QUESTION: How does the opening sequence of “Ned Kelly” use film techniques to portray themes about Australian identity in relation to the protagonist?

TECHNIQUE EXAMPLE EXPLAIN/ANALYSE LINKLow Angle Medium Shot When we see the young Ned

Kelly diving into the water to save a drowning boy.

This places the young boy in a position of high status and authority as the viewer is looking up at him. The fact that this angle, looking up from under the water, is quite unusual compared to what we are used to. The mysterious nature of this shot draws our attention and we focus on what is happening in this introductory sequence.

This immediately introduces the Australian theme of mateship and helping those in unfortunate circumstances because the young Ned Kelly is saving the young boy. The audience is positioned to see him as a young hero.

High Angle Medium Shot The viewer is then given the opportunity to see the young boy that is drowning from a high angle.

This presents him in a submissive position and allows the audience to fully understand that Ned is attempting to save him from drowning.

This reinforces the idea of Australian mateship and helping those in need. Again, the audience is positioned to view the young Ned Kelly as a heroic figure.

Establishing Shot An establishing shot is used to transport the viewer and the story forward in time and present the type of setting the story will take place in. The shot also shows a bird flying the clear air.

The mountainous area tells us that the story will take place in a country setting as opposed to a central district. The bird flying is symbolic of the freedom that the, now adult, Ned Kelly has at the beginning of the story. Like the bird, he is free to roam the land/town as a free man without restriction.

This symbolism helps to present the Australian concept of freedom and reinforces the way we rejoice and celebrate the freedom we have. It also reminds us that we view this freedom as a right, much like the bird who doesn’t know a world where he cannot fly free.

Non-Diegetic Sound (Voice Over) Ned’s voice over is used to show the audience that he remembers his father reaction to his heroic act.

This demonstrates the importance of Ned’s father’s opinion of him. Although he no longer has his father around, we are able to acknowledge that he was once an important figure in his life.

This voice over acknowledges how family values are important to Australians. Many people, like Ned, have broken homes or family units. This being said, we also understand the importance of having stable relationships in our lives. The lack of a father figure for much of his life might be a way of foreshadowing what happens to Ned, or what he does, later in his life.

Characterisation

High Angle Medium Shot

Full Shot

Close Up Shot

High Angle Shot