English Department News

Teachers feed English students another 'line'

Few mediums capture the art of storytelling and artistic expression better than film. Film has its own unique visual language, which includes camera angles, framing, lighting, colour and composition. Learning to interpret this visual language enables viewers to recognise the symbolism and underlying meanings embedded in a film's visuals.

During a recent excursion to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne, Year 11 English students learned that there is nothing quite like the ‘big screen’ for experiencing the use of a filmmaker’s visual cues, symbols and metaphors to enhance the storytelling process. These visual elements can make complex concepts easier to grasp, providing a deeper understanding of the themes and motifs that feature in a storyline.

This is especially the case in the film Lion, a 2016 biographical drama directed by Garth Davis, based on the non-fiction book A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley. The film tells the true story of Saroo, a young Indian boy who is separated from his family and adopted by an Australian couple. As an adult, he embarks on an inspiring journey to find his biological family and rediscover his roots.

After watching the film and using our highest level of emotional intelligence to contain our feelings about wildly overpriced Kit-Kats ($4.00) and very plain potato chips ($6.50), an ACMI staff member provided us with an insightful lecture about the film and some of the filmmaker's intentions in conveying an almost unbelievable story. Many of the film’s thematic ideas were discussed, including those of identity and belonging, family and love, loss and resilience, and cultural divide.

Students gained greater knowledge on how filmmakers use various film techniques such as diegetic and non-diegetic sound, lighting, costumes, colour and an array of camera angles to engage and captivate audiences. Understanding these techniques allows viewers to follow and appreciate complex storylines like Saroo’s intricate and awe-inspiring journey of discovery.

It was a long arc back home to Bendigo, but well worth the journey for the pleasure of being immersed in the captivating experience of this particular interpretation of Lion. The excursion helped to strengthen our analyses of the film, and gain a greater depth of understanding that will substantially assist us in our film studies back in the classroom.

Miffy Fisher (11 Millward) and Mackenzie Bickley (11 Aherne)