A STUDY GUIDE by Katy Marriner
http://www.metromagazine.com.au
http://www.theeducationshop.com.au structures and features of a Their troubles mount. Only Keats’ his study guide non-print text; illness proves insurmountable. to accompany Bright Star – use their own written and spoken Director’s Statement texts to explore concepts and (2009), a feature The film is in itself a kind of ballad, ideas and to clarify their own and film written like Keats’ ‘Eve of St Agnes’ – it others’ understanding. and directed by Jane Campion, is a story about the love affair of is recommended for secondary Synopsis Fanny Brawne and John Keats. Tstudents from the middle to senior The story progresses in verses years. It provides information and London 1818: a secret love affair charting their increasing involvement suggestions for learning activities in begins between 23-year-old English and attachment as well as their English, Literature and Media. poet, John Keats, and the girl next deepening difficulties. door, Fanny Brawne, an outspoken Bright Star tells the story of John The storytelling’s restraint mimics student of fashion. The unlikely Keats, the English Romantic poet, Fanny’s own life restraint, the pair start at odds; he thinking her a and Fanny Brawne, his love and passive waiting fate of any young stylish minx, she unimpressed by inspiration. woman of her time: the life amongst literature in general. In completing the tasks, students the family, her obsession with will have demonstrated the ability to: It is the illness of Keats’ younger sewing, the restrictions on her brother that draws them together. activities and her chaperoned – analyse the construction of a Keats is touched by Fanny’s efforts outings. Against all these restraints, non-print text and comment to help and agrees to teach her her determined passion for Keats on the ways it represents an poetry. By the time Fanny’s alarmed expressed through the notes she interpretation of ideas and mother and Keats’ best friend left under his pillow or by presenting experiences; Brown realise their attachment, the herself at his window when he was – respond to a text both personally relationship has an unstoppable sick, seem all the more remarkable. momentum. and in detached and critical ways; The most important quality of this – discuss the social, cultural and Intensely and helplessly absorbed story was to get across the intimacy historical values embodied in a in each other, the young lovers are of the characters to the viewer. non-print text; swept into powerful new sensations, Rehearsal was very important for this ‘I have the feeling as if I were as it helped the actors to establish – draw on appropriate dissolving’, Keats writes to Fanny. a subtle Being. Both Ben Whishaw metalanguage to discuss the Their romantic obsession deepens. and Abbie Cornish have a particular
SCREEN EDUCATION 2 delicious charisma which, through the rehearsal period, they gave their characters claim to. The more real they are, the more the mystery of their unique personalities is allowed to fascinate us, capturing our imagination and our hearts. Bright Star I see the world of Keats and Fanny as light-filled, literally leaking light, and even though the film ends with Keats’ death, the lamp lit by his poetic genius and unique spirit cannot be extinguished. It is Bright Star’s ambition to sensitize the audience, to light the lamp. – Jane Campion John Keats Born on 31 October 1795, John to Fanny Keats published three books scandalised of poetry in his lifetime but was Victorian attacked and dismissed by most society. critics. He had no advantages of Fanny’s letters birth, wealth or education. Yet grief to Keats, as he and hardship never destroyed his had requested, passionate commitment to poetry. were destroyed upon his death. It was not In the autumn of 1818 Keats moved until 1937, that a collection to Hampstead Village to nurse his of letters, written by Fanny brother Tom. It was during this time Brawne to Keats’ sister, revealed that Keats first met eighteen-year- the intensity of Brawne’s feelings old Fanny Brawne. After Tom’s for Keats and redeemed her rather death on 1 December 1818, Keats promiscuous reputation. moved to Wentworth Place, where he lived with his close friend and Keats is now regarded as one of the key figures of the Romantic fellow poet Charles Brown. Inspired This Grave contains all that was movement. Romanticism covers by his love for Fanny, Keats enjoyed mortal, of a YOUNG ENGLISH the period from 1800 to 1825. The an incredible burst of creativity in POET, who on his Death Bed, in Romantic poets can be divided into the two years that followed, until the Bitterness of his heart, at the two groups, earlier and later. The illness in the winter of 1820 took its Malicious Power of his enemies, major poets of the first group were toll. Concerned friends and followers desired these words to be Engraven Wordsworth and Coleridge, whose deemed it necessary for Keats to on his Tomb Stone leave England. In September 1820, best poetry was written in accompanied by his friend Joseph Brawne mourned Keats as if they the decade or so following 1798. Severn, Keats sailed to Italy. had been married, wearing widow’s The second group consists of black for three years and spending Byron, Shelley and Keats, whose Keats died on 23 February 1821 hours in her room re-reading his major poetry appeared during and was buried in the Protestant letters or wandering alone on the fifteen-year period from Cemetery, Rome. His last request Hampstead Heath. In 1833 Fanny 1810 to 1825. Keats’ poetry was was to be buried under a tombstone married and began a family, but characterised by sensual imagery reading, ‘Here lies One Whose she never took off the ring Keats and remain among the most popular Name was writ in Water.’ His name had given her. She also kept many poems in English literature. was not to appear on the stone. of Keats’ love letters to her. Some – A detailed biography can be His friends Joseph Severn and were mere notes, others lengthy found at
SCREEN EDUCATION 3 • For both Keats and Fanny this is first love. What statement does ‘Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art –’ Bright Star make about first love?
• Many have critiqued, challenged Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art – and attempted to explain Keats and Fanny’s affair. What does Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night Campion want us to think? • Is it not extraordinary? When And watching, with eternal lids apart, among Men I have no evil thoughts, no malice, no spleen Like nature’s patient sleepless Eremite, – I can listen and from every one I can learn – my hands are The moving waters at their priestlike task in my pockets I am free from all suspicion and comfortable. Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores, When I am among Women I have evil thoughts, malice, Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask spleen – I cannot speak or be silent – I am full of Suspicions Of snow upon the mountains and the moors – and therefore listen to no thing – I am in a hurry to be gone – No – yet still stedfast, still unchangeable, You must be charitable and put all this perversity to my being Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast, disappointed since Boyhood – … I must absolutely get over this, – To feel for ever its soft fall and swell, but how? The only way is to find the root of the evil, and so cure it. Awake for ever in a sweet unrest, – John Keats, in a letter to Benjamin Bailey, July 1818 Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath, Nothing strikes me so forcibly with a sense of the rediculous as love And so live ever – or else swoon to death. – A Man in love I do think cuts the sorryest figure in the world – Even when I know a poor fool to be really in pain about it, I could and letters. Similar information can in love, the only other possibility he burst out laughing in his face be found at
SCREEN EDUCATION 4 Campion offers a vivid picture of the social constraints on grand passion and romantic fulfillment in England at the time. In an age of propriety and restrictive social codes, Keats and Fanny were obliged to exercise restraint. Bright Star • When does Campion show Keats • Fanny’s mother tries in vain to Keats’ poetry and Fanny’s restraint? bring an end to the romance. ‘The great beauty of Poetry is, that • Campion shows Fanny and Fanny refuses to give up romance it makes every thing every place Keats in neighbouring bedrooms for reality. Finally Mrs Brawne interesting –’ – Keats imagining each other on the gives permission for the couple to other side of the bedroom wall. be officially engaged. Why does In May 1816, Keats published his How else does Campion portray she give in to what Fanny and first poem in a magazine. A year intimacy? Keats want? later in March 1817, Keats published Poems, a volume of poetry. • When does Campion show the • ‘Why not bed her? She’d do Endymion followed in April 1818 and lovers giving in to passion? whatever you wished.’ – Brown a third volume of poetry titled Lamia, Is love a distraction or does love Brown has a crass and casual Isabella, The Eve of St Agnes, and enhance creativity? Bright Star approach to love. When does Other Poems, was published in June examines the effect that love has on Campion show this to be the 1820. Keats wrote 150 poems. the creative person. case? • Do you have a favourite Keats • Is Keats distracted by Fanny’s Pre-Victorian England poem? presence? Or is he inspired? Or • What does Bright Star tell • ‘My sister has met the author, does his passion for Fanny both you about life in Pre-Victorian and she wants to read it for excite and exhaust him? What is England? herself to see if he is an idiot or Brown’s opinion? • How does Bright Star critique not.’ – Toots Keats and Fanny’s romance takes social structures of the time? time. The fatal illness of Keats’ brother Tom; Keats’ absences; • Mrs Brawne, Charles Brown, Brown’s interference; the initial the Dilkes and Keats’ friends disapproval of Fanny’s mother; and followers – What do these the constant presence of Fanny’s characters regard as their role siblings and the concerned but in society? How do they disapproving opinions of family assume and perform friends such as the Dilkes, are their role? obstacles in the path of their love. • In what ways is • As a class, discuss how the Keats constrained following factors thwart Keats and by society’s Fanny’s love. views and – Money and the need to values? Does make a living he challenge – Social mores these – Family expectations constraints? – Male loyalties • In what ways – Illness is Fanny • Keats and Fanny do not cope constrained well with separation. They are by society’s miserable without each other. views and When does Campion show this to values? be true? Does she challenge • Fanny’s dance card is always full. these How does jealousy shape Keats constraints? and Fanny’s romance?
SCREEN EDUCATION 5 Toots and Samuel are sent to the A poem needs understanding of others and the precariousness bookshop to buy a copy of Keats’ through the senses. The point of of his hope of making a living Endymion. The shopkeeper diving in a lake is not immediately from literature. seems to regret stocking the to swim to the shore, but to How does Keats regard his failure books given he has taken twenty be in the lake, to luxuriate in to impress the critics? but not sold one. the sensation of water. You do • Continue your study of Keats by Does Endymion change Fanny’s not work the lake out, it is an reading ‘Ode on Melancholy’, perception of Keats? experience beyond thought. Poetry soothes and emboldens ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’, ‘Ode to • ‘The rhythm is beautiful and the soul to accept mystery. Psyche’ and ‘To Autumn’. unique. There are rhymes, but not Make a detailed analysis of these on the beat. They’re quiet, but Drawing on Keats’ advice, spend Keats poems. binding. And the repetitions set time reading: you up to fly.’ – Reynolds – ‘When I have fears that I may Three essential questions to assist your analysis of each poem are: Do you agree with Reynolds’ view cease to be’ of the poem ‘Endymion’? – ‘The Eve of St. Agnes’ – What is the poem about? – What is the purpose of the Fanny, as opposed to Reynolds’ – ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ poem? technical analysis, offers two – ‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci’ – How is language used to words to convey her opinion of convey meaning, create impact the poem, and in so doing shows Record your thoughts and and involve the reader? her innate understanding of feelings about each poem. When Keats’ writing – ‘It’s beautiful.’ does Campion make use of these Begin your study of a poem by poems and to what effect? reading it aloud. Keep in mind Why do you think ‘Endymion’ can that constant re-reading of a be described as beautiful? • ‘There were two very positive poem is invaluable. Often features reviews, by friends, and six mainly • Fanny confesses to Keats that that appear difficult or obscure hostile and four hostile. I don’t ‘poems are a strain to work out’. on a first reading will suddenly know is that successful?’ – Keats Keats recommends that Fanny become clear. consider an impressionistic reaction The gibes of the reviewers reveal Find the line in the poem that you rather than an intellectual one. the harshness and carelessness
SCREEN EDUCATION 6 like the most. It could be the line that makes the most sense or the line that creates the greatest impact. Use this line as a way to develop a more complete knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the poem. Bright Star • Keats’ extreme sensitivity to nature is evident in most of his poems. When does Campion show Keats drawing on the natural world for inspiration? Fanny’s clothes Fanny is as concentrated on her sewing as Keats on his writing.
• Bright Star begins with Fanny dressed in white cotton and ends with her dressed in widow’s black. What does Campion My acknowledge through the change in Fanny’s appearance? What dearest else does Fanny wear? What do Lady, Fanny’s clothes and her interest in fashion reveal about Fanny? I am now at • ‘Well, all I wear I’ve sewn and a very pleasant designed myself. I am often told I am clever to exception Cottage window, about design.’ – Fanny looking onto a What moments would you use to prove that Fanny is both talented beautifully hilly and proud of her creativity? country, with a view of • Fanny’s stitches are as beautiful the sea; the morning is very as Keats’ words. Do you agree? fine. I do not know how elastic • Brown dismisses Fanny as ‘the very well-stitched Miss my spirit might be, what pleasure I Brawne’. What does his attitude reveal about attitudes to female might have in living here if the remembrance creativity? How do other of you did not weigh so upon me. Ask yourself my love characters respond to Fanny’s creativity? whether you are not very cruel to have so entrammelled • Women of Fanny’s time were me, so destroyed my freedom. expected to sew and wait. When does Campion show this to be For myself I know not how to express my devotion to so the case? fair a form: I want a brighter word than bright, a fairer Keats’ letters word than fair. Keats’ love for Fanny Brawne inspired some of the most beautiful I almost wish we were butterflies and liv’d but three love letters ever written. summer days – three such days with you I could fill with Campion uses the following excerpts from Keats’ letters in Bright Star: more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.
SCREEN EDUCATION 7 Will you confess I have two luxuries My sweet Girl, this is in a letter? to brood over in I am living today my walks, your You must write Loveliness and the in yesterday: I immediately and hour of my death. was in a complete do all you can to O that I could fascination all day. console me in it – have possession of I feel myself at make it rich as a them both in the your mercy. Write draught of poppies same minute. me ever so few to intoxicate me – I never knew before, what such lines and tell me write the softest a love as you have you will never for words and kiss made me feel, was; ever be less kind to them that I may I did not believe me than yesterday – at least touch my in it. But if you will fully love me, You dazzled me – lips where yours though there may There is nothing in have been. be some fire, it will the world so bright not be more than and delicate. You we can bear when have absorb’d me. moistened and bedewed I have a sensation with Pleasures. at the present moment as if I was dissolving.
SCREEN EDUCATION 8 My sweet creature, when I send this around I shall be Bright Star in the front parlour watching to see you Let me no longer detain you from going show yourself for a to Town – there may be no end to this minute in imprisoning of you. Perhaps you had better the garden. not come before tomorrow evening. You When I look back know our situation – I am recommended upon the ecstasies in which I have not even to read poetry much less write it. pass’d some days, I wish I had even a little hope. I cannot and the miseries say forget me – but I would mention that in their turn, I there are impossibilities in the world. wonder the more at the Beauty which has kept up the spell so fervently. How horrid was the chance of slipping into the ground instead of into your arms – the difference is amazing Love.
SCREEN EDUCATION 9 • What do the excerpts from Keats’ life, do you think Campion Fanny’s effort to make a good these letters tell us about Keats’ has offered a faithful account of impression comes to nothing when understanding of love and his love Keats and Fanny’s love affair? Keats opens the door unexpectedly. for Fanny? She does not make the entrance In beginning the film with an image that she planned to make. Discussing narrative of a needle and thread piercing structure a piece of white fabric Campion • What does this scene tell us Campion has taken creative establishes that the story is told about Fanny? from Fanny’s perspective. liberties in shaping the details of • Fanny tells Keats, ‘I am not the Keats and Brawne’s relationship • Why do you think Campion least interested in your character.’ into a feature film. decided to tell the story from Is Fanny being honest? Bright Star is inspired by actual Fanny’s perspective? What other events and people, however, certain moments confirm that this is the • Why does Keats call Fanny details, characters, dialogue, case? ‘minxstress’? organisations, scenes and events Discussing scenes and Biscuits for Tom have been created and therefore sequences are not to be viewed as factually ‘I cannot offer poor Mr Keats’ accurate. Campion needed to • Begin by asking students to brother anything that’s not perfect.’ invent the story between the facts. share their favourite moments of – Fanny the film. The class can then sort Context, constructed dialogue • Why does Fanny make a basket these moments to form a list of and other fictionalised elements of biscuits for Tom? have been used for dramatic key scenes. • Why does Brown deliberately purposes. Certain names have been John Keats and Fanny Brawne annoy Fanny? changed. The timeline of events meet for the first time has been compressed and edited • How does Keats behave? to accommodate the motion picture When Fanny Brawne meets John Christmas 1818 format. Keats for the first time, his spirits are low. Tom, his brother is ill and Keats ‘Dear Mrs Brawne, May I yet join you Campion drew on Keats’ poems and does not wish to socialise. for Christmas? I have not the heart letters, as well as Andrew Motion’s to be anywhere but with a family biography to create the narrative. Prior to meeting Keats, Fanny checks her appearance in the such as your own. John Keats.’ • Based on your knowledge of mirror and then smooths her dress. Keats spends Christmas with the
SCREEN EDUCATION 10 Brawnes even though Brown has endeavoured to keep them apart.
How does this scene shape our understanding of Keats, his view of life and his regard for Fanny? A poetry lesson Bright Star ‘I cannot restrain my credibility longer. Miss Brawne, is this really you or are you acting?’ – Brown
Fanny arrives at Wentworth Place intent on arriving at an understanding of poetry.
• Why does Brown question Fanny’s motives?
• How does Fanny respond?
• What do we learn of Keats’ motives in this scene?
Valentine’s Day
‘Darling Valentine I am not sure if • Fanny, I have no money. you should have a kiss for your In fact I am in debt. I must amber enchantress eyes or a earn, I must write and make whipping! Yours, the Suitcase’ a living. If I fail, though I hate to think on it, then I must make way Brown claims that the valentine so another may marry and adore message was meant to amuse you as I wish to. – Keats Fanny and to protect Keats. Romantic or realistic? Spend time ‘John, she’s what? A poetry scholar discussing Keats’ explanation to one week, and what, a military the distressed Fanny. What does expert the next? It is a game. It is a his explanation tell us about his game to her, she collects suitors.’ ambition and desire?
• Why do you think Brown sent • ‘No! I will not be adored ever again The garden at Wentworth Place is Fanny the valentine message? by you or by anyone! I hate you!’ a thing of beauty. Do you think Brown would ‘bed’ – Fanny Fanny if he had the chance? • Drawing on Keats’ poetry create Were you surprised by Fanny’s a description of the garden at • Why is Keats so upset? outburst? Wentworth Place. • How does Fanny behave? Fanny is at a loss as she waits • When does Campion show us for news from Keats. She mopes Next door neighbours that Keats and Fanny desire only around the house, is mean to Toots to be together? When the Brawnes move into the and struggles to get out of bed. Dilkes’ half of Wentworth House, A picnic on Hampstead Heath romance blossoms. Keats immerses • When I don’t hear from him it is as himself in the life of the Brawne family. Away from the watchful glances of if I’ve died, as if the air is sucked Brown does his best to keep the family and friends, Keats and Fanny out from my lungs and I am left households divided. Fanny’s presence flirt and kiss. desolate, but when I receive a letter I know our world is real. It’s is intoxicating and Keats finds himself • How does this moment change the one I care for. – Fanny both distracted and inspired. everything? When the letters arrive how does • Brown establishes the rules of the The Isle of Wight shared household. What makes Campion show Fanny’s change of this scene humorous? Keats and Brown go to the Isle of mood? Wight, as Brown puts it, ‘for some undisturbed writing and carousing.’
SCREEN EDUCATION 11 • What sentiments does Keats Does Brown act in Keats’ best Goodbye convey in his letters? What does interests when he insists that • Use the following quotationss to Fanny offer in reply? Fanny must not see the ailing generate a discussion of Keats Keats? • In one of the letters from the Isle and Fanny’s thoughts and feelings of Wight, Keats tells Fanny: A trip to Italy before Keats’ departure.
Listen, I love you more in that ‘Well, he has to go, He won’t live ‘Shall we awake and find all this is I believe you have liked me for through another winter in England.’ a dream? There must be another my own sake – I have met with – Dr Bree life, we can’t be created for this women whom I really think would kind of suffering.’ – Fanny A meeting is held and Keats’ health like to be married to a Poem and and wellbeing are discussed. ‘I doubt that we will see each to be given away by a Novel. other again on this earth.’ – Keats Does Keats’ have a say? What Why is this acknowledgement so about Fanny? ‘We have woven a web, you important? and I, attached to this world, Keats returns to Wentworth Place Keats is ill but a separate world of our Brown’s affair with Abigail, the own invention. We must cut the On his return from a trip to London, Brawne’s maid, has repercussions for threads Fanny.’ – Keats Keats becomes seriously ill and Keats. Abigail’s pregnancy means that must rest. ‘Let’s pretend I will return in Brown must provide for her and cannot spring.’ – Keats • ‘I am simply determined to meet his obligations to Keats. Keats preserve the life of my friend.’ is forced to move to a room in Kentish • What type of future do Fanny and – Brown Town. After five weeks he cannot bear Keats imagine for themselves? the separation from Fanny and he ‘I was wondering where you were.’ • In the end they do not speak returns to Hampstead Village. Toots – Keats words of goodbye. Why does finds the exhausted and emaciated Campion portray their final ‘I get anxious if I don’t see her.’ Keats collapsed in the garden. moment together in this way? – Keats • Mrs Brawne chooses to ignore ‘I have been waiting to be with gossip and allows Keats to stay. you the whole day.’ – Fanny What moments confirm that Keats is happy to make a home with the Brawnes?
SCREEN EDUCATION 12 Keats’ death
The news of Keats’ death devastates Fanny.
• How does Campion convey Fanny’s grief in the final scenes and the closing credit sequence of Bright Star? Bright Star Discussing characters Mrs Brawne – Kerry Fox Discussing relationships Mrs Brawne is a widow with three John Keats – Ben Whishaw The dynamics between the children. characters are interesting to • Campion’s Keats is engaged • What does Mrs Brawne want for watch. Brown and Keats are poetic by the beauty of life and the her children? companions and friends but Brown burdens of being human. When and Fanny are social combatants. does Campion make us aware of • Writing as Mrs Brawne, compose Fanny may be the bossy older sister Keats’ sensitivity? a letter to Mrs Dilke about her but Samuel and Toots’ loyalty to her concerns for her eldest daughter. • How would Fanny describe is beyond question. While Keats is Keats? Samuel and Margaret (Toots) yet to win over the critics, the Dilkes – Thomas Brodie-Sangster and their social circle admire his • How would Brown describe and Edie Martin poetry. Keats seems to be at his Keats? happiest when he is in the company Samuel and Toots are Fanny’s Fanny Brawne – Abbie Cornish of the Brawne family. younger brother and sister. Fanny is young and impetuous • Compile an analysis of one of • When does Campion show that when she first meets Keats. Her these relationships. Draw on Samuel and Toots want to please relationship with Keats causes her both moments and statements and protect Fanny? to mature. Fanny goes from being from Bright Star to support your the minx to someone with great • When does Campion show that analysis. gravitas. Samuel and Toots love Keats? • How does Campion portray • ‘Shush, or I’ll cut your hair in the Minor characters family life? night’ – Fanny – Maria Dilke When does Fanny show herself to – Charles Dilke be the bossy older sister? – Tom Keats – Joseph Severn • When does Campion make us – John Reynolds aware that Fanny is courageous? – The Reynolds sisters • Writing as Brown, compose a – Leigh Hunt letter to Keats that expresses his – Abigail opinion of Fanny and attempts to • What part do the persuade Keats to bring an end to minor characters the romance. play in shaping Charles Brown – Paul Schneider our knowledge Brown is abrasive and abrupt and towards Fanny but generous and understanding protective towards Keats. of the story told by Bright • Why is Brown so resentful of Star? Fanny’s presence in Keats’ life?
• ‘Your writing is the finest thing in my life.’ – Brown
When does Campion convey Brown’s admiration of, commitment to and love for Keats?
SCREEN EDUCATION 13 Discussing Setting The basket of biscuits, the pillow Discussing case, the valentine message, production values The main geographic setting of Keats’ letters, the butterflies, the Bright Star is Hampstead Village, Understanding Bright Star involves nightingale, the key to the chest North London. Campion takes us an investigation of filmmaking containing Keats’ possessions and to Elm Cottage, where the Brawnes techniques employed in telling Keats’ gifts to the Brawnes all carry first lived and Wentworth House, the the story. The way in which the symbolic meaning. house that Brown and Keats shared film is constructed is a matter of with the Brawnes. Other settings • What other symbols can be camera angles and shots, framing, include Well Walk, Keats’ room in added to this list? editing, sound, lighting, set design, Kentish Town and the paths and costumes, make-up and props. Choose five symbols that you fields of Hampstead Heath. regard as significant. Match each • Working with a partner, select a • Consider the use of these symbol with a quotation from the scene and complete an analysis different settings and explain what film. Write a brief explanation of of the production values of each setting contributes to the why each symbol is significant. the scene. Use a PowerPoint telling of the story. slide presentation to share your • Visit the Bright Star website and findings with others in the class. Discussing symbols download or draw the image of one of the love letters onto a • How does Campion use silence to A symbol is a thing that represents square of paper. Fold the paper to tell the lovers’ story? or stands for something else make the shape of a star (just like beyond it. The thing is often a • Examine and discuss Campion’s the letters on the website). material object that is used to use of still frames. represent an idea.
SCREEN EDUCATION 14 • What recurring visual images does the filmmaker use? What ideas do these images reinforce? Online The official website for Bright Star
More information about Bright Star can be found on the Internet Movie Database at
View the trailer for Bright Star at
• What judgements do the reviewers make about Bright Star? Do you agree with the views expressed in the reviews?
• Complete a detailed analysis of one of the reviews that you have located. Your response should address the following questions:
• What is the purpose of the review?
• Who is the intended audience of the review?
• What views are expressed about Bright Star?
• What evidence is provided to support these views?
• What values and assumptions inform the reviewer’s views?
• Do you agree with the reviewer’s interpretation of Bright Star?
• Write a review of Bright Star. Draw on the structure and features of other film reviews to develop your review.
SCREEN EDUCATION 15 Bright Star Respond Jane Campion Filmography References • ‘Bright Star is a story of first love.’ Jane Campion was born in John Keats: The Major Works, edited Discuss. Wellington, New Zealand, and now with an introduction and notes by lives in Sydney, Australia. Having Elizabeth Cook, Oxford World’s • ‘Bright Star is a portrait of love and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Classics, 2001. loss.’ Discuss. Anthropology from Victoria University John Keats: Selected Letters, • ‘This is life, things of immense of Wellington in 1975, and a Bachelor introduction by Jon Mee and edited beauty and things of great pain.’ of Arts, with a painting major, at by Robert Gittings, Oxford World’s Use this claim to discuss the story Sydney College of the Arts in 1979, Classics, 2002. told by Bright Star. Campion started making films in the early 1980s at the Australian Andrew Motion, Keats: A Biography, • ‘Bright Star reveals the life-altering Film Television and Radio School in Faber and Faber, 1997. power of love.’ Discuss. Sydney. She is now regarded as an internationally successful filmmaker.
Her credits as a director and producer include:
Peel (1982) Passionless Moments (1983) A Girl’s Own Story (1984) Two Friends (1986) Sweetie (1989) An Angel at my Table (1990) The Piano (1993) The Portrait of a Lady (1996) Holy Smoke! (1999) In the Cut (2003) Bright Star (2009)
Distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Hopsctoch Films http://www.hopscotchfilms.com.au
This study guide was produced by ATOM. © ATOM 2009 [email protected]
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SCREEN EDUCATION 16 SCHOOL GROUP BOOKINGS > For the first time, Hopscotch Films and Screen Education magazine are offering teachers the chance to organise school group bookings to take their classes and other teachers to see Bright Star before the film opens to the general public on 26 December 2009. Specific dates and times for school group bookings will vary from cinema to cinema, so please contact your nearest cinema below. School group bookings can be made for sessions from 19 October 2009 onwards.
NATIONAL Roseville Cinema, NSW Cinema Nova, VIC Lisa Van Pinxteren Sue Curwood Dendy Cinemas (nationally) 02 9416 8555 03 9347 2573 Anita Huynh [email protected] [email protected] 02 8594 9006 [email protected] QLD Classic Cinema, VIC Maleela Gabriel Jullyan Event / Greater Union / BCC AMC Stafford Cinemas, QLD 03 9524 7922 Cinemas (nationally) Matthew Hanslow maleela.jullyan@readingcinemas. Alice Davies 07 3211 1011 com.au [email protected] [email protected] Hoyts Cinemas, VIC Village Cinemas (nationally) Cineplex Balmoral, QLD Emily Wigney 1300 993 150 Candy Tyler 03 8662 3522 07 3395 6086 [email protected] ACT [email protected] Mornington Cinemas, VIC Hoyts Cinemas, ACT Gold Coast Arts Centre, QLD Ian McCann Rachel Drill Jessica Graham 03 5975 5141 03 8662 3524 07 5588 4000 [email protected] [email protected] Palace Balwyn, Como, George, Kino & Westgarth Cinemas, VIC NSW Palace Cinemas, QLD Tara Williams Dimity Powell 03 9816 1777 Avalon & Collaroy Cinemas, NSW 07 3852 1595 [email protected] 02 9913 2866 [email protected] [email protected] Palace Brighton Bay & Dendy SA Brighton Cinemas, VIC Empire Cinemas Bowral, NSW Catherine Ellis Gerard Hoyts Cinemas, SA 0401 646 721 02 4861 4676 Rebecca Handyside catherine.ellis@palacecinemas. [email protected] 08 8332 7685 com.au [email protected] Hayden Orpheum Cremorne, NSW Sun Theatre Yarraville, VIC Rachell Baker Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, SA Kris Jansson 02 8969 8789 0404 071 717 03 9362 0336 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Hoyts Cinemas, NSW Trak Cinemas, SA WA Elizabeth Vidakovic 08 8361 2353 02 9609 3965 Cygnet Cinema, WA [email protected] TAS Marion Newman 08 9367 1663 Palace Cinemas, NSW Village Cinemas Hobart, TAS [email protected] Tania Lestal 03 6234 7288 02 9346 8799 Hoyts Cinemas, WA [email protected] VIC Danielle Denner 08 9316 0428 Randwick Ritz Cinemas, NSW Cameo Cinemas Belgrave, VIC [email protected] Paula Stevens Anne-Marie Varrasso 02 9399 7758 03 9754 3766 Windsor Cinema, WA [email protected] [email protected] Jessica Braine 08 9386 3554 [email protected]