Bilateral

Luhrmann's use of juxtaposition emphasises that Fran doesn't belong. A close-up image of Liz's face, her bright, over-the-top makeup and styled hair, is followed immediately with an identical close-up of Fran's simple, plain face. This shows the obvious dissimilarity between the two characters, and emphasises Fran's alienation from the ballroom world. Juxtaposition is again used during the...

It is important to practise clear concise writing that links together insights into the topic Belonging, specific scenes and details from Luhrmann's film, and analysis of how the text creates meaning {analysis of camera shots, use of music and colour, juxtaposition, irony, visual setting etc}.

Develop these opening sentences into paragraphs by answering the questions (1) Where in the film do you see this?, (2) How does Luhrmann convey this idea in these scenes? Then further develop the argument by considering: (3) What is the message about Belonging? What does this show you about Belonging?

(a) "Strictly Ballroom" portrays a world where obsession with belonging leads people to live in fear of what others will say and incapable of thinking for themselves.

Belonging or not belonging is the feeling of being included or excluded by a certain group, person, place or community. This is conveyed very well in the film "strictly ballroom" produced by Baz Luhrmen and the picture book "The Sneetches" by Dr suess. In stictly ballroom, this concept is primarily conveyed by Scott Hastings struggle with the dance community to find where he truly belongs. In 'The Sneetches is refers to the group belonging of the two seperate types of sneetches and their journey to belong as a community and individually.