Shine Human Condition

Shine highlights three major human conditions throughout the movie, the need for companionship, the unbroken human spirits and human's tendency to reflect on the past. From these human conditions, scenes in Shine and use of camera techniques we learn how to approach situations and downhills in life and to rediscover and give purpose to life rather than give up and accept defeat.

David's isolation and loneliness started from when he was a child, always pushed into the limelight but gaining no real support nor affection from either parents. The loneliness is by use of camera angles, long shots of David with no one around, high angle shots – minimalising David so that he appears to be small and vulnerable. The use of shadows, silhouettes and
This part of the human condition has greatly affected David, as he, much like his father, can't let go of the past. We are presented with two extremes of David's reflections on his childhood, his success and mentors and his father. Ben, later David's piano teacher, is first introduced to us as a judge at a local competition. David's piano career begins from that point, as his reflections started from there. Although Ben was always arguing with Peter, he could not overpower or influence him in any way and this was shown by the physical height difference between the two men and Peter's large over powering voice. Many shots were also taken from relatively high angles, to minimalise Peter so the audience can clearly tell who is the dominating of the two. In the reflections, David is always repeating, echoing his father's words in a trusting way where he believed every word he said was true and sacred. We hear the same lines again " David, you are a lucky boy" and " no one can love you like me" but the older wiser David reluctantly repeats them in an untruthful tone. From this we can tell David, who has been stuck in his childhood reflections for so long has finally let go and moved on with his life. The music played in the reflections also indicates to the audience David's acknowledgement and ability to differentiate between the good and bad. When he spent time with Katherine, the music was light and peaceful yet when he was at home, the music was dark and suspenseful. From David's reflections, we learn not to dwell in the past, but rather learn from the mistakes as he has and move on. This component of the human condition enables us to self-correct and rediscover ourselves and people affecting our