Devil's Backbone

87
minutes on each 12 24 24 60

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Devil's Backbone Lessons

Transcript of Devil's Backbone

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minutes on each

12242460

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Lesson 1Hollywood Film

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What do you know about Foreign Films?

Do you know any of their conventions?

How are they different from Hollywood films?

Think about:• Visual Style - Mise-en-scene & camerawork

• Characters

• Themes - Social & Cultural Influences?

• Production & Context - Budget, actors, SFX

Lesson Objectives:

• To understand the conventions of Non-Hollywood Films

• To understand how films from outside Hollywood have an impact on Hollywood

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Place the convention

Non-Hollywood Hollywood

Lesson Objectives:

• To understand the conventions of Non-Hollywood Films

• To understand how films from outside Hollywood have an impact on Hollywood

CGI

Stars

Franchises

Blockbusters

Happy Endings

Realism

Artistic

Low Budget

Emotive Mise-en-scenePersonal StoriesComplex Themes

Slow-Paced

Independent

Action-Packed

Stylish Camerawork

Dialogue Heavy

Worldwide Release

Unrealistic

ConventionalNarrative

RemakesHeroes

Gritty

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HeroesGritty

Artistic

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How are the trailers & posters for these films different?

Let The Right One In(2008, Tomas Alfredson)

Let Me In(2010, Matt Reeves)

Lesson Objectives:

• To understand the conventions of Non-Hollywood Films

• To understand how films from outside Hollywood have an impact on Hollywood

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What impact might foreign films have on Hollywood?

Advantages Disadvantages

New Talent

New IdeasLoss of incomefrom abroad

Wider audienceEstablished audiences for remakes

Bad Reviews for remakes

Lesson Objectives:

• To understand the conventions of Non-Hollywood Films

• To understand how films from outside Hollywood have an impact on Hollywood

More Competition

Loss of audience for Blockbusters

Multi-cultural cinema

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Exploring Film and EscapismWATCH the first clip

WATCH the second clip

Which clip did you get engaged with more? Can you try to say why?

HiddenAvatar

def: the avoidance of reality by absorption of the mind in entertainment

What does this word mean?

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Subtitles

How many subtitled films have you watched all the way through?

If you haven't watched many, what do you think it is about subtitles that puts you off?

Is it because foreign films do not have recognisable actors/stars? Or is it something to do with reading whilst watching?

Or something else?

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Lesson 2Spanish Cinema

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You are going to watch a Spanish film - what are your first impressions about this? What do you think this film experience will be like?

Be honest, but try to say why you think like this.

Cinematic Expectations

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Which one of these 3 posters would make you go and see the film over the other 2, and why?

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The Spanish Wave/ Influence on Cinema

As you watch the Spanish film, try to make comparisons in your head between Spanish cinema and Hollywood films about young people like...

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Institutional and Cultural Context

Spanish/Mexican Production

Director = Guillermo Del Toro - Hollywood and non-Hollywood film-maker eg., Blade 2

Why would a director want to:-

a) Work in the Hollywood industry?b) Work away from it, in another non-Hollywood industry?c) What does this say about Hollywood, and the films it makes?

d) What do you learn about Del Toro from this youtube clip?

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What draws you to all these dark creatures in your work?"Actually, normally I write and direct movies that show the monster as a creature more human than the humans." Del Toro

Compare Del Toro's attitude towards his "dark" characters to the "baddies" in a lot of Hollywood films, such as the one's shown below.

The Director's Intention

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1) What does this famous painting by Pablo Picasso tell you about the Spanish Civil War?2) What can you learn about The Spanish Civil War from this picture compared to the opening clip from 'The Devil's Backbone'?3) Now, with a partner, argue for and against which TEXT (film, painting) tells you more about the Spanish Civil War.

Different Types of Knowledge

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1) What different knowledge does reading text books on The Spanish Civil War give you that paintings and films cannot?

2) What are the advantages of watching a fictionalised (made up) account of the Spanish Civil War, such as from 'The Devil's Backbone' over written text from a book?

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1) What different knowledge does reading text books on The Spanish Civil War give you that paintings and films cannot?

2) What are the advantages of watching a fictionalised (made up) account of the Spanish Civil War, such as from 'The Devil's Backbone' over written text from a book?

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· Characters/Props· Events· Themes· Settings/Locations· Representation

Main areas of focus, study and revision for The Devil's Backbone:

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1. Characters

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• Use the stills below to create a list of words that define Carlos' personality.

1 2

3

456

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CHARACTER - Carlos - Hero/Protagonist

How are the AUDIENCE made to feel sympathy for Carlos in the early scenes?

Don't just think about the story (characters and action)Also, how his character is filmed - think about the scene where he runs after the leaving car

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CHARACTER - Carlos - Hero/Protagonist

Heroic Carlos - In what later scenes does Carlos do something the audience would ADMIRE?

In terms of FILM TECHNIQUES, how are the AUDIENCE persuadedto like and IDENTIFY with Carlos?Consider:-1 Camera2 Sound3 Mise-en-Scene

Eg., In this 2 shot, Carlos is framed to show how he is theequal of the bully, Jaime, even though he is physically weaker

High angle shot of Carlos highlighting his vulnerabilityand with the bomb in the foreground it re-emphasizesthe danger he is in.

Carlos has an inquisitive and curiousnature, acting as the "detective" in the film,finding out about Santi etc

This scene shows how Carlos is the onecharacter who truly bridges the ADULT/CHILDworlds

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· identify the character

· give a reason why there is conflict

· give an example of this conflict from a specific scene

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Character  Rela+onships.

One  way  to  spot  differences  between  the  characters  is  by  finding  out  their  character  binary  opposites

Carlos Santi

Living

Whole

(Living in the) Present

Inexperienced/New

Dead

Ghost/Transparent

(Trapped in the) Past

Experienced/Old

Dr Casares Jacinto

Old

Good

Honest

Caring

Wise

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Now try your own for hero Carlos and antagonist Jacinto(This will help with question 1c)

Carlos Jacinto

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CHARACTER - Jacinto - Antagonist

Sexually Domineering?

The sex scene between Jacinto and Carmen tells the audience a lot about Jacinto. Apart from using the opportunity to get access to Carmen's keys, why else do you think Jacinto cheats on his girlfriend Conchita?

Consider Carmen's position in the orphanage, and also Dr. Caseras

What do these shots tell you, the audience, about the way Jacinto views women?

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CHARACTER - Jacinto - Antagonist

A Big Fish in a Small Pond?

· How is Jacinto shown as the dominant force in the opening of the film?

· Is Jacinto a coward? Why is he still at The Orphanage, during the War?

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CHARACTER - Jacinto - AntagonistSympathetic?

CLIP ANALYSIS - 'Climax 12 minutes'What does this clip and these stills tell us about what else is (most) important to him? Think about why he

wants the gold.

Describe Jacinto'sfacial expressionWhat is the relevance of this

photograph?

Does your attitude to his character ALTER in any way due to this scene?

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How are Hollywood Villains different to Jacinto's character?

Do a PERSON PROFILE of both these characters

Spanish Cinema antagonists v Hollywood Cartoon Villains

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Most complex/complicated?

We identify with the most?

Goes through the biggest change?

Story is based around?

We feel the most sympathy for?

Most 'Un-Hollywood'

We dislike the most?

Keeps the narrative moving forward?

Main?

Which character.........

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2. (a) Name one female character in your chosen film. (1)(b) Briefly describe this character. (3)(c) Explain the importance of this character’s role in the film. (6)(d) How is gender represented in a key sequence from your chosen film? (10)

[20]

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(d) How is gender represented in a key sequence from your chosen film? (10)

Think of a key scene from the film where Conchita's female character goes through a key change.

Points the shotgun at Jacinto Stabbing scene

males/females stereotypicallynon-stereotypicallypositivenegativestrongweak

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Lesson Objective:

Exam Preparation: To analyse the themes and issues covered in our key text The Devil's Backbone.

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· What do you think is meant by themes and issues?· Where have we looked at this previously?

Theme/Issue:A recurring idea or scenario which is explored throughout the storyline of a film.

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Heroics

good  vs  evil

moral  dilemmas

right  vs  wrongsociety  needs  

saving

self-­‐sacrifice

Superhero themes &

Issues

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Socialism Fascism

'Republicans''Reds' 'Nationalists'

General Franco

'Monarchists'

A system of social equalitywhere the control and ownership of land and power is shared amongst a group. Values: Equality, society, teamwork, fairness

A system where one person has all the power and controls society, by oppression and violence if necessary. Values: Power, hate, greed, violence, discrimination

Popular Front Government

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Themes:· Make a table like the one below

· List the main themes in the column headers

War & Violence Socialism Entrapment Waiting v fascism in amber

4 Examples

Key Scene

key characters?

(Bullying)

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Task:· Split up in to the groups shown.

· Each group has been given a theme from The Devil's Backbone.

· Collaborate in your groups and complete the worksheet

· Feed back to the rest of the class - completing the table that covers all 5 themes and issues

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Groups & ThemesWar & Violence Socialism vs Fascism

Entrapment (in amber) Waiting

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War & Violence

War/Violence

Key Scene: "Ending/Jacinto death..."

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Waiting

Waiting

Orphans:

Jacinto:

Jaime:

Santi:

Conchita:Everyone in the orphanage:

Bomb:

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Entrapment (in amber)

Entrapment

Key Scene: Closing montage "What is a ghost?..."

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Socialism vs Fascism

Socialismv Fascism

Key Scene: "Ending - Jacinto death"

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Ghosts/The Past

Ghosts/Past

Key Scene: "Pit / water jug scene."

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Children & Adults

Children& Adults

Key Scene: "Limbo water, or, Jaime/Conchita ring"

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CHARACTER - Jacinto - Antagonist

A Physical Representation of Fascism?

A DEFINITIONA governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.

a person who is dictatorial "Orphanage reflects the Spanish civil-war but on a smaller scale"

"Jacinto represents fascism"

"Jacinto is power-hungry and uses violence to get what he wants"

"The boys work together and are equal like socialists"

""Jacinto is a dictator and like the mammoth, is killed by the group of boys working together, even though they are weaker"

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Terminology!!!!

24 mins

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Theme: War & Violence(or)Socialism vs fascism

Choose a theme above, watch 'Jacinto's death' scene and answer question 2(c)

Concentrating on the mise-en-scene and sound, how does this sequence reflect the theme you have chosen? (24mins)

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notetaking...

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Mise-en-scene

Colour Lighting

Setting/Location

Costumes/Make-upProps

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sound

diegetic non-diegetic

dialogue (quotes)

sound-effects music - pace/tempo

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1. Socialism vs Fascism

Do a brainstorm of each picture above - what do you see (denotation) and what thoughts and feelings does they encourage (connotation)?

Consider these film stills and what you have seen, what do you think are the differences between the TWO ideologies (big ideas)

Think about the different ways you are taught - what are the positives and negatives when taught in a strict way, and in a less strict way. Which do you prefer and why?

A*?

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A/A* - Symbolism!Are there any connections between the Spanish civil war and the main storyline in The Devils Backbone?

List as many as you can

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Guns

Firing Line

Explosions & Bomb

Fighting

Group vs Powerful Individual

Poor living conditions

Lack of food

Fear of fascists/dictator

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*

question paper 2012

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· What are some of the key props in the storyline of The Devil's Backbone?

Devil's BackbonePROPS

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3.(a) Briefly identify one important prop in your chosen film. (2)

(b) Why is this prop important, what does it represent? (3)

Props...

· gold bars· amber jars· shotgun· wooden leg· bomb· knife· photos in safe· 'spears'· plastic 'ring' (cigar band)

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Major or Minor Significance/importance ofthe prop in the film's story?

1 Character associated with the prop

Prop Themes the prop couldrepresent?

Bomb Santi· War & Violence!(civil-war reminder, dropped by enemy)· Waiting (to go off, characters waiting etc)

· Minor importance to storyline!· At the heart of the orphanage, represents Santi's death - a reminder to Jaime/Jacinto.· Carlos talks to the bomb - communicates with Santi via it.

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3.(a) Briefly describe one important event in your chosen film. (2)

(b) Why is this event important? (3)

(c) How is film language used to show this event? Refer to one or twoof the following:• mise-en-scène• camerawork• sound• editing• performance (body language, facial expressions, gestures). (5) [10]

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· What are some of the key events in the storyline of The Devil's Backbone? (Which move the narrative forward or are significant for most characters?)

Devil's BackboneEVENTS

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Carlos' arrivalDeath of Santi

Socialists murdered in village Climax/ death of Jacinto

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Key event why is it important?the consequences of the event are...

Describe the scene where the event takes place - mise-en-scene/sound/camera/editing?

important to the entire story

Choose 2 of the key EVENTS in the Devil's Backbone?Complete the grid's 3 columns as below:

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Settings & Location:· What are some of the most memorable and important locations in the Devils Backbone

They can be large-scale settings or smaller ones that are key to the narrative.

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Complete the table using the guidelines below to help you plan an answer for the 3 exam questions:

Settings

Important scenes in the film that are set here

Mise-en-scene to describe this setting

Characters associated with setting

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Spanish plain

the orphanage

the courtyard

the pit

How  many  are  shown  in  the  film's  opening?

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· Choose an important setting (1)

· Briefly describe this setting (3)

· What does this setting suggest to the audience? (6)(what does it represent, how does it make you feel describe it through mise-en-scene etc)

Exam questions on setting:

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h/w

Research  who  wrote  and  directed  the  Devil's  Backbone.

• What  was  his  name.• Where  is  he  from?• Where  did  his  ideas  and  influences  come  from  for  the  film?• What  other  films  has  he  directed?(both  Hollywood  and  non-­‐Hollywood)• What  recurring  themes  do  his  films  contain?

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Q3

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24mins!

5555

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reviews In pairs look at reviews for The Devil's Backbone.

Highlight/annotate your thoughts and opinions on the:• Introduction to the film• film's entertainment value• film's characters• the themes and issues• people and places (historical maybe?)

Feedback to the class and discuss what criteria is essential for your film review.

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When answering the second part, you should carefully consider which character you write about...

· Why might you choose to NOT write about the characters on the left when answering this part of the question???

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Dr. Casares· What is his role in The Devil's Backbone?

· What does his appearance suggest about his character?

· Describe his relationship with both Carmen and Jacinto. How does he fit in to this love-triangle? Do we sympathise with him?

· What is his reaction when carmen is killed? Describe how this scene makes you feel.

· Discuss the final moments in the scene before he dies. Does his role change or stay the same at the end of the film?

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Jacinto· What is his role in the film?

· Describe his personality and behaviour in the first half of the film, why does he behave like this?

· Describe Jacinto's lust for power. What lengths does he go to to get it?

· How does this character dominate the screen and the other characters around him? (Camera, body language, facial expressions, dialogue etc)

· He is the film's villain. How is he different from typical hollywood 'baddies'?

· Describe the scene where he talks about his childhood. Do we feel differently towards him in this scene? Sympathy?

· Jacinto is responsible for his own death. Do you agree with this? If so, give examples of how he is responsible.

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equality, working together?

children,

victims of war

Spanish history WAR!

greed, justice(morals)

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