Lion Film Analysis Practice Flashcards
What does the symbolism ‘ butterflies’ mean in the film lion, and write a paragraph
In Lion (2016), butterflies symbolize transformation, hope, and the power of memory, underscoring Saroo’s emotional journey. They appear during key moments, such as when young Saroo is lost, foreshadowing his personal metamorphosis from a helpless child to a resilient adult. Butterflies also reflect the fragile nature of identity, as Saroo navigates between his birth family and adoptive life. Their reappearance during pivotal scenes represents his internal awakening and connection to his past, driving home the film’s central theme: that rediscovering one’s roots is essential for personal healing and self-acceptance.
How does ‘fork and spoon’ drive meaning. Write a paragraph
In Lion (2016), the fork and spoon symbolize the cultural differences and identity conflict Saroo experiences between his adoptive Australian family and his Indian origins. Early in the film, young Saroo struggles with using utensils, reflecting his initial discomfort in adapting to a foreign culture. This contrast highlights his journey of assimilation and the tension between two worlds—his past in India and his present in Australia. As Saroo grows, his ability to navigate these two identities reflects his transformation, with the fork and spoon serving as subtle reminders of the broader theme: balancing the new self with the old and finding belonging in both.
How do train tracks drive meaning? Write a paragraph
In Lion (2016), train tracks symbolize both separation and connection, reflecting the duality of loss and reunion in Saroo’s journey. As a child, Saroo is accidentally carried far from home on a train, symbolizing the uncontrollable forces that tear him away from his family and past. However, train tracks also represent the path to reconciliation, as his eventual search for home relies on retracing the same routes. This recurring imagery underscores the film’s message about life’s unpredictability, where moments of disconnection can, over time, become pathways to rediscovery and belonging.
Write an open analysis paragraph on the film lion
Lion (2016), directed by Garth Davis, is a biographical drama that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of memory. The film follows Saroo, a young boy separated from his family in rural India, who is later adopted by an Australian couple. As an adult, Saroo embarks on an emotional journey to reconnect with his lost past using fragmented memories and modern technology. Through its use of powerful symbolism—such as train tracks, butterflies, and utensils—the film delves into the complexities of cultural displacement and personal transformation. Ultimately, Lion highlights the importance of family, both biological and chosen, while portraying the resilience required to bridge the gap between two identities.
According to the Essay Question ‘How does Saroo portray struggle to find his identity and belonging?’ Write the first opening paragraph
In ‘Lion’, Davis effectively uses visual imagery and symbolism to convey Saroo’s emotional journey of identity and belonging. One of the most emotionally impactful scenes occurs when Saroo, as a child, becomes lost at the train station. The overwhelming emptiness of the station emphasizes his isolation. Davis uses wide-angle shots to frame Saroo as a small figure in a vast, unfamiliar environment, highlighting his vulnerability. The desaturated lighting further emphasizes his confusion and fear, mirroring the emotional distance from his home and family. This visual portrayal of Saroo’s lostness symbolizes his separation from his roots, foreshadowing the emotional and physical journey he will undertake to reconnect with his past. Through these techniques, Davis vividly illustrates the theme of lost identity and the need for belonging, central to Saroo’s character development throughout the film.
Write the first paragraph with Saroo’s struggle with identity and belonging?
The film Lion portrays Saroo’s struggle with identity and belonging through his experiences of isolation and fear as a child, especially after becoming lost. Saroo’s separation from his family marks the beginning of his identity crisis, leaving him emotionally adrift in unfamiliar environments. The film’s techniques highlight how disconnection from his roots triggers his initial fear and alienation, laying the foundation for his lifelong search for belonging. The director uses wide-angle shots to emphasize Saroo’s vulnerability at the train station, showing him as a small figure in a vast, indifferent space. The station’s desaturated lighting conveys confusion, underscoring the depth of Saroo’s fear. When Saroo cries, “Guddu!” the overwhelming emptiness around him and the absence of any reply reflect his emotional isolation, emphasizing the helplessness he feels in that moment. By highlighting Saroo’s fear and separation through powerful visuals, the film introduces his struggle with identity, as this traumatic experience leaves him searching for a sense of belonging throughout his life.
Write the second paragraph or closing paragraph for Saroo’s struggle with identity and belonging?
The climax of Lion captures Saroo’s struggle with belonging through his emotional journey of rediscovery, as he finally confronts his need to reconnect with his birth family. Saroo’s search for his biological family becomes a metaphor for his internal journey toward self-acceptance, as he realizes that embracing both his Indian heritage and his Australian life is essential to his identity. The director employs tracking shots as Saroo navigates the streets of his hometown, symbolizing his gradual movement toward closure. The use of non-diegetic music builds emotional intensity during this sequence, mirroring Saroo’s growing anticipation and fear of rejection. When Saroo finally reunites with his mother, he says, “I never forgot you,” revealing that his struggle with identity has always been rooted in his desire for familial connection. The close-up shot of Saroo’s tearful embrace with his mother visually conveys the resolution of his emotional journey. Through Saroo’s reconnection with his family, the film demonstrates that true belonging comes from reconciling the different aspects of one’s identity, concluding his search for closure and acceptance.
Structure of Film/Text Analysis
Body Paragraph Structure:
Topic sentence:
1) Topic Sentence: Introduce the main idea of the paragraph, focusing on a specific theme, character, or element you’re analysing in the film.
2) Topic Sentence Example: In ‘Lion’, Davis uses visual imagery and symbolism to highlight Saroo’s emotional journey of identity and belonging.
Evidence (Quote):
1) Evidence (Quote from the film): Embed a quote from the film to support your point. Use dialogue, key moments, or specific scenes.
2) Evidence (quote from film) Example: One of the most emotionally impactful scenes occurs when Saroo, as a child, becomes lost at the train station. The overwhelming emptiness of the station emphasizes his isolation. As Saroo frantically calls out, “Guddu!” the vastness of the space around him and the lack of response further highlights his fear and helplessness.
Evidence (film technique):
1) Film Techniques (Evidence) : Analyse the film techniques used in the scene or moment. This could include camera angles, lighting, sound, or other cinematic techniques.
2) Film Technique (Evidence) Example: The director uses wide-angle shots to emphasize Saroo’s vulnerability, showing him as a small figure against the vast backdrop of the station. The desaturated lighting conveys his confusion and fear.
Explanation:
1) Explanation: Explain how the evidence and techniques connect to the larger themes or character development.
2) Explanation example: Example: This scene symbolizes Saroo’s separation from his roots and family, underscoring the theme of lost identity, which will drive his search for home later in life.
Linking sentence:
1) Link back to the prompt: Summarize how this paragraph contributes to your overall analysis or argument.
2) Linking Sentence Example: Through the use of powerful visuals and evocative symbolism, Davis conveys Saroo’s disconnection from his past, a theme that resonates throughout the film as Saroo searches for his true identity.
write a paragraph for lion identity and belonging?
In ‘Lion’, Davis effectively uses visual imagery and symbolism to convey Saroo’s emotional journey of identity and belonging. One of the most emotionally impactful scenes occurs when Saroo, as a child, becomes lost at the train station. The overwhelming emptiness of the station emphasizes his isolation. Davis uses wide-angle shots to frame Saroo as a small figure in a vast, unfamiliar environment, highlighting his vulnerability. The desaturated lighting further emphasizes his confusion and fear, mirroring the emotional distance from his home and family. This visual portrayal of Saroo’s lostness symbolizes his separation from his roots, foreshadowing the emotional and physical journey he will undertake to reconnect with his past. Through these techniques, Davis vividly illustrates the theme of lost identity and the need for belonging, central to Saroo’s character development throughout the film.
How does Lion highlight the contrast between privilege and poverty, particularly through Saroo’s adoption and life in Australia compared to his childhood in India?
The film Lion highlights the stark contrast between privilege and poverty by emphasising difficult childhood in India with the comfort and stability he experiences after being adopted by an Australian family.Saroo’s early life in India is marked by struggle, insecurity, and survival, while his new life in Australia introduces him to opportunities and comforts he never imagined. This contrast serves to emphasize how privilege profoundly shapes one’s experiences and opportunities, underlining the arbitrary nature of circumstance in shaping human lives.The director uses contrasting color palettes to emphasize this difference—Saroo’s life in India is depicted through muted, dusty colors, reflecting the harshness of poverty, while his scenes in Australia are bathed in bright, warm tones, symbolizing stability and privilege. A medium shot shows young Saroo standing in front of his new home in Australia, hesitantly holding his adoptive parents’ hands, his small figure dwarfed by the large, pristine house—visually representing his transition from scarcity to abundance. Later, Saroo acknowledges this contrast when he reflects, “I could’ve ended up anywhere. But I found a family that showed me what love is.” This dialogue reveals Saroo’s awareness of the gap between his two worlds and his appreciation for the privilege he now enjoys.Through visual contrasts and Saroo’s own reflection, Lion powerfully conveys the disparity between poverty and privilege, illustrating how his adoption not only changed his material circumstances but also gave him a sense of belonging and opportunity that was absent from his early life in India.
How does the scene at the station identify with survival?
The scene at the train station highlights Saroo’s instinct to survive despite his fear and confusion, emphasizing the harsh reality of a child lost in an unfamiliar world. Saroo’s actions in this moment showcase his survival instincts as he navigates the overwhelming and dangerous environment of the station. This scene reveals how even a young child must rely on instinct and resourcefulness to survive when faced with abandonment and uncertainty.The director uses a wide-angle shot to show Saroo as a tiny figure surrounded by towering structures and empty platforms, visually emphasizing his smallness in the face of an uncaring world. The desaturated lighting reflects his emotional state, underscoring his isolation. Saroo’s survival is further emphasized through sound; the station is eerily quiet except for the echo of his desperate cries, “Guddu!” This audio contrast between Saroo’s voice and the emptiness around him reflects his emotional struggle to connect with someone in an unresponsive environment. His instinct to keep moving, despite not knowing where to go, highlights his inherent will to survive. Through the use of visual and auditory techniques, this scene captures Saroo’s desperation and survival instincts, conveying the harsh reality of life for lost children and illustrating how survival is often born from fear and determination in overwhelming circumstances.
How does Saroo face challenges in his relationships?
In Lion, Saroo faces significant challenges in his relationships, particularly as he struggles with his identity and the emotional burden of reconnecting with his lost past.Saroo’s relationships, especially with his adoptive parents and girlfriend, are tested as his search for his biological family consumes him. His emotional distance and internal conflict reflect the tension between his desire to honor his adoptive family and his need to confront unresolved feelings about his past. This emotional struggle shows how identity crises can challenge even the strongest relationships.The director uses low-key lighting during scenes where Saroo isolates himself, visually representing his emotional withdrawal from those around him. A close-up shot captures the frustration on his girlfriend Lucy’s face as Saroo pushes her away, showing how his obsession with finding his birth family strains their relationship. In one scene, Saroo confesses, “I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I need to know where I came from.” This dialogue reveals the depth of his internal struggle and how his unresolved search creates emotional barriers in his relationships.Through visual techniques and dialogue, Lion highlights how Saroo’s emotional journey complicates his relationships, revealing that personal challenges often impact the people closest to us, even when those relationships are built on love and trust
How does Saroo experience challenges in identity and belonging among relationships?
In Lion, Saroo faces profound challenges with identity and belonging, particularly as he struggles to reconcile his Indian heritage with his Australian upbringing, a conflict that surfaces as he discusses with his university classmates in the group conversation.This moment reveals Saroo’s internal conflict and his struggle to feel a true sense of belonging in either culture. His remark highlights his feelings of alienation, as he grapples with an identity divided between his biological roots in India and the life he knows in Australia. This tension affects his relationships with those around him, as he finds himself unable to fully relate to others who have a clear sense of their cultural background.The director uses close-up shots to capture Saroo’s discomfort as he talks to his classmates, his facial expression revealing the weight of his identity struggle. Muted colors are used in this scene, visually symbolizing Saroo’s uncertainty and disconnection. When he says, “I’m not really Indian,” his voice reflects the underlying pain of feeling distanced from his heritage, a sentiment that leaves his friends momentarily silent. This brief yet impactful statement shows the isolation Saroo feels as he wrestles with belonging to two worlds yet feeling fully connected to neither.
How does Lion reflect Saroo’s struggle with identity and belonging
Topic Sentence: Lion powerfully portrays Saroo’s struggle with identity and belonging, capturing his internal conflict as he navigates his dual connection to both India and Australia.
Explanation: Throughout the film, Saroo’s journey reflects the tension between his past and present, symbolizing the broader challenges faced by adoptees in reconciling their birth origins with their adoptive lives. This struggle intensifies as Saroo becomes more aware of his Indian heritage, feeling torn between loyalty to his adoptive family and the desire to reconnect with his biological roots.
Evidence: In a scene where Saroo confides in his adoptive mother, he expresses, “I have to find my way back home.” The camera focuses closely on his face, capturing his emotional vulnerability and sense of longing. The scene’s lighting is warm but subdued, reflecting the comforting but restrained relationship Saroo feels with his Australian life. Background music intensifies as he speaks, echoing his deep-rooted need for connection with his Indian family, which remains an unresolved part of his identity.
Link back to the prompt: By exploring Saroo’s struggle with identity and belonging, Lion offers a nuanced portrayal of the challenges of cultural and familial displacement. This exploration deepens our understanding of Saroo’s character and highlights the universal theme of seeking a sense of home, ultimately demonstrating the complexities of finding one’s identity across different worlds.
How does Lion reflect Saroo’s struggle with identity and belonging
Topic Sentence: Lion powerfully portrays Saroo’s struggle with identity and belonging, capturing his internal conflict as he navigates his dual connection to both India and Australia.
Explanation: Throughout the film, Saroo’s journey reflects the tension between his past and present, symbolizing the broader challenges faced by adoptees in reconciling their birth origins with their adoptive lives. This struggle intensifies as Saroo becomes more aware of his Indian heritage, feeling torn between loyalty to his adoptive family and the desire to reconnect with his biological roots.
Evidence: In a scene where Saroo confides in his adoptive mother, he expresses, “I have to find my way back home.” The camera focuses closely on his face, capturing his emotional vulnerability and sense of longing. The scene’s lighting is warm but subdued, reflecting the comforting but restrained relationship Saroo feels with his Australian life. Background music intensifies as he speaks, echoing his deep-rooted need for connection with his Indian family, which remains an unresolved part of his identity.
Link back to the prompt: By exploring Saroo’s struggle with identity and belonging, Lion offers a nuanced portrayal of the challenges of cultural and familial displacement. This exploration deepens our understanding of Saroo’s character and highlights the universal theme of seeking a sense of home, ultimately demonstrating the complexities of finding one’s identity across different worlds.
