Looking for Alabrandi
- Submitted by: Helencotton
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- Category: English: Novels
- Date Submitted: 08/11/2013 03:48 AM
- Pages: 3
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Looking for Alabrandi
Contemporary film makers use a number of techniques to explore the theme of the universal human condition, often relying on representations of culture to convey meaning quickly. While written text has the advantage of being able to contextualise theme in great detail, the film maker is in many ways dependent on visual and auditory cues.
Looking for Alabrandi is based on the novel of the same name by Melina Marchetta who also co-wrote the script. This is a heart-felt, intelligent and gently humorous coming-of-age story exploring themes such as the search for identity and belonging. The film is set in Sydney in the 1990's and revolves around the second-generation migrant experience of Josie. Josie was raised in an Italian single family, while attending the prestigious St Martha's High School on a scholarship. During this year long snapshot of her life she must cope with both the realities of life and of growing up. She confronts a number of issues such as ethnicity and racism, class divisions, suicide, illegitimacy and love.
In one of the early scenes from the movie, Josie is seen walking up to her school while wealthier students arrive in expensive cars. Josie provides a voice over which explains her feelings of not belonging, and of the ways cultural and class differences affect her. The voiceover technique is used to create an intimacy between the viewer and Josie, by revealing her innermost thoughts and feelings. This technique is used throughout the film, often adding humour in a modern and realistic way. Josie's voiceovers also provide a uniquely teenage slant on youthful angst, revealing the pain and happiness that comes with growing up.
In this first scene at St Martha's, Josie discusses her circumstances and those of her friends contrasting them with those of the other 'popular' students from privileged backgrounds. St Martha's appears uninviting as the colours dominating this sequence are cold whites and blues. Josie's...
Contemporary film makers use a number of techniques to explore the theme of the universal human condition, often relying on representations of culture to convey meaning quickly. While written text has the advantage of being able to contextualise theme in great detail, the film maker is in many ways dependent on visual and auditory cues.
Looking for Alabrandi is based on the novel of the same name by Melina Marchetta who also co-wrote the script. This is a heart-felt, intelligent and gently humorous coming-of-age story exploring themes such as the search for identity and belonging. The film is set in Sydney in the 1990's and revolves around the second-generation migrant experience of Josie. Josie was raised in an Italian single family, while attending the prestigious St Martha's High School on a scholarship. During this year long snapshot of her life she must cope with both the realities of life and of growing up. She confronts a number of issues such as ethnicity and racism, class divisions, suicide, illegitimacy and love.
In one of the early scenes from the movie, Josie is seen walking up to her school while wealthier students arrive in expensive cars. Josie provides a voice over which explains her feelings of not belonging, and of the ways cultural and class differences affect her. The voiceover technique is used to create an intimacy between the viewer and Josie, by revealing her innermost thoughts and feelings. This technique is used throughout the film, often adding humour in a modern and realistic way. Josie's voiceovers also provide a uniquely teenage slant on youthful angst, revealing the pain and happiness that comes with growing up.
In this first scene at St Martha's, Josie discusses her circumstances and those of her friends contrasting them with those of the other 'popular' students from privileged backgrounds. St Martha's appears uninviting as the colours dominating this sequence are cold whites and blues. Josie's...