AMELIE PAPER - 2010

Section 1

A Identify one theme or issue from your close study film (1)

Jeunut's 2001 film 'Amelie' deals with the theme of loneliness.

B. Briefly describe what the film suggests about this theme or issue (3)

This film suggests that almost characters shut themself of from the world, that they prefer being on their own. For example, the glass man Dufiel has closed the door from everyone and has given up on himself. Each character is lonely in each way.

c. How is this theme or issue explored in a key sequence from your film (6)

In the opening sequence where Amelie is shown as a lonely child, where she made up imaginary friends to close the empty space in her life. Through out her childhood Amelie was alone. Childhood stays with us as she was isolated as a young child which stays with us whilst we grow up. Even as an adult she says to us we can still enjoy childish pleausares, playing games and hiding from people. In most scenes of the film, Amelie is alone which highlights she is comfortable being alone as she has been alone her whole life. This continues through out the film as she doesn't let no one into her apartment but at the end when she becomes happy, She finally lets someone in; Nino.

Section2

a. Choose one important setting from your chosen film (1)

Infront of the Sacre coeur.

b. Briefly describe the setting (3)

The sacre coeur is a well known tourest destination, It is set in the area of Montmarte which is famous for paintings and artists. Amelie is also adorn with fairgrowns which shows she still is acting as a child. Also using a telescope to see through things shows she still likes to view loads of locations like a child would do.

c. what does this setting suggest to audiences? (6)

This setting suggests that Amelie likes to explore, she likes to play games. The colours are bright and unusual compared to films which are american and are normal Colours. This suggests that Amelie is a bright dream which she is trying to find the right path to go on. By walking through the cathedral she wants to still play games and be a child. She tricks Nino, by making him follow arrows she has hand drawn on the pavement which then he follows to find his book Amelie found.

d. Choose a key scene from your film. Explain how one of the following is represented in it

            - age, gender, ethnicity, social class, disability. (10)

Section 3

Write either a blog entry or an internet film review focusing on why you think people should go and see your close study film. Include some of the following.  (20)

-           Camerawork or visual style

-          Music or sound

-          Performances or characters

-          How it compares with other films you’ve seen

-          Any other aspects that you find interesting

AMELIE PAPER - 2011

Section 1

A Briefly describe one important event in your chosen film (2)

B. why is this event important? (3)

c. How is this film language used to show this event. Refer to one or two of the following (5)

            - Mise-en-scene, camerawork, sound, editing, performance

Section2

a. Name one female character from your chosen film (1)

b. Briefly describe the character (3)

c. Explain the importance of this character’s role in the film? (6)

d. How is gender represented in a key sequence from your chosen film (10)

Section 3

Write a short item about your chosen film to be broadcast on a school or college radio station. You may include some of the following.

-          Background information on your film and director

-          Themes and issues of the film

-          Comparisons with other films you’ve seen

-          Camerawork / sound

-          What you think of your chosen film                                     (20)

AMELIE PAPER - 2010

Section 1

A Identify one theme or issue from your close study film (1)

B. Briefly describe what the film suggests about this theme or issue (3)

c. How is this theme or issue explored in a key sequence from your film (6)

Section2

a. Choose one important setting from your chosen film (1)

b. Briefly describe the setting (3)

c. what does this setting suggest to audiences? (6)

d. Choose a key scene from your film. Explain how one of the following is represented in it

            - age, gender, ethnicity, social class, disability. (10)

Section 3

Write either a blog entry or an internet film review focusing on why you think people should go and see your close study film. Include some of the following.  (20)

-           Camerawork or visual style

-          Music or sound

-          Performances or characters

-          How it compares with other films you’ve seen

-          Any other aspects that you find interesting

AMELIE PAPER - 2009

Section 1

A Briefly Describe one important setting or location in the film (2)

B. Describe the main theme or issue of your chosen film (3)

c. Explain how the setting or location described in 1A relates to the theme or issue of your chosen film (5)

Section2

Choose one important character from your chosen film

a. Name and briefly describe the character (2)

b. How is your first impression of this character created? (4)

c. Choose a key scene in which this character appears. Why is this scene important to the film’s narrative? (6)

d. How far does your character change over the course of the film?  (8)

Section 3

Write an article about your chosen film for your school or college magazine which aims to convince other students to watch your film.  (20)

You may include some of the following

-          Themes and issues

-          Differences / similarities between your film and Hollywood cinema

-          The role of micro features of the film (camera, performance, music, lighting, costume)

-          What you think of the film

-          Whether the film has changed your view of particular places or people.

Timeline of Amelie

1.       We are introduce to an idyllic Paris with seemingly insignificant details – bluebottles flying, glasses dancing

2.       Title sequence with Amelie indulging in childhood activities – eating strawberries from fingers, creating a face with her hand, making noises using the top of a wine glass, spinning coins etc.

3.       Meet Amelie’s mother and father we find out their Likes / Dislikes

4.       We see Amelie as a six year old. Her father treats her like a patient and her mother like a student. As Amelie get excited with contrast from her father her heart beats fast – he diagnoses her as having a heart defect and declares her unfit for school.

5.       Amelie resorts to a childhood where her imagination runs riot, she thinks records are like pancakes, imagines playing doctors with monsters and has a suicidal goldfish as her only friend – whom she then has to set free. (On a bridge we later see her skimming stones)

6.       Amelie takes pictures with a used camera – again her imagination is clear with clouds becoming rabbits and bears. Following a crash a neighbour makes her think it is her photos that caused the crash. When she sees the news she thinks her camera has caused major accidents. Realising she’s been tricked she gets her own back by ruining the football.

7.       Amelie’s mother is killed by a suicidal tourist. Dad becomes a recluse

8.       Forward to Amelie as a young adult – working is Les Deux Moulin (Two Windmills) in Montmartre

9.       We meet her co-workers, a Former Circus performer, a hypochondriac, a rejected lover, an airhostess .

10.   On her way to visit her father she offers money to a homeless man who replies, ‘No Thankyou, I don’t work on Sundays.’

11.   We see Amelie’s Likes / Dislikes. Plunging hand into grain, breaking Crème Brule, skimming stones, We learn relationships have been a disappointment for her.

12.   We meet the glass man (Dufayel) – his bones are so brittle he can’t leave. He films a clock on a camera as he is unable to wind up his own, he paints recreations of famous paintings  - a link to the artists of Montmartre,

13.   When she hears of Princess Diana’s Death she drops a bottle top which reveals the location of a hidden box – left by a former inhabitant of the house. She vows to find the owner.

14.   She asks Madeleine, the concierge of the apartment who used to live there. Madeleine tells of how her husband left her. Before this he used to write her letters.

15.   Amelie then sees Collingnon, the grocer to find out who lived in her apartment. He is mean about his assistant Lucien. Collingnon sends her to his parents They give her the name Bredoteau .

16.   She walks along an empty subway, containing only a blind man and sees Nino rummaging under a photobooth. We see also that Nino had a tough childhood – bullied by his peers.

17.   She visits her dad who is cleaning a Gnome to add to his wife’s shrine

18.   After failed attempts to find Bredoteau, she is informed by the glass man that the correct spelling is Bretodeau. Meanwhile he shows her a picture he is painting – Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party. He is having trouble painting one girl

19.   Amelie ensures Bretodeau gets his box back by leaving it in a phone box. He is delighted. He claims he will get back in touch with his daughter.

20.   Amelie, vowing to help others, leads the blind man down the road and explains all that is around him.

21.   Amelie sees the Glassman dining alone. She eulogises her future – helping others but eventually dying sad and lonely.

22.   Amelie goes to see her father but he is asleep, instead she takes his gnome. She missed the last train and has to sleep in a photo booth.

23.   When she awakes Nino is in the station, once again rummaging for photos. He runs after a man with red trainers. In the chase Nino drops a scrapbook. Amelie retrieves it.

24.   Amelie looks through the scrapbook. It is full of discarded ID photos. The same man keeps reappearing in the album.

25.   Back in the Café, Amelie begins to set up Joseph with Georgette.

26.   On her way to work the next day, Amelie reads an article about a mailbag which has been discovered after decades of being lost.

27.   Amelie sees that Collignon has left his keys in his apartment door. She takes them and gets a spare key cut. She uses thins to break and create a series of practical jokes on him.

28.   Amelie visits her father who shows her a photo of his Gnome in Moscow. On her way home she sees that Nino has put up a poster asking for his album back.

29.   Joseph and Georgette get together at the Café!!!

30.   Amelie visits Nino’s workplace, he is not there, she is sent to the fairground where Nino works on the ghost train.

31.   She leaves Nino a note, saying to meet at Montemarte and to bring 5 francs (French money before the Euro) When Nino gets home he dreams that the photos are talking to him – similar to Amelie’s daydreams.

32.   Next day Nino arrives at Montemarte, a telephone call tells him to follow the arrows, When he gets to the top he puts 5 francs into the telescope to reveal Amelie placing his album back in his scooter.

33.   After collignon is mean to Lucien once again, Amelie goes back into his apartment to play more tricks.

34.   Amelie uses the letters sent to Madeleine to recreate a new letter (supposedly lost) which convinces her that her husband always loved her.

35.   The gnome returns and Amlie leaves another note for Nino to meet her at the Two Windmills.

36.   When at first Nino doesn’t turn up Amelie begins to imagine an elaborate reason why he hasn’t’ turned up. Finally he does turn up but she can bring herself to talk to him. A Note is placed in Nino’s pocket by Amelie’s co-worker. .

37.   Nino goes to meet Amelie at the train station, where she has purposely broken the photo booth. The man with the red trainers is there fixing it – The mystery of the man is revealed!

38.   Amelie falsely thinks that her co-worker friend has met up with Nino to steal her from her. She is sad and imagines what life would have been like with Nino.

39.   Nino knocks on her door, she can’t bring herself to open it, Nino goes away. Nino receives a phone call from Dufayel telling her to go in the bedroom where candles and a video await. On the video Dufayel tells her she must take this chance or her heart will become as brittle as his bones.

40.   Nino returns to the flat and they kiss.

41.   As the film ends Nino and Amelie drive off together.

Amelie Review Question for Exam

The final section of the Amelie exam will likely ask you to conduct a review of the film.

This will assess both your writing skills and your overall knowledge of the film and its production credits (director, cast, year, etc)

Structure of the review:1.The narrative2.The characters3.The director’s style4.The themes5.Personal remarks

The narrative: You should begin by giving a summary of the film’s narrative. Never reveal all the details and hint at the ending without giving to much away.

 e.g. The film centres around the adventures of our heroine Amelie (Audrey Tatou). From a rather uninspiring childhood the audience witnesses her develop into a shy yet idiosyncratic young adult whose life is changed when she discovers a mysterious box. This discovery fuels Amelie’s passion for helping others yet at the same time she refuses to satisfy her own pleasures until her attraction to enigmatic Nino (Matteau Kassovitz) becomes too much to bear.

The characters:  Here you have an opportunity to discuss the array of supporting characters who add to the films charm. You should mention the impact or role they have on the film.

e.g. Amidst Amelie’s life the audience are also introduced to a wide range of similarly memorable characters, from Georgette the hypochondriac and her short life affair with the obsessive Joseph,  Amelie’s father and his reluctance to travel, Amelie’s guardian angel Dufayel, the man with bones so brittle so as to not be able to wind his own clocks and the films only antagonist Collignon who’s abuse of his ever present assistant causes Amelie to seek just revenge. 

The films style: Here you should discuss the directors techniques:  Cinema Du Look Use of colour filters (particularly green and red) Perfect ideal of Paris Direct Address to camera
 Dynamic Camera Movement
 Use of bittersweet humour
 Background in animation / fantasy
 Importance of Montmarte (homage to his home)
 Focus of small pleasures as character introduction.
 Artistic influences (renoir, monet)
 Traditional french soundtrack

Themes: Revisit the films themes of-Simplicity / innocence-Happiness-Outsiders-Childhood

Personal Reflection: Give the film a testimonial – convince the reader that it is important they watch the film
  E.g. Watching Amelie could perhaps be the moment you wake up to life’s small (and greater) pleasures.

 When writing your should aim for at least 1 side of A4 in the exam. (Remember this exam is only 1 hour)

When giving details of characters you should follow with the actor’s name in brackets e.g. Our protagonist Amelie (Audrey Tatou) embarks on..

If you lead wit the director or actors name you should follow with their other films

e.g. The director Jeunet (Delicatessen, City of Lost Children) has created……..

Amelie Critique

She tries to keep her life within the world of childhood pleasures, notably through playing games.

Although she is physically no longer a child, her attitude shows that she is scared of stepping into an adult world.

It has been said that her character is ‘articulated around the trauma of a lost childhood’

Amelie is inhibited. She enjoys being around people but is pathologically shy and withdrawn, to the point of sometimes becoming transparent.

This is evident in the scene when she first meets Nino at the station, or on her encounter with Bretodeau in the bar, where she chokes in her drink because he addresses her directly.

She prefers mediated (rather than in person) communication:

This is shown through Videotapes, fliers, cryptic notes, photographs or anonymous phone calls.

She also uses a telescope to remain distant form others and even wears costumes to conceal her own identity.

Anonymity is key to many of Amelie’s interactions. She tricks her childhood neighbour by hiding on the roof and pranks Collingon by sneaking into his flat. When Nino seeks her out and asks ‘Is this you?’ whilst holding her poster, she denies it.

The film lingers on the small aspects of everyday lie which can be universally related to. This has been said to be a characteristic of ‘Petisme’ or ‘paying homage to little things and pleasures’. Characters are in tern identified by these small pleasures and idiosyncrasies. For Amelie’s character it’s through the colours of red and green, collecting pebbles or feeling grain.

Simplicity is highlighted through the constant evidence of repetition androutine throughout the film. We see this in many ways throughout the narrative:

•       Amelie visits her father every weekend

•       Dufayel recreates the famous Renoir painting every year

•       Nino works at the Fun Fair every Wednesday

•       Joseph appears at the café with his recorder every day

•       Lucien makes his regular deliveries

•       Collignon wakes the same time each day to up his stall

Furthering her link with childhood, Amelie is prone to daydreaming, in fact recurrent visits are made into Amelie’s world and thoughts.  

Much like  the younger Amelie who projects her thoughts into fantasies (Imaginary friends, the comatose neighbour getting her sleep in one go, clouds as rabbits and even the touching glances between her and the newly freed blubber) 
Her adult daydreams are also projected, this time through techniques such as imaginary news reports, speaking photographs or animated bedside lamps) 
Depicted as enchanting and living in a fantasy world, Amelie seems to come from a cartoon or fairytale. 
She resembles Olive Oyle in the Abbesses metro station scene, Alice in Wonderland as a girl who lives in an imaginary world, Little Red Riding Hood because of her clothes and Zorro when she imagines herself as a caped crusader. 0
Moreover the film explicitly makes parallels between her and the real lie princess of Lady Diana. Other characters also hint at the fairytale motif with the air steward Philomene being referred to as Snow White (because of her travelling with the gnome) and with Lucien who becomes the conjurer as his routine delivery to Dufayel becomes an elaborate magical act.