LOOK BOTH WAYS REVISION Adapted from VATE Power
LOOK BOTH WAYS REVISION (Adapted from VATE Power. Point)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Sarah Watt is the director Film centres on the experiences of Nick, Meryl, Andy, Anna, Phil, Train driver & Julia. Additional characters- Rob, Cathy, Nick’s parents, Andy & Cathy’s kids Events occur over a stiflingly hot weekend in Adelaide Characters are united by Rob’s death Universal themes Opens discussion about death, dealing with serious illness, fear of dying & different ways of grieving
APPEAL Tightly written script Effective sound track Stunning cinematography and interesting narrative style Easily identifiable symbols- colours, flocks of birds, train tracks, rain We care about the characters because the film lets us into their lives
APPEAL LBW is surprisingly uplifting. It presents the movement from absolute despair to absolute joy. You can always look at life both ways. Humorous moments break the tension Story is honestly told We can relate to the setting, situations and characters
PLOT Friday night train accident at Arnow Hill in country Victoria. The funeral of Meryl’s father is taking place MERYL is an artist who paints images for sympathy cards and she sees danger and disaster in the world everywhere she goes. Her fears are imagined.
MERYL AFTER THE ACCIDENT
PLOT As Meryl is walking home along the railway line she witnesses the death of Rob when he runs in front of a freight train trying to save his dog The photographer NICK has just been diagnosed with cancer and is terrified. Nick takes a photo of Julia the very moment she is told about Rob’s death.
NICK ANDY
PLOT ANDY is a frustrated journalist. He feels he is not being listened to or valued- professionally or personally. He obsesses about male suicide. His fears arise after learning that his girlfriend ANNA is pregnant. By the end of the film he has accepted the baby and has a chance at real happiness.
PLOT LBW takes us into the lives of the victim’s wife Julia and the unnamed train driver and his family. These scenes are played without dialogue with a haunting musical background. Julia and the train driver have a poignant reconciliation scene when he goes to her house in the rain with one of Meryl’s sympathy cards.
PLOT Nick “Googles” his cancer and starts to see sick people everywhere. His fears are real- visualises them in photomontages He develops a relationship with Meryl In a series of flashbacks we see him begin to understand his own father’s battle with cancer and subsequent death.
NEW CONNECTIONS
PLOT Meryl is lonely. She hates her job but continues in a passive way She lacks confidence and is reluctant to take a leap and try a new path Her fears are viewed as animations Has a sense of humour Finally realises that she can’t let her fears control herneeds to embrace life.
MID SHOT- THINGS IN COMMON
PLOT Phil- distant father. Doesn’t value family as much as his occupation- takes it for granted. This changes when Nick is diagnosed with cancer. Anna- struggles with what to do about the pregnancy. Is confronted by motherhood all weekend. Nick and Meryl unite at the end.
STYLE Precise and economical storytelling Innovative mix of animation, photomontage and action The soundtrack is used significantly to tell the story. Camera is used creatively e. g. Andy & Anna in the kitchen Chronological with flashbacks used.
SYMBOLISM Colours- green clothing (Meryl, Nick)- characters in turmoil, troubled Rain- healing. Brings relief to all the characters- new beginning/acceptance Railway line- different paths/choices Birds- punctuate scenes. Reflect where characters are at- single birds= isolation/ loneliness. Flock= collective/supported. Represent freedom.
LONG SHOT- A NEW BEGINNING
THE SYMBOLIC RACE
FILM TECHNIQUES AND WHAT THEY REVEAL
ANIMATIONS (MERYL) Animations- Meryl imagines herself surrounded by sharks/ isolated & drowning in vast ocean. Reflects fears & emotions. Lonely figure reflects the isolation that Meryl feels. Lacks confidence to make changes. Trains derailing etc. Illustrates that Meryl is very conscious of her own mortality. Father suddenly passed away. Spends time worrying about what could happen rather than living life. Near miss changes this (along with relationship).
PHOTOMONTAGES (NICK) Photomontages- Nick previously captured other people’s pain (removed). Now confronted- images of cancer, cause etc. Life flashing before eyes. Has suddenly realised how short life is. Conscious of the fact that he hasn’t achieved everything he planned. Life in danger- fears consume him for the weekend. Flash forward. Offers hope. Director is advocating the importance of forming relationships and tackling challenges.
CAMERA ANGLES Reveal a lot about relationships and power. E. g. Anna and Andy. She confronts him about the article. “Sometimes things just happen. ” Offers him the chance to raise the baby. Anna is positioned at the top of the stairs to emphasise that she’s doing something positive. Andy refuses to accept responsibility for his actions and is therefore relegated to the bottom of the stairs.
A SOLUTION (LOW ANGLE)
CAMERA SHOTS Framing: the Train Driver and Julia are filmed from outside rooms. Doors and window frames act as barriers. This emphasises their sense of isolation and shock. Close ups: Phil throwing away cigarettes shows the audience that he is re-prioritising his life. Close ups of Flowers and birth/death notices emphasises that life goes on regardless. Need to make the most of it.
LOST AND ALONE
ANDY ON THE TRAIN TRACKS
SOUND AND SILENCE Song lyrics tell us a lot about the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters. E. g. ‘Lonely Won’t Leave Me Alone’- ‘there was a time I thought I knew about life and what to do. ’ Coincides with reflection in characters. In Phil’s case- he has made positive changes. Remains dry. Holds toddler. Gets kiss from Jasmine. Has achieved work/life balance. Silence: Julia and the Train Driver. Emphasises the shock and trauma that they are experiencing. First stage of grief. Can’t connect.
SETTING AND WEATHER Hot urban environment (Adelaide) is symbolic of the fact that the characters feel trapped by their circumstances. Rain acts as release. Characters finally confront and accept their problems. Andy’s apartment. Disorganised, articles about death and accidents everywhere. Table acts as a physical and emotional barrier between Andy and Anna.
THEMES Private vs. public grieving (role of the media) Fear Loss and grief (conventions) Fate Responsibility Death Hope
VIEWS AND VALUES Sarah Watt is advocating the importance of accepting responsibility Importance of valuing family Not allowing fear to control life- need to embrace opportunities & experiences Showing compassion and support Reaching out to individuals
NICK AND MERYL REFLECT
- Slides: 32