Slumdog MillionaireDirected by Danny Boyle

Learning OutcomesBy the time you have completed this unit, you

should be able to analyse film image and sequences in detail; understand the way film language creates

setting and character, and manipulates our responses;

describe how verbal and visual features are combined for different purposes;

respond to and interpret meaning, ideas and effects;

write about aspects of the text.

After viewing How did the film make you feel? Did it make you think? Were your opinions or attitudes changed by it? Which characters did you empathise with? dislike? feel

sorry for?  

After viewing The film's narrative moves seamlessly back and forwards between

present and past. How does the film ensure that the viewer is not confused by these shifts in time?

Having three actors play each of the three main characters at different ages can pose problems. How does the film try to ensure that the viewer accepts the different actors as the same character?

The motivation driving Jamal from the time he returns to Mumbai is finding Latika. How much time have they spent together before this? Before their eventual reunion, how many times does he actually see her?

After viewing

Complete the plot worksheet.

Approaching Genre 'Genre' is a word – borrowed from French – which means a grouping of

similar works. All movies in a particular genre will include certain basic ingredients, the way a chocolate cake or a casserole does.

 

 

1. Working on your own, in pairs or in groups, decide which genres this films best fits.

2. For each genre, identify the features of the film that make you decide it fits there.

 

black comedy buddy movie comedycoming of agecrimedetectivedisaster documentarydramadysfunctional familyactionAdventure

epic history horror love story mockumentarymusicalroad movieromantic comedy science fictionsocial dramasportssuperhero

Narrative Structure: Plot organisationNarrative structure means the organisation of the plot, including

the order in which events are related.1. Is there one plot or more than one?The most common ways in which stories are told are in

chronological order, i.e. the order in which the events happen; using flashbacks, i.e. earlier events are included later in the story with a frame of later time, and the whole story a flashback (book-ending) with flash forwards, in which future events are included earlier than they actually happen.

2. Which of these descriptions best fits the structure of this film? Explain in detail.

Narrative StructureNarrative structure does not mean just the order in which the story is told;

the term refers to the whole structural framework that underlies the order and manner in which a story is presented.

Director Danny Boyle has called the film 'a tale of two chairs'. 1. Explain in detail how the 'two chairs' are used to anchor the storyline, and

how the TV quiz show provides a framework for the narrative.2. Show how each success in the quiz show is balanced by a great loss in

Jamal's real life. An important aspect of storytelling is point of view: who tells the story, or from whose

perspective the events are shown. 3. From whose point of view is the story told in this film? Quote specific

examples. 

Narrative Structure: TimeTime is always an important consideration in a screenplay; a feature film may

cover days, weeks, even years of real time, so ways of showing time passing are needed.

1. How much time is covered in this film? Can you work out a timeline?Some of the ways the passing of time may be indicated include: fades or dissolves changing light showing a clock or a calendar references in dialogue dates or times on screen seasonal differences – winter to summer cuts to the same scene at a clearly later time, e.g. from full plates to

empty, or the same people with different clothes or in different places. a montage of brief symbolic or typical images.

2. What techniques are used in this film to show time passing?  

Narrative Structure: 3 Act StructureMost commercial films – “classic Hollywood” type - are similar in structure to a

three-act play: The first act introduces the main characters and situation, and includes a scene

that sets up a complication around which the plot will revolve - the catalyst or inciting incident, that disrupts the equilibrium of the original situation.

The second act develops this complication. The third act brings the situation to a climax and resolution.i.e. – get the hero up a tree, throw things at him, and then get him down from

the tree.Each act is structured to end on a moment of heightened tension or interest – a

‘plot point' that will change the direction of the story. 1. Does this film follow this pattern? Can you identify three acts? The plot

points that end acts 1 and 2? There will often be a central incident (coming about half way through the film), a

mid-point scene, which packs a dramatic punch and kicks the action to a higher level.

2. Can you identify the mid-point scene? How does it affect subsequent action?

The Three-act Paradigm:

Act One – set up Act Two - confrontation Act Three - resolution

Inciting incident

Plot point

Midpoint

Plot point

Climax

3 Act StructureAlthough it might not seem to at first glance, the film follows

the traditional 3-act structure. The scenes in the present and the flashbacks fit together neatly within the framework.

1. Act 1 ends with the escape from Maman and the separation from Latika; the rest of the film is Jamal's quest to find her again. At the police station, the Inspector is beginning to believe Jamal; in the studio he has won 250,000 rupees.

2. Act 2 ends with the fourth loss of Latika [58]: "We're done", says the Inspector; Jamal says Latika has disappeared; he is in despair, not knowing what will happen to him. Hollywood screenwriting wisdom says that Act 2 should end with the protagonist at his lowest ebb, which is what Jamal is here. Act 3 begins with "You're back on the show."

3. Act 3 is pretty much all in the present, with much cross-cutting between the three main characters.

Camera shots and angles

Record the following questions in your book. For each of the following camera shots, answer the questions.

1. Identify the camera shot or angle.2. Evaluate why this shot was chosen. What do you think it’s

purpose is?3. Explain what we learn about the character from this shot?4. Explain how the lighting is effective in this shot.

1 2

3 4

5 6

7 8

Characters1. Who is the protagonist in this film? And who is the

antagonist? Explain why you believe this.Narratives often involve a series of problems to be met and

solved, or obstacles to be overcome.2. List the main obstacles and/or problems faced by the

protagonist in the story. How does he overcome them?3. For each of the main characters, create a timeline of their

'journey'.

CharactersAs is usual in such a picaresque story, there is not much room for

a great deal of character development. Characters are generally created in a few broad brushstrokes.

Picaresque: a genre depicting in realistic, often humorous detail the adventures of a roguish hero of low social degree living by his or her wits in a corrupt society.

For each of the main characters, 1. make a list of adjectives or phrases to describe them. 2. quote specific incidents that illustrate each. 3. explain what techniques are used to emphasise each

character's qualities.

Character Contrasts

Although they are brothers, Jamal and Salim are opposites in almost every way.

1. Identify and describe 3 differences.2. Record details of qualities and incidents that illustrate

their differences.

Character & Film techniques

How is character represented through film techniques?

Jamal: chapters 3, 17, 27

Character (adjectives) Film technique Significance or purpose

Character & Film techniques

How is character represented through film techniques?

Salim: chapters

Character (adjectives) Film technique Significance or purpose

Character & Film techniques

How is character represented through film techniques?

Latika: chapters

Character (adjectives) Film technique Significance or purpose

Character Essay

Produce an essay plan for the following question:

Analyse how TWO or THREE production techniques helped develop your opinion of a main character / individual.

Setting

Most of the film – apart from the above – was filmed on location in India, in and around Mumbai, and at Agra.

As is not surprising in a picaresque film like this, there are many different and often contrasted settings.

1. How many different settings can you identify?2. Select the three you consider the most important and note

as many specific details as you can.3. Why is the Hotel Tulip Star location unusual in this film?4. Setting is as much about society as about geography. How

are the various social groups signified?5. Cite examples where the gap between rich and poor is made

clear.6. How important to the film is the setting in India?

Setting

Look at the setting photos and discuss.

Research

1. What is significant about the Indian poet Surdas?2. What do the three lions on the national emblem of India stand

for? 3. What can you find out about Amitabh Bachchan?4. What can you find out about the Juhu slum? 5. What can you find out about the Taj Mahal, one of the most

beautiful buildings in the world?6. Whose face is on the 1000 rupee note? Why is he famous?7. Whose face is on the American $100 bill? Why is he famous?8. When did Jack Hobbs play cricket? How many first class

centuries did he score9. Aramis is the third musketeer. Who were d'Artagnan, Cardinal

Richelieu, Planchet?

Themes

    In groups, read through your notes then discuss the following questions:

1. Identify an important message in the film.2. Identify and describe 3 examples of the theme being shown

n the film. Think about the characters which show this theme.

3. Explain it’s relevance to today’s world.4. Describe the director’s intention in relation to this message.5. Identify and describe the social issues that are represented

in the film.6. Evaluate the message and explain what lessons we can

learn about human behaviour.

Theme and character

Choose one theme and complete the following chart:Theme Characters and how linked example

significance 1.

2.

3.

Theme and film techniques

Theme Film technique example significance

1.

2.

3.

Theme essay

Write an essay plan for one of the following:

Identify what you consider to be the director’s main purpose AND analyse, in depth, one or two main visual / oral techniques used to achieve this purpose.

Analyse how at least TWO of the following were used to present a main theme: Colour Lighting Music Special effects Sound effects Camera work costume

MotifsA motif is an image, a word or phrase that is

repeated several times in a film. Motifs are often used to keep the film unified, to link one scene with another. Another way that film-makers will create unity is by repeating or echoing the same camera angles and shots (visual) and sometimes the same ideas or words and phrases (verbal).

1. Can you identify any motifs in this film? any visual or verbal links?

2. Complete the following chart:Motif & where it appears Character associated

Significance

Motifs1. the emblematic shot of Latika at the railway station: [6, 53, 54]

+ linked with yellow: [6, 20, 60]2. money, bank notes: [1, 2, 12, 24, 31, 33, 36, 40, 52, 56, 63, 64]3. "destiny": [45, 56, 64]; "It is written" [1, 56, 64]4. Jamal being hit: [3, 10, 13, 34, 37, 45]5. hands and feet: Salim lets go Latika's hand [28]; Arvind's begging

hand [40]; Latika's painted hands [45]; Jamal's, Latika's hands in the kitchen [52]; the inspector's feet, Jamal's feet [7]; + [20, 32, 41]

6. mobile phones: [5, 49, 60 onwards]7. mirrors and reflections8. echoes of scenes: Latika is left by the train and bundled away by

Maman [28]; she is abducted at the train station by Salim and others [54]; Jamal is arrested [57]; Salim's hand with the keys [60] echoes Arvind's begging hand [40]

9. steam and similar effects – associated with Latika: [28, 32, 35, 40, 41]

10. cages: [51, 52, 54, 57]11. the musketeers12. trains – frequently; climaxes in the dance in the TV station.

CostumeComplete the following chart:Character Costume What does it tell us about the

character?

Jamal

Salim

Latika

Mamman

Kumar

Sources of SoundDiegetic Music When the source of sound, including

music, is located in the world of the film and can therefore be heard by the characters, it is known as diegetic sound. On the other hand, when only the audience can hear the sound it is nondiegetic sound.

The audience doesn’t have to see the source of music for it to be diegetic; we just have to understand that the characters can hear it as well.

Narration (voiceover) by a character from the film can also be diegetic. Even though no other character can hear the narrative voice, the fact that it belongs to a character makes it diegetic.

Diegetic sound

Describe the diegetic sound in chapter 9:Include - a description of what is happening, - an explanation of why the sound is significant e.g. does

the sound represent a certain character? Why? Does the sound represent a theme? Why? What does the sound tell us about the character or theme?

Identify the characters involved.

Nondiegetic Sound

The most common non-diegetic sound is a film’s soundtrack. For example, in a horror film the characters do not hear the creepy music that sets the mood to the film. Also the music played during the film’s opening and closing credits would not usually be heard by the characters.

Non musical sounds can also be non-diegetic. Task 21. Watch chapter 6 and list as many diegetic and

nondiegetic sounds as you can.2. For each one, explain what you think its purpose is in the

film.

General music questions to consider…1. Identify the purpose of the

music in the film. Chapter 24 & 28

2. Explain how it helped you to understand a character better.

3. Describe how the music helped to represent one of the themes in the film.

4. Analyse how the music contrasted or complimented the setting.

5. Identify how camera shots or movements helped to support the music.

Choose ONE topic.Write an essay of AT LEAST 400 words for your answer.

Analyse how particular techniques are used to encourage the viewer to form a positive or negative view of a character in a visual text you have studied.

  Analyse how visual techniques and sound or verbal techniques

are combined to manipulate viewer response in a visual text you have studied.

  Analyse how mood or atmosphere in a setting is created for a

particular purpose in a visual text you have studied.  Analyse how time is manipulated for a particular purpose in a visual

text you have studied.  Analyse how visual techniques are used to develop deeper ideas in a

visual text you have studied.