Short film research, Goodbye Mr Bojangles- by Dani

Goodbye, Mr Bojangles. http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/film/3596/goodbye-mr-bojangles

Director: Ximon

Virgin Media Shorts

Synopsis: This short film is about two young children talking, brother and sister, after the death of their pet hamster and both contemplate the subject of death.

I found this film interesting, as two young children discuss a relatively adult subject, which is conveyed to the audience in a creative form; through the voice of a child. The relationship between the brother and sister also captivated me, as he comforts her.

Representation

Stereotyping: When the young girl is listing different animals when she asks who dies, they are very much stereotypical ‘girly’ and cute animals, for example; ponies and doggies. The way in which she says and pronounces these also develops these ideas further, as she relates to them as ‘doggies’ and ‘birdies’, in a very much childish and girly manner. In some contexts this is a negative representation of young girls, however it is used in order to emphasise some of her girly, ‘cutie’ aspects, which without the film would not have the same effect. These stereotypes reinforce their childish ways and the fact that they are normal children and so enhance their somewhat depressing conversation about death. One of the main aspects of this film is the juxtaposition between the two; the innocent young children and the topic of conversation; death.  

Narrative

The chronology of the film is linear, from the start where they are talking about flushing the hamster down the toilet until the end, when they do it. Between this is a quite loving conversation between siblings, as it is clear the older brother is there for his sister who doesn’t quite understand however by the end of the film she does. The main basis of the conversation is the young girl asking what happens when the animals die, where the hamster will go after he has been flushed away. The ending of the film answers this main question in a quirky and unrealistic way. We see the flushing of the toilet from the perspective of the hamster; we then see the hamster floating around in space in some kind of bubble. Although, this is not the answer to the sister’s question, I believe it is capturing what she likes to think would happen to Mr Bojangles after he is flushed away, due to the childish nature of the ending, it could well be her thoughts.

Genre

This short film is categorised as a drama on the Virgin Media Shorts website, which fits the content of the whole film, as to the children, the death of the hamster is a tragedy, however it clearly has a sense of comedic value towards the end, shown by the hamster floating in space. Therefore, the film can be classed as a hybrid due to its mixture and crossover of genres.

Audience

I believe that this film is capable of a vast audience, for example teenagers and adults will find the humour in it, whereas young children may perhaps be able to relate to it. To some extent, anybody that watches this film no matter what age may be able to relate to the topic of the story, as everybody would have lost a pet at some point in their life. The fact that people can relate to a film is a big factor in how they are pleased by this short film.

Media Language

The non diagetic soundtrack that is played throughout the film is used to create the mood and atmosphere of it, which in this case was serious and upsetting and the soundtrack mirrors that.  This point of view shot is placed towards the end of the film, where Mr Bojangles is being flushed down the toilet. We can tell that is the shot, by the worms eye view suggesting we are a lot smaller and lower down than he is. This is effective, when portraying the childish thoughts about what happens when you die, because in order to see what happens to him we must first be in his point of view to understand the relevance.

Themes, Issues and Ideologies

The main issue discussed is death and due to the context of the situation, two children talking about it, it becomes creative. Death is also the underlying theme throughout the film.