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In the film Samson and Delilah, directed by Warwick Thornton, visual techniques are used effectively to show the world the realities of life for Aborigine teenagers. Throughout the film Thornton uses cinematography, props and make up to show this main idea to the audience.
Cinematography is used by Thronton to convey to the audience Samson's detachment from his town and culture. After Samson leaves the town, he is shown in the unfocussed foreground of a bigshot zoomed onto the town. This is showing the physical distance Samson has from his society as well as the cultural distance he is now experiencing. This cuts to a handheld shot of Samson sitting with his petrol tin. This shot is shaking slightly which would relate to how Samson as well as many young Aborigines feel emotionally. The scene ends with a longshot of Samson walking away from the town. This very clearly shows Samson's choice to leave his town behind and by extension his culture. Through Thornton's use of cinematography in these three shots he has shown the audience the detachment many young Aborigines experience towards their culture.
Thornton uses props to show the dislocation young Aborigines experience towards their culture and how it leads to substance abuse for many. This is clearly shown with the prop always associated with Samson, his petrol can or bottle. Within the opening five minutes this association is clear, as shortly after Samson wakes up he grabs his petrol tin and sniffs it before getting out of bed. His dependence on it is very clear to the audience. Samson is nearly always holding onto or sniffing his petrol and the effects of it become more obvious through the film. When Delilah is hit by the car Samson doesn’t even notice and carries on walking, the whole time sniffing his bottle of petrol. This substance abuse has clearly affected his brain severely and this is the reality of life for young Aborigines that Thornton wants to show the audience with his use of props.
Make up is used to great effect by Thornton to show the violence that is experienced by many young Aborigines in Alice Springs. When Delilah returns after being kidnapped, the audience can clearly see in the light of the fire how bad her beating was. There is congealed blood around her eyes, nose and all over her clothes. Prosthetics are used around her right eye by the make up artist as well as dark make up to very realistically and graphically show a bruised and swollen and bruised eye. Thornton chose the make up so that his audience can see the harsh realities of life for many young Aborigines on the streets of Alice Springs.
Throughout Samson and Delilah, Thornton uses the visual techniques of cinematography, props and make up to show his audience how harsh life really is for Aborigine teenagers. I think that Thornton has used these techniques in such a gritty and realistic way so that Australian society can see what life is actually like for Aborigine teenagers in their own country.
In the film Samson and Delilah, directed by Warwick Thornton, visual techniques are used effectively to show the world the realities of life for Aborigine teenagers. Throughout the film Thornton uses cinematography, props and make up to show this main idea to the audience.
Cinematography is used by Thronton to convey to the audience Samson's detachment from his town and culture. After Samson leaves the town, he is shown in the unfocussed foreground of a bigshot zoomed onto the town. This is showing the physical distance Samson has from his society as well as the cultural distance he is now experiencing. This cuts to a handheld shot of Samson sitting with his petrol tin. This shot is shaking slightly which would relate to how Samson as well as many young Aborigines feel emotionally. The scene ends with a longshot of Samson walking away from the town. This very clearly shows Samson's choice to leave his town behind and by extension his culture. Through Thornton's use of cinematography in these three shots he has shown the audience the detachment many young Aborigines experience towards their culture.
Thornton uses props to show the dislocation young Aborigines experience towards their culture and how it leads to substance abuse for many. This is clearly shown with the prop always associated with Samson, his petrol can or bottle. Within the opening five minutes this association is clear, as shortly after Samson wakes up he grabs his petrol tin and sniffs it before getting out of bed. His dependence on it is very clear to the audience. Samson is nearly always holding onto or sniffing his petrol and the effects of it become more obvious through the film. When Delilah is hit by the car Samson doesn’t even notice and carries on walking, the whole time sniffing his bottle of petrol. This substance abuse has clearly affected his brain severely and this is the reality of life for young Aborigines that Thornton wants to show the audience with his use of props.
Make up is used to great effect by Thornton to show the violence that is experienced by many young Aborigines in Alice Springs. When Delilah returns after being kidnapped, the audience can clearly see in the light of the fire how bad her beating was. There is congealed blood around her eyes, nose and all over her clothes. Prosthetics are used around her right eye by the make up artist as well as dark make up to very realistically and graphically show a bruised and swollen and bruised eye. Thornton chose the make up so that his audience can see the harsh realities of life for many young Aborigines on the streets of Alice Springs.
Throughout Samson and Delilah, Thornton uses the visual techniques of cinematography, props and make up to show his audience how harsh life really is for Aborigine teenagers. I think that Thornton has used these techniques in such a gritty and realistic way so that Australian society can see what life is actually like for Aborigine teenagers in their own country.
