4. Discovering Hope Pi discovers a surreal peace once he faces reality Life of Pi Film Study PPT 4

Pi chooses a voyage of discovery... In a Film Study essay, you do not need to refer to the novel. The extracts below from the novel, in the blue boxes, have been included to give context to some of the images within the film. They help us understand how Ang Lee, the director, uses his images to convey these ideas .

A midshot, centre-screen depicts Pi, having lost all but the tiger, distraught and alone

A midshot, centre-screen of Richard Parker again replaces Pi in the shot, alluding to their connection.

A close-up of the clouds passing in front of the moon symbolises Pi's despair.

The choice to discover... The midshot of Pi illustrates his despair.  An identically composed shot of Richard Parker suggests Pi has emotionally disappeared and a close-up of the clouds covering the moon symbolises his loss of hope.

Pi's isolation and despair are depicted in a wide shot of Richard Parker and Pi adrift on the vast ocean.

In contrast, an identically composed shot reveals the dawn, symbolising renewal and hope.

A gentle cross-fade suggests a sense of Pi's peace as the magical realism of the overhead shot with its surreal lighting conveys a sense of perspective and spirituality.

But Pi rediscovers hope and spirituality But Pi rediscovers hope and spirituality.  A wide shot of him drifting on the ocean gives way to another identical composition with a golden rising sun.  The warm filter and sunrise symbolise the rediscovery of hope.  A gentle cross-fade into an aerial shot of Pi floating on his raft suggests his out-of-body experience and his discovery or realisation of his own insignificance.  Instead of being alarmed by his discovery, the still water and gentle music suggest he finds comfort in seeing himself as part of a much bigger picture.

The blurring of the boundaries between sky and land is a motif throughout the film, suggesting the quest to discover the connection between the physical life (symbolised by the earth and sea) and the spiritual life (symbolised by the sky).

Throughout the film, the lines between earth and sky are blurred to represent the connection between our physical (earthly) selves and our spiritual (sky) selves.  It is this connection that Pi hopes to rediscover (or discover?) for himself within this frightening new landscape. Aerial shots depicting Pi dwarfed by his landscape convey Pi's discovery of his own insignificance within the universe.

A low angle, close-up of Pi peering into the lifeboat at Richard Parker suggests Pi's readiness to discover and accept his inner, more primal self.

An extreme close-up of Richard Parker's eyes creates an intimate connection.

Pi's newfound hope leads him to find the strength to face himself and his situation.  The low-angle close-up of Pi looking in at Richard Parker and the close-up of the tiger's eyes demonstrate Pi's readiness to embark on this journey of discovery and the revelations it brings.  This is confirmed by his prayer in his dialogue:  "I am your vessel.  Whatever comes, I want to know.  Show me." Pi's dialogue and the shot composition reflecting clouds, emphasises Pi's choice to discover his spiritual self by facing and undertaking his ordeal.