Black_Baloon

Essay Question: How is the Australian culture explored in your set text' The Black Balloon composed by Ellisa Down, explores the Australian culture through the typical nuclear family living in the suburbs of NSW, however this family is dealing with a disable teenager (Charlie). Also the lifestyle, language, culture and traditions of Australiana are conveyed through the music, characters, costume and setting. At the beginning of the film, where the family had just moved to their new home, Down utilise close up of Thomas face introducing him to the audience as the protagonist of the film and suggesting that the film is about is about “Thomas Stuff”. Diagetic sounds are also utilised where the radio is discussing a cricket match exploring the Australian culture, as cricket is a popular national sport played in Australia Furthermore, the composer makes use of Misen-en-scene to portray the full story and is taken during sunny day where Charlie is present, tapping a wooden spoon on the floor representing his autistic condition. The nosy young neighbours are on their bikes watching the family which represents the neighbours always criticising the family and Thomas and Simon are carrying a baby bed into the house which shows that Meg (mother) is pregnant. Down seeks to explore the Australian culture through the green grass in contrast to the sunny day symbolising that all year around the weather is of diverse conditions in Australia. Moreover, at the beginning of the film, the audience do not see Charlie as a result the constant tapping of a wooden spoon on the floor comes across as almost indigenous. Also, the sound of the birds along with this tapping introduces diagtic sounds to the audience and Down to introduce the responder to the setting. As a result Australia is explored, in additions to an establishing shot as a hot and sunny place. Additionally the music played (non-digetic sounds) within the each scene of the film are all Australian thus explores the Australian culture by introducing to the audience a sense of reliance on own culture in relation to music and entertainment. Songs such as Even, By Simon Day and Fall At Your Feet by Gleen Richards are two main soundtracks of the film and both artistes are Australian. In combination to music a range of settings are introduced to the audience throughout the film e.g when Thomas is walking along a military fence and a dolly shot is used to capture Thomas. The composer aims to explore the Australian culture through the military fence where the idea of ANZAC spirit is introduced to the audience and symbolises the struggle the diggers went through to get back home safely. Also Thomas father Simon is in the army, where Down explores the Australian culture through the concept of “Dad in the Army” which is a common Australian concept and symbolises the struggle of the family to keep up with mainstream society due to Charlie acting as the barrier. A further concept that can be seen in the film is the concept of family togetherness. Down utilities a mid shot of Simon, Thomas and Charlie having dinner where simon quotes “ well boys, you mother thinks we needs more then one pan for dinner and that is not true”. The concept of family togetherness can be explored through the use of only one pan for the whole family as a result the Australian culture can be explored by the allowance of reuniting together at times of need, and shows that even though Meg is in the hospital the family still come together and perform day to day activities. Moreover, the type of language used in the film is very colloquial and is explored throughout the film. Down utilises slang because the Australian culture can be explored as the everyday language used by Australians is informal which part of the Australian way of life. Colloquialism is can be identified in all of the characters dialogue for example the quote “why is your brother a spastic'” is mentioned by a young nosy neighbour who comments on Charlie to Thomas. Along with colloquial language, other techniques such as rhetorical question is also utilised by Down to engage the audience in the film. Thomas mentions to his father on several occasions through the “Dad, do you ever wish Charlie was normal'”Outlining the need for Thomas to bond and communicate with Charlie as a brother. The Australian culture is explored in the theme of brother ship and the support and assistance needed by Australian teenagers during their teenage life. On the other hand there are times were Thomas gets aggressive and as result lets it all out on other family members. On an occasion he got angry at Charlie because of his condition and as a result became violent towards him. A close up of Meg is produced quoting “Your brother will never be able to do the things you can Thomas, He will live with us for the rest of his life”. Hence Thomas runs out of the house and becomes emotional. The Australian culture can be explored when Thomas runs out of the house; a view of the wide lawn is shown which is typical of Australian home as compared to that of other culture for example in America the lawn is small and not as wide. In addition to Thomas actions his character is of a teenage school boy as juxtaposed to that of Charlie, who is also a teenager, however in a different situation to Thomas. Thomas is embarrassed and peer pressured into talking about Charlie at school. He finds support and confidence through Jackie a female, whom he soon develops a relationship with. Thomas learns to swim because of her as a result can relate to her and it is from here on that he begins trusting Jackie, pouring out the hidden emotions. When he learns to swim Down utilises a full shot of Thomas swimming after Jackie quotes “Kieren Perkins watch out” exaggerating on Thomas performance and relating him to the famous Australian swimmer Kerien Parkins. This explores the Australian culture to the audience as a sense of Australian humour is brought into the film in such a time of difficulty along with the thought that all Australians love the outdoor and sport such as swimming. The outdoor are also portrayed through costumes such as Terry towelling hats. For example a mid shot of Simon is taken wearing the hat, along with a v-beer in his hand and participating in a game of cricket with the family screaming out “come on. All these three aspects are known to Australians especially during hot summer days and explore the Australian culture through the idea of a relaxed and general lifestyle. In combination to costume lightening is used to covey the Australian culture, for example the costume worn by Thomas during the swimming sessions consists of only a pair of shorts, where lightening is used through the reflection of the bright blue water on to the characters faces. Most of the times Thomas finds himself flirting with Jackie, in this situation lightening is used create the feelings of the characters and sets a warm and exciting mood to the close up shot. It explores the Australian culture by concluding the theme of Australian love and freedom of expression and suggesting the beginning of a new relationship. It also portrays the Australian male through the idea of a calm general appearance which is typical theme to the Australia male. The last few scene of the film act as the turning point of the character of Thomas and it is in this scene that the characters’ within the film realise who Thomas really is. Every morning a separate bus arrives to pick up the disable teenagers from Thomas school, hence while the bus is waiting, Charlie gets off the bus and greets Jackie. Some of Thomas class mates are present and begin teasing and laughing at Thomas and Charlie, consequently Charlie panics which results in Thomas trying to stop this from happening. One of the female teachers arrives and aggressively orders everyone “to go to their class”. The mid shot explores the Australian culture by the introduction of the theme of leadership, especially one that is taken by women. Overall the Black Balloon portrays the Australian culture through a variety of themes and concepts that are obvious to the audience. It also sends a valuable massage to the audience as it is not easy to deal with an autistic teenager.