Genre in ‘Boy’

Defining genre Films or novels can be classified by the genre they belong to. Each genre has a recognisable set of conventions It is possible for a film to belong to more than one genre, for example the recently created Iranian Vampire Western (which sounds awesome)

Genre in ‘Boy’ In order to determine a film’s genre, we need to look at the conventions which are followed. Based on our first viewing of the film, choose two genres from the list below that best describe the film AdventureFantasyDramaComedy Coming-of-ageHistoryDocumentaryWestern

Comedy WAITITI: …my background is comedy—I couldn't ignore that, really. There were so many things I wanted to put in the story I found funny from growing up in those times. New Zealand was such a weird place in the 1980s. In groups, list the events in the film you found funny

Comedy WAITITI: 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. Why is comedy necessary to this film?

Drama WAITITI: The first draft was a lot more dramatic. I took it to the Sundance Lab, and they liked it, but I just felt like it wasn't right. I recognized that the script, as it was, was too much like other New Zealand films that had been made. It was kind of falling into a traditional New Zealand genre. In what ways does the film fit drama?

In some ways, "Boy" is the less depressing version of Lee Tamahori's "Once Were Warriors," which explored modern life for the Maori in New Zealand as bleak, violent and broken. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Support your answer with specific references to the text

Drama and Comedy Waititi says. “The original script was very dramatic; it could have gone to Cannes if I had killed the children or made them diamond miners. But my sensibility is rooted in comedy which is why it had to become a mix of light and dark. In that way it becomes more human, more real. Life is always a perfect balance of comedy and tragedy, it’s never always a barrel of laughs and never completely depressing. Unless you’re a diamond mining kid.”

Balancing the light and dark If the film only dealt with the dramatic, what would the effect be on the audience? And likewise, if it was all comedy what would the effect be?

Balancing light and dark What is shown in this shot? Whose perspective is it showing? What does it show us about the character’s perception? In what way does it belong to the drama genre?

Balancing light and dark What is shown in this shot? How does it belong to the comedy genre? What is the purpose of including this event?

Balancing the light and dark Films follow rhythms or patterns. Often recognisable pattern is used to achieve a balance between the two elements How is the balance achieved? Look at the list of funny events that you have listed. What precedes or follows these events? (Use the plot and narrative structure handout to help you)

Balance Why do film makers intersperse the dramatic with lighter events?

Coming of age “An adolescent (or group thereof) goes through a challenging series of bittersweet experiences. He’s forced to put away childish things, emerging a little bruised, sadder but wiser, and more prepared for the travails of adulthood.” To what extent does this film fit the coming og age genre? ‘Boy’ has been described as a coming of age story for both the father and son. In what way does Alamein grow over the course of the film?