an be even better. This idea is a positive response to the main theme of the search for identity and sense of self. This theme is important to teenagers because it shows them that not all hope is lost. it is important for teens to feel as though they fit in and they feel comfortable with who they are as they approach adulthood. This theme tells teenagers to follow thier heart and just be themselves and it will all work out eventually. It gives teens hope and courage to continue on the journey of the search for identity until they find it and feel totally comfortable in their own skin.