Director: Bruce Beresford

Fact-based recounting of a group of women who are imprisoned on the island of Sumatra by the Japanese during World War II and used music as a relief to their misery.

Themes Presented Friendship Brutality of war Courage Hope

Friendship Throughout the movie most of the women in the camp stick together and risk their lives for each other. It is seen in the scene where one of the women sneaks out of the camp to trade so she can get medicine for the women in the camp.

Brutality of War The Brutality of war is shown throughout the whole movie as the Japanese have the women stand in the sun. They make them shower in the open. They make beat them and let them die. It is shown within the scene where they burn one of the women alive and make the other women and children stand and watch. The Japanese stand and watch calmly with no emotion.

Courage Courage is shown through the women when they form their group. Even though they aren’t allowed to have any meetings they still manage to bring together the women and perform. It is also shown when the woman sneaks out of the camp to get a trade for the other women. (This also shows friendship)

Hope Hope is represented through the women when they come together and sing. They also perform to the people at the camp. This is also shown in the shoehorn sonata when the women sing as it gives them the feeling of hope.

How is it presented? Close up of the women’s faces.  horror Long Shot.  Allows a view of bigger picture and full impact of the situation. Full body close up of the Woman as she burns.  Shows the brutality  Horror expressed on her face  desperation Long shot and close up of the Japanese men:  They are Calm showing that what they are doing has no effect on them. Scene: Woman burned alive. Theme: Brutality of war.

How it links to distinctively visual Through the camera angles/shots and the expressions on the faces of the women. The sound effects of the screams as the woman is burnt. The music that is played (spooky music/ sounds)