Boy

In the film ‘Boy’ directed by Taika Waititi, camera shots, flashbacks and music were used to show the importance of a role model. Waititi Specifically used these three cinematography techniques throughout the bridge scene to give us as the viewers a better and more in depth understanding about how Boy is feeling.

Taika Waititi successfully used camera shots throughout the bridge scene. Waititi used many camera shots for a purpose, to show the viewers how Boy was feeling. Close up and extreme close ups were focused on Boys eyes. The close ups on Boys eyes showed he was sad and that he felt like he was at a breaking point in life. His emotional needs were not met as no one was there to comfort him and support him when he’s upset . Wide shots were used to show the setting of where Boy grew up. Boy didn’t see the truth of his father at the start. However, he finally realsies. This is shown through close ups on his eyes. Close ups were mixed between flashbacks, showing what Boy is thinking.

Flashbacks were a key part in the bridge scene. They showed us how Shogun was absent throughout Boy and Rocky’s lives. At the start of the film the flashbacks showed shogun, Boys Nan, Rocky and His mother’s body dead on the bed from childbirth and Boy peeking around the corner. He was picturing his father being there. Other flashbacks showed Boys father and his mother who was pregnant with Rocky and Boy sitting in a big pohutukawa tree at the beach. He pictured them being happy. Boy thought of his father as a role model and would try and be like his father. The bridge scene had three flashbacks, one of rocky’s birth and Boys father not there for his sons arrival or his partners death. Another flashback showed Boys mum crying pregnant with Rocky while boy holds his mother’s stomach. Boys father was not present. The bridge scene is important because it shows Boys realisation to not having a father figure to grow up with. Boy suffered from emotional and physical child neglect as his Mum died and his father chose to live his own life without Boy, then come back when he needed something which wasn’t his family. Boy wanted to be just like his father, he thought of his Dad as a role model when he came back. Over time he realised who his father really was and did not want to be anything like him.

Music is another key part in the film. Amazing grace played throughout the bridge scene, it is a very popular Hymn. Taika Waititi added this song in as the lyrics mean a lot. “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.” These lyrics tell us that Boy is at a low point in life. The song shows Boys realisation and that he is trying to seek guidance from his Mother and God. The music was slowed downed and made to have an echoing sound to show that Boy felt so sad and lost.

In conclusion Boy looked up to his father, he thought of him as a role model. Boy has been so used to learning to fend for himself and not have anyone else being there for him. Camera shots, flashbacks and music were used to show the importance of a role model. Taika Waititi used different cinematography techniques to show how Boy was feeling and showed that his emotional needs were not met as Shogun didn’t really act like a father. Overall Boy realised that he did not want to be like Shogun as he didn’t really care about anyone but himself. This shows shows how significant the bridge scene is. In my perspective Boy wanted to have a father figure in his life, to not feel like a child and to feel like he finally has someone who will comfort him and cheer him up when he’s sad.