The director Kate Woods of Looking For Alibrandi (2000) reflects Josephine Alibrandi's two different attitudes to Italian culture through showing her behaviour to the tomato day festivals. Her response to the festivals is presented both in the opening and conclusion of the film. Her contrasting attitude is shown through her dialogue, actions, positioning of herself with the other characters and the camera shots used.
The film begins with the Tomato Day scene where her family and relatives come together for a celebration. It symbolises the closeness and warmth of the Italian culture. Josie complains about her life to the audience. She says, "I find this embarrassing... it's like they never left little Sicily." Her feelings of shame and discomfit are captured as she continues to tell the audience about her life. She also mentions, "We're cursed."
In the end, also set in another tomato day, Josie's completely different attitude is captured.
Tomato (Tamatar)
Josie Maran.
State fruit - TomatoShe is no longer ashamed of her Italian background but instead is proud. She tells the audience, "We're not cursed, we're blessed," showing her acceptance to her culture and her optimism.
Josie's actions also tell us a lot about her attitude. In the beginning, Josie feels very dispassionate about the Tomato Day celebration and while the traditional Italian music is playing she changes it into modern-day, pop music. When told by her grandmother to change the music back, she expresses her irritable emotion and sullenly puts changes the music back.
In the end, Josie self willingly goes and puts on the traditional Italian music and smiles. Her enthusiasm is also showed as she joins all her family and relatives and starts dancing. Josie's eagerness to leave the celebration is also shown clearly in the opening scene. She tells the audience, "I've got to get out of here." After...