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THE BOOK THIEF

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Synopsis

 

The Book Thief is a film, created by Brian Percival in 2o13 that was shot in Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany. Narrated by Death, The Book Thief is the Journey of Liesel Meminger, a 9 year old German girl who was abandoned by her mother to live with new parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann in the small village of Molching during 1939 before WWII. Whilst on their way to Molching, Liesel's younger brother Werner dies from poor illness, leaving Liesel traumatised and experiencing various nightmares about him for months. On arrival, Hans who brings her to comfort helps her learn to read, starting with a book Liesel had stolen from the cemetery that her brother was put to rest in.

 

On Liesel's first day of school, a young boy name Rudy Steiner who falls in love with her instantly, guides and takes care of Liesel through changes and challenges throughout her Journey. Max Vanderburg, a close friend of the family, is hidden in the basement as he is a Jew and develops a closer friendship with Liesel in which he produces two short stories about their bond, but as he is asked to leave Liesel fears of not seeing him again. Afterall, Liesel goes on and writes the story of her life in the Hubermanns' basement, where she shockingly survives an air raid that kills Hans, Rosa, Rudy, and everyone else on her block and dies of old age. 

 

 

 

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Elements of Journey Explored through Liesel Meminger
 
Motivation: 
  • Survive Germany through the war 
  • To be educated (To write books, read, expand her vocabulary)
  • To be able to write many books in the future and become a known author
 
Obstacles:
  • Mother abandoning her/Brother dying
  • Reading and Writing
  • Racism (Killing Jews as they dont support the Nazi's or Adolf Hitler as leader)
 
Types of Journeys Represented:
  • Inner Journey  (Family/Friends)
  • Physical Journey  (Travelling/Learning to read and write/Developing close relationships with Rudy/Max)
  • Imaginative Journey (Writing to her mother, as if she would recieve the letter)
 
Destination:
  • Becoming a successful author (To share her stories and thoughts)
  • Forming a stronger relationship with Rosa (Having a mother and daughter bond)
  • To see Max again in the future 
 
Challenges:
  • Standing up for herself (Fighting off her bully, Expressing how she feels about Hitler)
  • Loosing Rosa,Rudy, and Hans from the air raid
  • Adjusting to her new environment (Home, School, Mayors House)
 

Scene Deconstruction

An individual may come across a variety of obstacles and challenges on one of many of their journey’s, it is from the assistance of a team, that they may allow the individual to overcome these setbacks that will dictate their success. During ‘The Book Thief’ film, the main character Liesel is shown to be a very shattered and isolated girl. It is assumed that her mother abandoned her shortly after Liesel suffered emotionally as a result of her brother Werner’s tragic death from poverty and poor health. Liesel arriving to her new home in Germany showed that she felt no comfort or love from the world. This can be seen when Hans first climbs into the car and says “Come! Come! Come!”. With the use of a mid camera shot, it captures and reveals how scared and worried Liesel feels when she realises that she has to start a new chapter of her life in Germany without her brother and this becomes the start of a significant emotional and physical challenge for her to overcome. Moreover, as time progresses the relationship Liesel develops with her foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, Liesel’s journey takes a turn from being shattered and isolated to being a fun, loving experience. This can be portrayed when Liesel starts learning how to read and write with her Papa Hans Hubermann, and has a snowball fight in the basement with her Mama Rosa Hubermann. With the use of key lighting, Liesel reveals that she is starting to become more comfortable with her surroundings and is starting to become more involved and exclusive with her new foster parents by having a bright and thriving mood whilst with being with them. As a result, it is clear that through the support and comfort of Liesel’s foster parents, Hans and Rosa, Liesel is able to express her physical and emotional issues. 

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