Two Hands-Revision - PowerPoint Presentation

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Two Hands-Revision

1999

Gregor Jordan1999 – Kings CrossSlide2

Successful introductions

Of course, introduces text

and author/director but more than this it must…

Engage with the essay topic

(BEWARE: make sure you

engage with BOTH parts if it is

a two part question!)

Signpost the main points of the

essay (what you will talk about in

each paragraph

Clearly state the contentionSlide3

Student Sample A

In the black comedy ‘Two Hands” by Australian director Gregor

Jordan, we follow Jimmy’s extensive journey of growth and how he manages to find the light from within his cruel and dark surroundings in Sydney’s Kings Cross. Stuck in the tangled web of illegal activity, hope seems almost lost for Jimmy, but for the two guiding characters who enable him to find his way using his own ‘two hands’. The angelic inspiration that Jimmy finds in country girl Alex acts as motive to leave his criminal life behind, however it is the ghost of Michael, Jimmy’s dead brother, who acts as Jimmy’s conscience for much of the movie who coerces him into following his own ultimately good instincts. Slide4

Your turn…Sample A

What do you think the essay topic is?

Write an appropriate essay prompt.Highlight the contentionList the main paragraph ideas?Slide5

Student Sample BThe concept that no one is entirely “good” or entirely “bad” is interwoven through Gregor Jordan’s 1999 black comedy “Two Hands”. The audience is presented with a wide range of characters, some live by good morals, and others who lead violent and cruel lives, however there is no single person in the film who is completely evil and likewise none are saint-like. For example Jimmy, the protagonist of the film while is in general a decent respectable young man, his poor choices result in him tarnishing his otherwise good character. Pando in contrast the criminal gang head, while readily using violence and cruelly threatening others, occasional glimpses of caring behaviour present him as not an entirely irredeemable character. Even

Acko

, the most malevolent and merciless of all the characters still possess a warped sense of honour and respectable qualities. While the characters live in both honest and immoral ways, there is no character that is entirely “good” or entirely “bad” each in reality their own unique shade of grey.Slide6

Your turn…Sample BWhat do you think the essay topic is? Write an appropriate essay prompt.

Highlight the contention

List the main paragraph ideas?Now, compare sample A and B. In which ways are they similar? In which ways do they differ?

Think deeply…

After reading these introductions create a question about something you are wondering about from some aspect of either of these introductionsSlide7

Planning a text responseThere is no one right way to plan a text response. It is important that you find a planning method that works well for you and then do many, many practice essays to refine your skillsSlide8

Effective body paragraphsSlide9

Effective linking wordsConnecting words

Similarly; equally; compared; an equivalent; in the same way; as with; likewise; also; another; furthermore; moreover; in contrast; paralleling this; equally; in a similar vein; on the other hand; but; whereas; unlike; conversely; nevertheless; alternatively; however; yet; on the contrary; the opposite; instead; otherwise;

accordingly Bridging words Words that create a bridge between evidence and your assertions (opinions, ideas, views on the text)

highlights;

symbolises

; signifies; illustrates; reflects;

emphasises

;

epitomises

; reveals; exposes; evokes; implies; represents; illustrates; proves; exaggerates; reinforces; acknowledges; conjures; illuminates; embodies; demonstrates; exemplifies; parallels; suggests; engenders; encapsulates; hints at; unveils;

reveals

 Slide10

Well crafted sentences to utilise in your writing

The rain

in this scene is a cinematic technique which implies the cleansing of Jimmy’s spirit. Jordan’s

poignant juxtaposition

reveals the

cruelty of the story of these young

children

who first choose to purchase as many lollies as they can with the money they just ‘ripped off’.

Apart from atrocious violence, the most devastating reality of this scene is that Pete was essentially already dead to the world, with no one to mourn for his death but

friend Helen

;

the helplessness of these children is stark. Slide11

The penultimate scene of the film is invaluable in comparing the futures of Jimmy and Helen’s lives. The audience sees Jimmy, strengthened by the support of those who care for him exiting Pando’s den as he crosses paths with

Helen who is walking deeper into the

darkness to commit a mass murder. Helen, having had no one to care for,

takes the descent into complete evil as

the audience observes

a

close-up

shot of the flaming fires of hell in her eyes

.

The character of Jimmy reveals that

with the right people to surround you a chance for a new direction will always make itself apparent. Slide12

The audience is presented with a wide range of characters, some who choose to live by good morals and others who lead violent and cruel lives.

In contrast, Pando, although a criminal gang

leader who readily uses violence and cruelly threatens others, reveals occasional moments of caring behaviour which presents him as not an entirely irredeemable character.

Through the naïve protagonist and fledging criminal Jimmy, Jordan presents the idea that even ’good’ people can still possess a darker

side.

Jimmy’s decision to go for a swim, is a focal point in

Two Hands

that completely dictates the course of the film. Slide13

Jimmy’s immoral behaviour shows that despite his general respectability, even he still has an unethical side. Jordan juxtaposes Jimmy’s violent

nature with glimpses of his kinder personality.

The film Two Hands, directed by Gregor Jordan highlights that seemingly pointless decisions and seemingly disconnected events can prove to be much more influential than we are led to believe.

Jimmy makes a key decision at the beginning of the film that not only changes his life buts sparks into action the entire plot of the movie. Slide14

When we first meet Helen and Pete, Jordan chooses a panning shot of the rubbish dump they live in before resting on a wider view of the two children looking into the background at the rich city life. Acko’s decision to inspect his car after running over a small child manages to be not only one of the most passive decisions but also the most consequential.

The lead character in the film, hopeful, young, strip club worker Jimmy, is a good man, however finds himself trapped, as his poor choices and naiveté sees him descend into a world more evil than he could have imagined, and commit serious crimes as a result. Slide15

Although Pando clearly gains his power and wealth through criminal means, and appears to commit murder and other atrocities without question, his loving relationship with his family and sentimental side is presented to the audience, portraying him as a dangerous yet likeable character. Your turn…

compose your own well-crafted sentence.Slide16

Incorporating film techniques in your writingGregor Jordan hints at the effect that his choice may have in two key ways. First, the shot before he jumps into the water. It is a side shot that shows Jimmy in the profile, wearing a sleeveless vest so as to show his yin and yang tattoo, as he looks over the water. This reminds the audience that Jimmy although an inherently nice guy, has made stupid and unjust decisions (having already agreed to work for Panda) and this pattern will continue. The second way it shows the audience the fate he has brought upon himself is through the underwater shot. In a close up on Jimmy immediately following his dive into the water, the filter of the shot is changed to alter Jimmy’s complexion and hair colour. His look of pallor and significantly yellowed skin and greyed hair completely reflects the appearance of his dead brother Michael, who was also harmed by a run in with Pando. Although Jimmy is not actually killed as a consequence of this decision, the scene does foreshadow the risks, harms and near death experiences that his choice will cause with a seemingly simple decision. Jimmy triggers the events that change his life forever. Slide17
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During the scene where the gang and Jimmy are in the car, Pando exclaims “I love this song” when Burt Bacharach’s “This Guy’s in Love With You’ plays after the radio announcer says ‘this is one for all the lovers out there’. This could be taken as purely humorous, however was a deliberate move by the director to sow the audience that deep down Pando could be a bit of a softy. Director Gregor Jordan has also selected to include short scenes of the gang playing scrabble and chess in the film. On the surface, these brief glimpses into the leisure lives of Pando,

Acko, Wally and Eddy provide some comic relief in the story, however are also important in achieving Jordan’s goal of showing the viewer that even men capable of such sin can still engage in a friendly board game like any good man and possess some agreeable qualities. Slide19

How to use symbolism, images and motifs as evidence in an essaySlide20

ExamplesJimmy becomes a victim of his own naivety and the external pressure to survive.Often we may think we have no choices in our lives.The decisions we make are a result of a combination of factors.

“One careless decision can affect the way the rest of your life will unfold.”Life for those who inhabit the seedy, underworld of King’s Cross is one of reckless violence.

The murky world of Sydney’s streets are mirrored in the very characters themselves.The polluted landscape carries within formidable loss of morality.Slide21

“One simple action can make the difference.”Revenge becomes a violent and destructive force in which few can escape.Recognising and facing our selves and the choices we make is the first step in our moral journey. The lure of ‘easy’ money seems a trap that the characters fall into.

Fate seems to determine the path of many characters iin this film.

The violent world of King’s Cross seems inescapable.Suburbia is ironically portrayed as a place of family and love in a world of decay and immorality.The contrasting settings of the film highlight both the humour and tragedy of the film.The tension between fate/karma and individual choice permeates this film.Slide22

Always use the opening and closing of a text in a written response.Choose two more scenes that you know well and think are integral turning points in the film.

Key scenes that should be consideredSlide23

Example:The shocking violence of the opening of the film plunges the audience into the underworld of Pando’s gang, where guns, money and cars become the symbols and identifying marks of this criminal subculture. Against the disorientating night time setting of bushland,

Jimmy’s bloodied face is in stark contrast to the drab yet cool demeanour of Pando, whose moustache and beige Bermuda shorts might be the garb of the average ‘man next door’ rather than a notorious gang boss.

Gregor Jordan further highlights this paradox through the macabre as Jimmy struggles to remember Deidre’s address. Wally’s polite inquiries to the operator, whilst Jimmy struggles to breathe in the gang’s ever-tightening headlock, takes us deeper into this world of choices, loyalty and betrayal. The comedic element of Acko’s rusted bullets lend further humour and audience relief to this scene as Jimmy utilises the darkness of night and the bush to escape.Slide24
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Quick bits…Best of ‘Two Hands’ – 9 min clip

https

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRHZC4EcOnISlide27

Successful conclusions

Of course,

comes back to theauthor or director but more than this it must…-come back to your contention (What was

the point of your essay)

-leave the reader with some summative / conclusive statements about the

big understandings you reached through

this essay

. Slide28

Example:In ‘Two Hands’ Gregor Jordan examines the run on effects and consequences of decisions and how these choices can completely alter a character’s life. Jordan uses three crucial decisions to signpost the progression of the plot as well as the eventual fate of the characters. Jordan reveals

that “one

wrong decision can really f*** you up”.SAMPLE CONCLUSIONSlide29

Student samples…The film “Two Hands’ encompasses the sense of human experience, Jimmy plays true to the notion that with the right people to surround you a chance for a new direction will always make itself apparent. Ultimately, Jimmy’s journey plays out in cohesion with the title of the film. The strength one can accumulate from being led or by holding the hands of those who care, can empower and enable one’s mind to utilize their own two hands for the better.

Although the characters in the film “Two Hands” possess moral and malevolent traits, there is no person who is entirely ‘good” or completely irredeemable. Jimmy, while being largely honourable in personality, by allowing himself to become involved with crime, he bruises his otherwise “white” character. Pando who is a largely threatening and violent character is still able to retain a sense of decency and compassion despite his cruel nature. Even

Acko, who is by far the most merciless in his intent is capable of demonstrating respectable qualities, showing a small and unlikely but very much existent ‘good side”. Through the actions and interactions of the complex characters the audience sees that everyone has both “a little bit of good” and a “little bit of bad” in them regardless of the quantities

.

Throughout the film “Two Hands”, decisions create run on effects and consequences that completely alter the character’s lives. Three crucial decisions sign post the progression of the plot as well as the eventual fate of the characters. Jimmy went into the ocean which allowed his money to be stolen. Helen and Peter stole his money which caused Pete to be killed.

Acko

ignored his murder which led Helen to seek her revenge. In

Gregor

Jordan’s “Two Hands” every decision could be the choice that changes one’s life forever.Slide30

Essay topicsSelect two scenes from the film and discuss the methods used by the director (Gregor

Jordan) to communicate the key ideas of the film to the audience.

 Acko’s cold blooded attitude to the death of the street kid who was hit by the car demonstrates that this is really a very violent film, in spite of the humour. To what extent do you agree?What

do the scenes of the family lives of the criminals contribute to the effectiveness of the film? Discus at least 2 scenes depicting domestic life in detail in your response.

The

ideas about yin and yang make this film relevant to all human beings, not just criminals. Discuss these ideas with close reference to specific scenes in the film.

In

spite of the swearing the film contains some very clever dialogue. Discuss.

How

is it that

Gregor

Jordan is able to make many of the criminals in

Two Hands

so likeable, when they are responsible for some terrible crimes?

Jordan

shows us that there is little hope for a long, prosperous life for those caught up in the criminal world.’  Discuss.

‘

Alex is Jimmy’s

saviour

.  Without her, Jimmy would never have found his way out of a life of crime.’  Do you agree

?Slide31

“One careless decision can affect the way the rest of your life will unfold.” How is this shown to be true for a number of characters in Two Hands?‘Two Hands

would have more interest for a local audience than it would for an international audience because of its Australian content and style.’  Discuss.

How can a violent gangster movie be funny?  Discuss with close reference to the film.“No one is one hundred per cent bad or one hundred per cent good”.  To what extent is this true of various characters in Two Hands

?

‘

One simple action can make the difference.’ Discuss with reference to the plot and

characterisation

in

Two

Hands

.

What

techniques does the director use to create suspense in

Two

Hands

.

Select

TWO scenes from the film and discuss the methods used by the director,

Gregor

Jordan, to communicate the key ideas of the film to the

audience.

What

do the scenes of the family lives of the criminals contribute to the effectiveness of the film? Discuss in detail at least TWO scenes depicting domestic life in your response.Slide32

You need to think carefully about these questions and modify your approach to achieve your goalsWhat skills do I want to get better at?

What ‘new’ skills do I want to include in this essay?How am I going to that? Slide33

Planning the essaySlide34

Essay topic:1. Break down into key words & synonyms

2. Turn statement into question

None of the characters in

Gregor

Jordan’s

Two Hands

have control over their own destinies. Discuss. Slide35

Contention – what is your point of view on the topic?

While chance contributes to the fates of characters in the film, there are moments when their decisions, whether they be foolish or wise, change the course of events.Slide36

Topic sentences -Be thought provoking, make an assertion!Examples – These demonstrate textual familiarity

Topic sentence – thought provoking, posing ideas worth discussion and analysis

Example

Example

ExampleSlide37

3-4 main ideas = 3-4 body paragraphs

While chance contributes to the fates of characters in the film, there are moments when their decisions, whether they be foolish or wise, change the course of events.

Para# 3: Discussion of decisions fuelled by wisdom that result in positive outcomes??

Topic sentence?

Which Scenes?

Para #2 Discussion of some of the foolish or unwise decisions that result in unfortunate luck

Topic sentence?

Which scenes?

Para#1 Discussion of the significance of “chance” and luck in the text

Topic sentence?

Which scenes?Slide38

What else?????

What Else??? A fourth main body paragraph will elevate you half a grade if it is done well.

Often the “what else” paragraph might be an approach that focuses on film technique/metanarrative.Slide39

Don’t forget the WHAT, HOW, WHY at the heart of your analysis

What – identify technique, scene, moment you will use for discussion

How does the director/writer convey meaning (specify particular techniques, sections of dialogue, elements of mis en scene)Why – explain WHY this is important. Why did you include this in the essay?Slide40

EXAMPLE OF WHAT, HOW, WHY?

Gregor Jordan orchestrates the

mis en scene when we meet Jimmy and Les in front of the strip joint, in order to evoke the criminal hierarchy that is emerging for both characters.

By placing Les in front of the mannequin with swivelling tassels on her nipples,

Jordan hopes that we will be inclined to see the mockery he is making of Les' character and his position in the underworld pecking order

.

Jimmy, on the other hand, stands in front of the ascending stairs in neon; he is, as Les remarks, "on his way" and doing his first paid job for

Pando.

This is significant because it is Jordan’s way of signposting the notion that this film is an exploration of social structures within the criminal world. He wants us to understand that what Jimmy is pursuing is desirable to he and his peers, and at this moment, attainable.

Your turn…

Write a

topic sentence and linking sentence…. How do we connect this material to the topic?Slide41

With topic sentence, transitions and linking sentencesThere are moments in the film when characters seem in control of their fate. At the start of the film Jimmy is represented as someone at the bottom of the hierarchy and he is in control of his future, ascending into his future.

Gregor

Jordan orchestrates the mis en scene when we meet Jimmy and Les in front of the strip joint, in order to evoke the criminal hierarchy

that is emerging for both characters.

By placing Les in front of the mannequin with swivelling tassels on her nipples,

Jordan hopes that we will be inclined to see the mockery he is making of Les' character and his position in the underworld pecking order.

Jimmy, on the other hand, stands in front of the ascending stairs in neon; he is, as Les remarks, "on his way" and doing his first paid job for

Pando

. This

is significant because it is Jordan’s way of signposting the notion that this film is an exploration of social structures within the criminal world. He wants us to

understand

that what Jimmy is pursuing is desirable to he and his peers, and at this moment, attainable.

TRANSITION??

Although it seems individuals have a lack of authority regarding events which are yet to occur, they do have some autonomy.