A STUDY GUIDE by Katy Marriner
http://www.metromagazine.com.au
http://www.theeducationshop.com.au Teacher Notes Boy
Boy (2010) is a New Zealand feature film directed by Taika Waititi Suitable for senior secondary students undertaking English, Literature and Media Length 87 minutes
Teachers may also find the film relevant telling his pet goat Leaf about his own Zealand. He has been involved in the arts to units of work for middle secondary exploits, such as getting a hickey from the for several years, working as a visual art- students in the following VELS domains: girl of his dreams, Chardonnay. In between ist, actor, writer and director. Waititi’s first • English he suffers the local bullies, his mean aunty short film,Two Cars, One Night (2003), was • Arts and his frustrating younger brother. nominated for an Academy Award in 2005. • Media Rocky spends his days being weird, His next short, Tama tu (2005), told the • Humanities hanging out with his dead mother at the story of a group of Maori soldiers in Italy • Physical, Personal and Social Learning cemetery and working on controlling his during World War II and went on to win a In completing the tasks, students will have magic powers, the ones he believes put string of international awards, making it demonstrated the ability to: his mother there. also eligible for Oscar nomination. His first • analyse the construction of a film and Alamein has recently been released feature, Eagle vs Shark, was released inter- comment on the ways it represents an after serving seven years in prison for nationally in 2007 after being picked up by interpretation of ideas and experiences robbing the gas station. He has a cool Miramax on the basis of a trailer. • respond to a film both personally and car, a leather jacket, loves samurai war- Waititi started developing Boy soon in detached and critical ways riors and is starting his own gang – The after finishing Two Cars, One Night. It first • rationally discuss and compare an- Crazy Horses (so far there are only three emerged as a film called Choice (a slang other culture and cultural differences members but that’s not the point). He is word popular in the eighties that has since • evaluate the creative and cultural also infatuated with the movie E.T.: The been replaced by cool, wicked, awesome, impact of a film Extra-Terrestrial. mean and, eventually, by choice again). • use their own texts to explore con- Apart from dealing with Boy’s bullies, Instead of making Boy, he went on to cepts and ideas and to clarify their giving him love advice and relating the en- make Eagle vs Shark and continued to own and others’ understanding. tire plot of E.T., Alamein has another plan. develop the screenplay for Boy over the Teachers are advised to direct students He enlists the help of Boy to dig up the next three years. to complete subject-relevant and age- neighbouring paddock to find the money Waititi has a strong background in appropriate activities. Teachers should also he hid after the robbery. The only problem comedy writing and performing, and with be aware that Boy has scenes containing is he can’t remember how many steps fellow comedian Jemaine Clement (Flight moderate violence and coarse language. from the fencepost marks the spot or even of the Conchords) has won New Zealand’s There are also references to illicit drugs which fencepost it was. But finding this top comedy award, the Billy T, and the and alcohol. treasure will mean a new life for Boy and Spirit of the Fringe Award in Edinburgh. Rocky in the city. Synopsis So now, between trying to impress the Director’s statement The year is 1984, and on the rural east girl of his dreams and caring for the mot- ‘Boy is my first feature film. I see Eagle vs coast of New Zealand Thriller is changing ley crew of younger cousins, Boy diligently Shark as my second film. I learned a lot kids’ lives. tries to please his father. But the harder he on the project but it’s a film I made so that Boy is a dreamer who loves Michael tries, the worse things get. I could take people by surprise, because Jackson. He lives with his brother Rocky, Before the summer is out, Boy is it wasn’t the film they were expecting a tribe of deserted cousins and his nan. forced to confront the man he thought he from me. Boy’s other hero, his father Alamein, remembered, find his own potential and Set in a rural Maori community in the is the subject of Boy’s fantasies, and he learn to get along without the hero he had Bay of Plenty, Boy is an eleven-year-old imagines him as a deep-sea diver, war been hoping for. boy’s journey to knowing and understand- hero and close relation of Michael Jackson ing the adult world of which he will one (he can even dance like him). In reality, Director’s profile day become a part. Boy is a character he’s ‘in the can’. Taika Waititi, also known as Taika Cohen, who invents memories to make sense of Boy spends his days telling tall tales is of Te Whanau-a-Apanui descent and his place in the world. He tries to better his about his dad’s exploits and his nights hails from the Raukokore region of New existence vicariously through the made-
CREDITS – Writer/Director Taika Waititi. Producers Ainsley Gardiner, Cliff Curtis, Emanuel Michael Co-Producer Merata Mita Associate Producer Richard Fletcher Production Company Whenua Films | Unison Films Cast James Rolleston (Boy), Te Aho Eketone-Whitu (Rocky), Taika Waititi (Alamein), Moerangi Tihore (Dynasty), Cherilee Martin (Kelly), RickyLee Waipuka-Russell (Chardonnay), Haze Reweti (Dallas), Maakariini Butler (Murray), Rajvinder Eria (Tane), Manihera Rangiuaia (Kingi), Darcy Ray Flavell- Hudson (Holden), Rachel House (Aunty Gracey), Waihoroi Shortland (Weirdo), Cohen Holloway (Chuppa), Pana Hema Taylor (Juju), Tuhoro Ranihera Christie (Mr Nepia), Craig Hall (Mr Langston), Mavis Paenga (Nan), Ngapaki Emery (Mum), Ngaru-toa Puru (Che), Hoanihuhi Takotohiwi (Hucks), Tainui Callaghan (Kiko), Manaia Callaghan (Miria), Montana Te Kani-Williams (Falcon Crest) up exploits of his absent father, Alamein. When Alamein returns, Boy is forced to reinvent his world, memories and self so he can become a young man. Like Boy, I draw a lot of inspiration from true and imagined memories. This story is personal in that I believe you must write what you know in order to create honest art. Some events are true, some true of other people, most are imagined. Part of what makes this film distinct is the humour; I want to explore the painful comedy of growing up and interpreting the world. I believe that despite our faults and inadequacies, through all pain and heartache, there is still room to laugh. I think that’s what makes my films differ- ent, the feeling that although there is often darkness, there are also little bits of light to encourage hope and hold on to possibility.’ Links
Boy Boy (2010) is a New Zealand feature film directed by Taika Waititi
Alamein has recently been released after serving seven Synopsis years in prison for robbing the gas station. He has a cool car, a leather jacket, loves samurai warriors and is starting his own gang – The Crazy Horses (so far there are only three The year is 1984, and on the rural east coast of New Zea- members but that’s not the point). He is also infatuated with land Thriller is changing kids’ lives. the movie E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.
Boy is a dreamer who loves Michael Jackson. He lives with Apart from dealing with Boy’s bullies, giving him love advice his brother Rocky, a tribe of deserted cousins and his nan. and relating the entire plot of E.T., Alamein has another plan. He enlists the help of Boy to dig up the neighbouring pad- Boy’s other hero, his father Alamein, is the subject of Boy’s dock to find the money he hid after the robbery. The only fantasies, and he imagines him as a deep-sea diver, war problem is he can’t remember how many steps from the hero and close relation of Michael Jackson (he can even fencepost marks the spot or even which fencepost it was. dance like him). In reality he’s ‘in the can’. But finding this treasure will mean a new life for Boy and Rocky in the city. Boy spends his days telling tall tales about his dad’s exploits and his nights telling his pet goat Leaf about his own ex- So now, between trying to impress the girl of his dreams and ploits, such as getting a hickey from the girl of his dreams, caring for the motley crew of younger cousins, Boy diligently Chardonnay. In between he suffers the local bullies, his tries to please his father. But the harder he tries, the worse
mean aunty and his frustrating younger brother. things get. SCREEN EDUCATION
Rocky spends his days being weird, hanging out with his Before the summer is out, Boy is forced to confront the man dead mother at the cemetery and working on controlling his he thought he remembered, find his own potential and learn magic powers, the ones he believes put his mother there. to get along without the hero he had been hoping for.
4 SCREEN EDUCATION 5 Which moments made you feel sad? Which moments made you laugh? • • Who was you favourite character? Did you enjoy Boy? • • First Impressions SCREEN EDUCATION 6 Share your answers to these questions with others in the Share class. Who am I? world. My ‘My name is Boy and welcome to my interesting favourite person is Michael Jackson. He is the best singer and dancer in the world. Last month he put out a record called Thriller. It sold a gazillion copies and now he lives in He is so famous that a castle with a snake and a monkey. you can see him in the stars. I live in a white house with my Miria, Che and Kiko. I have nanny and cousins Hucks, Kelly, brother a pet goat called Leaf and I also have a six-year-old got powers. He doesn’t. He thinks he’s called Rocky. gone, my nan went away to a funeral. While she’s Yesterday of the house. I’m in charge School. I have many favourite subjects, I go to Raukokore including Art, Social Studies and Michael Jackson. My They also have a Dallas and her sister Dynasty. friends are Dynasty is the only girl around sister called Falcon Crest. for work gardening with a job. She does after-school here She has lots of sister. her dad. Aunty Gracey is my mum’s the tennis coach, the mailman, the school bus jobs. She’s driver and she runs the local shop. name is Alamein. I’m named after my dad and he’s My real the Maori Battalion fought named after some place where What are the messages of Boy? What are Which moments made you feel worried for Boy and Which moments made you feel worried Rocky? • • SCREEN EDUCATION 7 ‘How was Japan?’ (Rocky) Rocky and Alamein Boy, The story ends at the cemetery. grave. What conclusions can we make sit at Joanie’s Do you think this was an apt future? about the family’s way to end the film? • Boy? ? What connections can be be can connections What ? > > > > > > > > > begins with the above quotation quotation above the with begins Boy E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial The E.T.: ‘You could be happy here … we could grow up together.’ … we could grow could be happy here ‘You think you do Why in told story the and quotation this between made from from Working as a class, make a list of key scenes. as a class, make a list of key Working make a detailed analysis of in a small group, Working key scenes. Use the following questions one of the film’s selected. to make notes about the scene you have What is the scene about? Why is the scene significant? How does the filmmaker use film elements to convey meaning? What does Boy’s speech reveal about his sense of self about his sense speech reveal What does Boy’s of his world? and his understanding am I?’ minute ‘Who write your own three Just like Boy, speech. • > > > > > > > > > • Key scenes • • • The end.’ (Boy) during World War II. Dad’s brothers and sisters are Faenza, are and sisters brothers II. Dad’s War during World not here My dad’s and Michael Jackson. and Libya Tunisia - the cap a deep-sea diver, a master carver, He’s right now. punching for holds the record rugby team and he tain of the with the one hand. When he comes out the most people – live. taking me to see Michael Jackson home, he’s SCREEN EDUCATION 8 Choose three adjectives to describe the main characters. main the describe to adjectives three Choose with a peer and then with the your responses Compare class. the main regard How do the filmmakers position us to characters? What statement does Boy make about family? What statement does
Characters • BOY ROCKY ALAMEIN • Boy • What statement does Boy make about childhood? Which theme do you think is the most significant? Why? Which theme do you think is the most significant? Share your ideas with others in the class and add some Share of their ideas to your list of themes. Boy. in themes explored Name three • • s Theme SCREEN EDUCATION 9 Kelly, Chardonnay, Dallas, Murray, Tane, Kingi, Holden, Tane, Dallas, Murray, Chardonnay, Kelly, Chuppa, Juju, Hucks, Che, Kiko, Weirdo, Aunty Gracey, Nan, Mr Nepia, Mr Langston Miria, Falcon Crest, Who was your favourite minor character? Why? What do we learn about Boy and Rocky’s mother? What do we learn about Boy and Rocky’s • • Alamein Rocky SCREEN EDUCATION 10 When do we see Boy behaving irresponsibly? Do you think Boy is expected to be too responsible? Do you think Boy is expected to be too Write a list of Boy’s responsibilities. a list of Boy’s Write What were your responsibilities when you were eleven eleven when you were your responsibilities What were years old? • • • • Boy is eleven years old. a description of you at that age. Write Draw a mind map that shows Boy’s relationships with his relationships Draw a mind map that shows Boy’s include Leaf in should probably family and friends. You map by placing the mind map as well. Begin your mind the middle of your page and in name in a circle Boy’s relationships to explain his and words then use arrows with his family and friends. the character called created Why do you think Waititi Weirdo? Write a detailed character profile of your favourite minor of your favourite character profile a detailed Write character. Responsibility • Developing an interpretation • • • SCREEN EDUCATION 11 > > > > > > > > > > Why does Rocky think he has magic powers? Why is Why does Rocky think he has magic powers? this idea so important to him? as a class, make a list of the qualities of a good Working parent? ‘I have to watch out for my powers.’ (Rocky) ‘I have to watch out powers? some of Rocky’s What are thers and sons Fa • > > > > > > > > > > • ‘Hey Chardonnay, want to see some Michael Jackson ‘Hey Chardonnay, dance moves?’ (Boy) Boy worships Michael Jackson. your eleven? Share Who did you worship when you were stories with the class. Boy thinks of Alamein as a hero. Describe the fantasy dad that Boy has imagined. Why does Rocky spend so much time at the cemetery? Why does Rocky spend so much time at What does Boy learn about the adult world when Ala- mein comes to stay? Some might say that Boy is more responsible than Ala- than responsible say that Boy is more Some might do you think? mein. What • Heroes and superheroes • • • • SCREEN EDUCATION 12 How would you define potential? Has anyone ever told you that you have potential? How would you define your potential? a personal narrative about potential. Write Do you think Alamein has potential? What does Boy decide potential is? Do you think Alamein has what it takes to be the dad it takes to be the dad Alamein has what Do you think Rocky need? that Boy and • Setting the scene Bay in 1984. Boy is set in Waihau • Potential – just like his Mr Langston tells Boy that he has potential age. Boy looks up the meaning dad had when he was Boy’s He is none the wiser. of potential in the dictionary. • ‘I will spend more time with those boys. Quality time.’ ‘I will spend more (Alamein) in a gang called The Crazy Horses. He insists Alamein’s in on being called Shogun. He drives his car as if he’s The Dukes of Hazzard. He smokes too much dope and other people. things you steal off are he thinks presents ‘Alamein is the greatest dad in the world. Just not in this ‘Alamein is the greatest world.’ - This claim about Alamein can be found on one the pro motional posters for Boy. Do you think it is an apt description of Alamein? ‘I thought I was like you but I’m not. I don’t have any ‘I thought I was like you but I’m not. I don’t potential.’ (Boy) When does Alamein disappoint Boy? ‘Find my shit. So I can get the hell out of here.’ (Alamein) hell out of here.’ So I can get the ‘Find my shit. back for the money? Alamein only comes Do you think with the class. answer to this question your Share little Shogun.’ (Boy) ‘Just call me Boy? Alamein impress When does • • • • • SCREEN EDUCATION 13 Imagine you had the opportunity to interview the film’s Imagine you had the opportunity to interview the film’s Compile a list of five questions you Waititi. Taika director, would like to ask him about the making of Boy. different to other films that you have What makes Boy different watched? Write a description of one of the exterior settings. Write story. Explain how this setting is used to tell the • Making the film • Boy. > > > > > > > > Working as a class, make a list of the most significant as a class, make a list of the Working settings. What do we learn about society circa 1984? What do we learn society circa about What’s life like in Waihua Bay? in Waihua life like What’s Write a description of one of the interior settings. Explain Write how this setting is used to tell the story. Taika Waititi uses a variety of settings to tell the story of of story the tell to settings of variety a uses Waititi Taika • > > > > > > > > • • SCREEN EDUCATION 14 ? Boy ‘Like Boy, I draw a lot of inspiration from true and im- I draw a lot of inspiration from ‘Like Boy, in that I believe agined memories. This story is personal honest to create you must write what you know in order true, some true of other people, art. Some events are Waititi) imagined.’ (Taika most are a writer should claim that with Waititi’s Do you agree think he write about what they know? What do you means by ‘honest art’? Visit the website for Boy to see what the critics think Visit reviews as they of the film. Read the quotations from display on the home page. Do these claims match your opinion of Boy? Symbolism is when something is used to represent is used to represent is when something Symbolism to add to the viewer’s else and can be used something Symbolism can of a theme or character. understanding or subtle. be obvious in appear that symbols more or one name you Can • Reading and writing film reviews • • . Boy Spend time discussing the way animation is used in in used is animation way the discussing time Spend What meanings do the animation sequences convey? ‘Part of what makes this film distinct is the humour; I ‘Part of what makes up and comedy of growing the painful want to explore I believe that despite our faults the world. interpreting all pain and heartache, there and inadequacies, through my films what makes I think that’s to laugh. is still room is often dark- although there the feeling that different, bits of light to encourage hope also little are ness, there Waititi) (Taika and hold on to possibility.’ of how humour explanation Waititi’s Having considered - is used to tell the story of Boy, find dialogue and mo the film that support this claim. ments from effective? Did you find the animation sequences • • • Write a review of Boy. Draw on your responses to other questions and tasks to help you write your review. Your review should offer information about the film and your evaluation of the film’s worth. Your review should begin with a title. Below the title you Presenting an interpretation should provide the name of the film and a rating. Men- tion the director by name as well as the genre. Use your notes to write a text response that discusses the You will need to name the subject of the film. Provide following statement: your reader with a synopsis of what happens in the film. After the synopsis, go into detail about what you ‘Alamein is a warning of what Boy could become, yet he is thought of the film. What did you like? Why? What didn’t also the crucial catalyst for Boy’s change.’ (Taika Waititi) you like? Why? You will need to mention the people featured by name. You should comment on how the film- Do you agree? maker has portrayed the subject of the film. You should comment on how the filmmaker has used production Your text response should be 500–750 words in length and elements. should draw on specific evidence from the film. Spend some time reading reviews of feature films before you begin. Create
Online Make a digital story about one of your parents or guard- ians. As in Boy, your focus should be your perception of the • Spend a lesson exploring the official website for Boy. person and your perception of their place in your life. • Watch the Boy trailer at
Further information about digital stories can be found on the website of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Film Review Competition
This year, students will not only get the chance to experience quality international cinema. They’ll also get to try their hands at being film critics! In conjunction with Smiggle, MIFF is running a film review contest for its Next Gen program. All participants will receive Smiggle gift packs, and the best reviewer will win a prize pack and have their review displayed on the MIFF website. For more details, go to
The Melbourne International Film festival is proud to present Boy as part of its Next Gen program. July 22 – August 8.
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