Tsotsi: Music and Sound

First off, as a nursing student wanting to go into pediatrics, I wanted to cringe every time Tsotsi did anything with the baby. Someone get this guy parenting classes! I couldn’t handle it. And of course…the dog. The animal lover in me cried. Now that I vented, I can discuss the focus of sound and music within this film.

The music in this movie is undeniable! It is an essential aspect of the movie. I found it interesting that sometimes the music fit perfectly, and other times left me wondering, what in the heck!? There is literally no silence in this film, which I love. Every sound is expressed, whether we want it to be or not. From dogs barking, thunder, rain, vomit, knife thrusting, babies crying, and flesh tearing, we hear it all. When the man is stabbed on the bus, there is an intense drum roll, almost as if it was the mans final act. I also thought the snake creepy slow music as Tsotsi sneaks up on the handicapped man fit the scene well. As did the music in the beginning of the movie with the hardcore, intense, up-beat, rap like music. It introduced the men drinking and doing shenanigans, and also the aspect of the poorer population surviving. What I did not find fitting was the slow paced, relaxed music as he steals the car. This is should be a dramatic and intense moment as he just shot a woman. Overall while the film is intense and brings about many emotions (like me wanting to scream what the heck are you doing Tsotsi get it together), I found it very interesting and compelling.

Special Effects: Avatar

Avatar is a terrific example of a movie full of interesting and complex special effects. The special effects in this movie are interesting because the characters look so life like. The environment around them is also very realistic, yet the characters are CGI. Almost all of the movie is created with CGI, and is one giant special effect. While plot wise, it may not be my favorite movie, it is notable due to the advanced special effects.

The Whale Rider: Historical Framework

Let me start by first just saying I am in love with Nanny in the movie (everyone needs a Grandma like her!). She is such a strong, independent, and funny lady.

This film takes old traditions, beliefs, and values, and challenges them head on, ultimately bringing the community together. It can be analyzed using the historical film framework in many different ways. The director clearly has great respect for the Maori culture, and it shows in this film. Her opinion is to embrace the culture, but also adapt it to the new ways of living. The films historical context is different than our own time because women are currently more accepted as leaders (not as much as we should be). In the film Koro was not willing to accept Pai as a strong leader, women were looked down upon. Even the Nanny said she did not let Koro see her as the boss. In our time, it would be more accepted that a woman wanted to step up and represent a cultural group. Influences of past literature on this film were the folktale of the "whale rider", Paikea. This story carried the film. We immediately know the two will be linked when Pai is born and named after the folktale. These are the key questions that help relate The Whale Rider to a historical framework.

The Maori culture believes they are direct descendants of the "whale rider", and it is a folktale that has been told for many generations. The film played off of this cultural importance and stayed true to their beliefs. It also focused on the meeting place, the Marae. Many of the concerts, training, and events occurred here, which is true to the Maori culture. Historically, they value family, which was seen in the film. The family, despite their differences in age and culture, remained close at the end of the day. Ancestors are also important to the Maori culture, and this was brought up several times in the film. The film stays true to the historical culture, which I really enjoyed. Ultimately, I believe Pai shows the core values of Maori culture with her strong will, determination, compassion, and togetherness. The film shows us that leaders can emerge from anywhere, and it is important to allow others to grow and become the person they are meant to be.

Interesting Film Transition

Citizen Kane is a great film, one that everyone should see! The transition in this scene is a traditional dissolve. In a dissolve, we slowly move from one scene to another, as the first scene fades in the background. It happens so fast you barely notice it, but it is a distinct transition that allows the viewer to realize we are changing subject or topic.