refer to the film One Night the moon by Rachel Perkins
use these notes
Plan:
Scenes
Opening scene
Symbolism
The barren landscape and the solitary figure of Jim Ryan singing against the backdrop of the moon serve as powerful symbols that foreshadow the themes and conflicts of the film.
Cinematography
Wide shots of the vast outback landscape, framed against the backdrop of the night sky, convey the sense of isolation and desolation experienced by the characters.
The use of long takes and slow camera movements further enhances the mood, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the environment.
Wide Shots:
Capture the expansive, unclaimed wilderness, highlighting the settlers’ isolation and the scale of the land.
Juxtaposition:
Visual contrasts between the structured homestead and the organic landscape underscore the cultural divide.
Natural Lighting:
Uses the harsh sunlight and shadows to emphasize the stark reality of the environment and the settlers’ struggle to adapt, reinforcing their disconnection from the land.
Vastness and Rugged Beauty:
The opening shots showcase sweeping views of the expansive, untamed outback, highlighting the natural beauty and harshness of the environment.
Isolation of the Homestead:
The settler family’s homestead is shown as a small, isolated speck within the vast landscape, emphasizing their physical and emotional separation from the Indigenous inhabitants.
The symbolism of Detachment:
The visual isolation symbolizes the settlers’ emotional and cultural detachment from the land’s original custodians, foreshadowing the cultural conflicts to come.
The juxtaposition of Homestead and Natural Landscape:
Visual Contrast:
The orderly, structured appearance of the European homestead stands in stark contrast to the organic, flowing lines of the natural landscape, visually representing the conflicting worldviews.
Cultural Representation:
The settlers’ imposition of rigid structures on the land reflects their attempt to control and dominate, while the untouched landscape represents the Indigenous people’s harmonious coexistence with nature.
Dialogue of Jim:
Colonial Arrogance:
Jim’s proclamation, “This land is mine! I claimed it, I tamed it, I brought it to life,” encapsulates the colonial mindset of ownership and entitlement.
Contrast with the Land’s Presence:
The enduring, indifferent landscape captured in sweeping camera movements suggests that the land cannot truly be owned or tamed, highlighting the futility of Jim’s claim.
Soundtrack:
Reflective Tones:
The sombre and reflective music contrasts with Jim’s triumphant declaration, underscoring the underlying tension and discord.
Natural Sounds:
The ambient sounds of the environment, such as the wind and wildlife, are interspersed with the score, emphasizing the presence and permanence of the natural world compared to the transient settler presence.
Introduction of Indigenous Characters:
Language as a Barrier:
Indigenous characters are introduced speaking in their native language, highlighting the cultural and linguistic divide.
Cultural Authenticity:
The use of native language and traditional songs adds authenticity and depth, reinforcing the cultural richness that the settlers fail to recognize.
Cinematographic Techniques:
Symbolism of the Landscape:
Indifference of the Land:
The grand, indifferent landscape challenges the settlers’ sense of control and dominance, symbolizing the broader historical and cultural context of Indigenous connection versus settler imposition.
Cultural Context:
The vast, untamed land represents the deep, spiritual connection the Indigenous people have with the environment, contrasting with the settlers’ view of the land as a resource to be exploited and controlled.
Theme – cultural divide
The scene raises issues of cultural divide and displacement, highlighting the contrast between Indigenous and non-Indigenous experiences of the Australian landscape.
At the same time, the scene underscores the cultural divide that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The portrayal of the harsh outback landscape and the haunting Indigenous music serves as a reminder of the historical and ongoing impact of colonization on Indigenous communities, highlighting the need for greater understanding and reconciliation
In the film “One Night the Moon”, the vast and rugged landscape is not only the setting but a silent observer, witnessing cultural divide and dominance.
The search continues → Rose’s realisation → isolation and the limits of human control
The search continues:
Persistence and Hope:
The ongoing search for Emily highlights the characters’ determination and desperation. It represents their commitment to finding the child despite the growing challenges and diminishing hope.
Metaphor for Understanding:
The search symbolizes a deeper quest for understanding and reconciliation. It underscores the necessity of bridging cultural divides and overcoming personal prejudices.
Rose’s Realisation:
Key Turning Point:
Rose’s realisation is a pivotal moment in the narrative where she begins to understand the broader implications of her husband Jim’s actions. She recognizes that his refusal to accept Albert’s help is not just stubbornness but rooted in deep-seated racial prejudice.
Character Growth:
This moment marks significant growth for Rose as she moves from a passive participant to an active thinker who challenges her prior beliefs. It shows her developing awareness of societal issues and the importance of cultural interconnectedness.
Isolation and the Limits of Human Control:
Physical and Emotional Isolation:
The scene highlights the characters’ isolation, both in the vast outback and within their personal and cultural contexts. The desolate landscape mirrors their emotional desolation and disconnects from one another.
The futility of Human Control:
The harsh and indifferent natural environment emphasizes the limits of human control. Despite their efforts, the characters are at the mercy of nature, underscoring the need for humility and acceptance of help from those who understand the land better.
Thematic Analysis
Cultural Clash and Reconciliation:
Representation of Racial Divides:
Jim’s refusal to allow Albert to assist in the search symbolizes the racial and cultural divides that exist within the community. His actions reflect a broader societal issue of mistrust and prejudice against Aboriginal people.
Beginning of Reconciliation:
Rose’s realisation signals the start of reconciliation. It suggests a movement towards recognizing the value of Aboriginal knowledge and the importance of mutual respect and collaboration.
Nature and Human Vulnerability:
Outback as a Symbol:
The vast, unforgiving outback represents the uncontrollable aspects of nature. It serves as a backdrop that highlights human vulnerability and the illusion of control.
Need for Cooperation:
The scene emphasizes that survival and success in such a harsh environment require cooperation and respect for indigenous knowledge, which is deeply connected to the land.
Emotional and Physical Isolation:
Literal and Metaphorical Isolation:
The characters’ physical isolation in the outback mirrors their emotional and cultural isolation. This duality underscores the theme of disconnectedness from each other and the land’s original inhabitants.
Self-Imposed Isolation:
Rose’s realisation that their isolation is partly self-imposed due to prejudice and ignorance is a critical moment of self-awareness and potential for change.
Symbolism
The Outback:
Symbol of the Unknown and Uncontrollable:
The Australian outback is more than just a setting; it symbolises the unknown, the wild, and the uncontrollable aspects of life that challenge human understanding and control.
Challenges to Characters:
The outback represents the internal and external challenges the characters face highlighting their struggles and growth.
The Search:
A metaphor for Reconciliation:
The search for Emily is a metaphor for the journey towards understanding, acceptance, and reconciliation. It reflects the need to overcome barriers and work together.
Rose’s Realisation:
Symbol of Enlightenment:
Rose’s moment of realisation symbolises enlightenment and the breaking down of cultural and emotional barriers. It signifies hope for a new beginning based on mutual respect and understanding.
The final confrontation → clash of cultures and cultural identity
Music:
Score Selection:
The film’s score, composed by Paul Kelly and Mairead Hannan, likely integrates both Western and Indigenous musical elements.
The music may feature haunting melodies, Indigenous chants, and rhythmic percussion to evoke the diverse cultural landscapes of Australia.
Emotional Resonance:
The score’s emotional resonance is heightened during the final confrontation, with music intensifying moments of tension, revelation, and tragedy.
The use of musical cues underscores the characters’ internal struggles and the broader societal themes at play.
Cultural Signifiers:
Musical motifs associated with specific characters or cultural contexts serve as cultural signifiers, deepening the audience’s understanding of the characters’ identities and motivations.
These motifs may evolve throughout the film to reflect characters’ growth or changing relationships.
Cinematography:
Visual Composition:
The cinematography juxtaposes wide shots of the Australian outback with intimate close-ups of the characters’ faces, highlighting the vastness of the landscape and the emotional intensity of the confrontation.
Lighting and Atmosphere:
The use of natural lighting and shadows creates a sense of atmosphere, with low-light conditions conveying the gravity of the situation.
Lighting choices may reflect the characters’ internal conflicts and the broader societal tensions surrounding cultural identity.
Spatial Dynamics:
The spatial dynamics of the scene, including character positioning and framing, convey power dynamics and ideological differences between Jim and Albert.
The physical distance between characters may reflect their emotional distance and the barriers to understanding.
Other Themes/Key Ideas:
Colonialism and Racism:
The final confrontation exposes the lingering effects of colonialism and racism on Australian society, as evidenced by Jim’s refusal to accept Albert’s help due to racial prejudice.
The scene underscores the systemic barriers to cross-cultural understanding and reconciliation.
Land and Identity:
The Australian landscape serves as a backdrop for the clash of cultures, symbolizing the contested terrain of cultural identity and belonging.
The characters’ relationships with the land reflect their respective cultural values and connections to the country.
Humanity and Empathy:
Despite the cultural divide, the final confrontation reveals the characters’ shared humanity and capacity for empathy.
Through moments of vulnerability and reflection, Jim and Albert transcend their cultural differences, forging a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives.
Language Techniques:
Dialogue:
The dialogue between Jim and Albert may be charged with cultural references, stereotypes, and misconceptions, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward Indigenous Australians.
Language serves as a battleground for ideological differences, with verbal sparring exposing underlying tensions and biases.
Symbolism:
Metaphorical language and symbolism may be employed to underscore the clash of cultures.
References to the land, nature, and Indigenous customs carry deeper symbolic meaning, highlighting the characters’ cultural identities and the conflict over land ownership and stewardship.
Silence:
Strategic silences in dialogue or action sequences create moments of tension and reflection, allowing the characters and audience to process the emotional weight of the confrontation.
Silence serves as a powerful linguistic tool, conveying unspoken truths and unacknowledged emotions.
Integration of Elements:
The integration of music, cinematography, themes/key ideas, and language techniques creates a multisensory storytelling experience that immerses the audience in the emotional and ideological landscape of the final confrontation.
These elements work in harmony to deepen the portrayal of cultural conflict and identity, revealing the complexities of Australia’s colonial history and the ongoing struggle for reconciliation and understanding.
Through visual, auditory, and narrative cues, the final confrontation challenges the audience to confront their own biases and assumptions, fostering empathy and dialogue around issues of race, identity, and belonging in contemporary Australia.
