Conference Presentations by Felix Hockey
Niki Caro’s first feature film, Memory & Desire (1998) takes place mostly in New Zealand. With a ... more Niki Caro’s first feature film, Memory & Desire (1998) takes place mostly in New Zealand. With a Japanese couple as the main characters, however, the country is shown from an outsider’s perspective despite the nationality of the filmmakers. This draws a connection between New Zealand and Japan that is explored via their different depictions and how the characters interact with their environments. As a film created by New Zealand filmmakers and based on a short story by a New Zealand author, it is perhaps arguable whether the New Zealand represented in the film is that of an outsider’s or Japanese perspective or instead, a presentation of the country which more resembles the idea of New Zealand within its own culture. It may affect some aspects of the country’s portrayal on screen, such as its position as a tourist attraction which can thus hold a great sway on the narrative.
This paper will, therefore, examine the significance of the use of a Japanese perspective on New Zealand, exploring how it is portrayed in contrast to Japan and whether the film can be regarded to represent a Japanese framing of the country. Memory & Desire also prominently features significant coastal locations throughout the narrative with important scenes taking place in an isolated cave as well as on the shore. Therefore, the role of this location will also be investigated in regards to how it impacts the film’s message.
papers by Felix Hockey
A paper analysing how City of Life and Death (Chuan, 2009) represents the historical event known ... more A paper analysing how City of Life and Death (Chuan, 2009) represents the historical event known as the Nanking Massacre, including how it arguably tries to represent it from an international perspective
A view of Pale Flower (Shinoda, 1964) in the context of the Japanese New Wave Cinema.
An essay looking at three films featuring Yakuza gangs in post-war Japanese cinema, each made by ... more An essay looking at three films featuring Yakuza gangs in post-war Japanese cinema, each made by a director who would find fame outside of the genre; Drunken Angel (Kurosawa, 1948), Black River (Kobayashi, 1957) and Pigs and Battleships (Imamura, 1961).
A study of Tomu Uchida's 1955 Jidai-Geki film, A Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji, discussing how it fi... more A study of Tomu Uchida's 1955 Jidai-Geki film, A Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji, discussing how it fits between two eras of filmmaking within the genre.
An analysis of Davey Wreden's The Beginner's Guide (2015) and it's emphasis on controlling the pl... more An analysis of Davey Wreden's The Beginner's Guide (2015) and it's emphasis on controlling the player.
An examination of Davey Wreden's video games, The Stanley Parable (2013) and The Beginner's Guide... more An examination of Davey Wreden's video games, The Stanley Parable (2013) and The Beginner's Guide (2015) and how they challenge the idea of free will in the medium.
Uploads
Conference Presentations by Felix Hockey
This paper will, therefore, examine the significance of the use of a Japanese perspective on New Zealand, exploring how it is portrayed in contrast to Japan and whether the film can be regarded to represent a Japanese framing of the country. Memory & Desire also prominently features significant coastal locations throughout the narrative with important scenes taking place in an isolated cave as well as on the shore. Therefore, the role of this location will also be investigated in regards to how it impacts the film’s message.
papers by Felix Hockey
This paper will, therefore, examine the significance of the use of a Japanese perspective on New Zealand, exploring how it is portrayed in contrast to Japan and whether the film can be regarded to represent a Japanese framing of the country. Memory & Desire also prominently features significant coastal locations throughout the narrative with important scenes taking place in an isolated cave as well as on the shore. Therefore, the role of this location will also be investigated in regards to how it impacts the film’s message.