Donald Duck in "Der Fuehrers Face"

1. How are the Germans (and Japanese) portrayed in the opening sequence? They represent a disciplined army that is forceful and makes you work, they have excessive body parts. How is irony created? They siad that they were the master race, but it is Ironic because there is nothing superior about them.
2. How is propaganda and the effect of propaganda portrayed with the introduction of Donald Duck?
3. How is irony continued into the breakfast scene? The food is terrible, and they are saying how great Nazi germany is but the reality is that it is quite the opposite.
4. How is Naxi Germany portrayed in the opening shot at 3:30?
5. What is ironic about the song lyrics regarding work and what is happening in the scene? Their is a man in the background saying how great Nazi'z are, but it is actually quite poor.
6. What does the conveyor belt portray regarding the lifestyle of Germans? The video shows that Germans work 48 hours a week and spend their whole time Making bombs and getting shouted at,
7. Why do you think that there aren't actually any people that force Donald to work? We only see the ends of bayonets and a speaker. They show the ends of Bayonets to show that they are hostile towards their wokers and that if you help them than you will be treated the same.
8. What is ironic about the vacation? It is not really a vacation because it is over before you start.          
9. In the dream sequence, how are the Germans portrayed? They are shown as a forceful army making you work hard for nothing and be poked by bayonets. Why? This cartoon could have been used as a promotion video.
10. What do the pajamas when we see Donald in his bed tell us? That he is much more happier being a citizen of the USA.
11. What is the Statue of Liberty used to convey? The statue on the window still shows that Donoald Duck is an American Patriot. 
12. How is Hilter portrayed at the end of the film? Hitlers face looks mean and evil, but also tired and angry, like his had a bad time. What is it about his face that is important?

Why is this a representation of propaganda? This video has been used to convince the American public to support the war effort. Why is it actually ironic considering the way the Nazi's are portrayed? The americans are representing the germans as saying they are the superior race but in the end donald duck is ssaying how great america is, so it is hypocritical.

Who are the villains, Nazis victims Donald duck, and heroes Americans?

How are the portrayed? They are pushing people with bayonets and being overwelmed by nazis and forced to work.

What can you conclude about how these characters are portrayed knowing that this was produced in 1943 USA? 

Finding Visual Techniques

key words/focus:
camera angle (low, high, eye-level), vectors, lighting, composition

(4:20) How are camera angles used when Joshua says 'Thank you' (not in German)? High Angle for Joshua, Low Angle for the Waitor, Medium Shot for Guido Which angles are used to view each of the characters? What does each of these angle signify? The High Angle represents that Joshua is small and weak, The low angle shows the dominance of the German.

(4:45) What shot distance and angle is used to show Guido's concern for Joshua when the German waiter leaves the room? Medium Shot Describe the compositition- Geometrical, Symmetrical

(4:46) How is shot of Guido contrasted to the shot of the German waiter walking away to tell someone what has just happened? The German Angle looks much more orderly and in control, and Guidos view looks much more unstable.  Describe the composition and compare it to the previous shot of a concerned Guido.

(5:02-05) How is the shot of the German's contrasted to that of Guido teaching the children to say 'Thank You'? The shot of the German is low and shows the Germans are much more strong, tall and dominant, where as Guido makes and effort to bend down to the children and moving to look more friendly to the children.

HW: How are visual techniques utilised to evoke empathy from the audience and clearly delineate (indicate) who are the heros, villains, and victims in this scene?

Heroes and Villains in Life is Beatiful

This is an important scene in the film when Guido and Giosue are introduced to the concentration camp.

1. Describe what is happening in this scene. Guido is listening to the German soldier and then translating it incorrectly to convince his son that it is all a game.  
2. Who are the heroes and villains in this scene? Guido is trying to make this camp look less like a death camp and keep his son happy, and not see that their is actually people dying all around him. Why are they heroes and villains? Guido is Attempting to make the experience of the concentration camp seem like a game so that joshua will do what he says  in order to survive the camp.
3. For the hero/es and villain/s, describe techniques used in this shot which highlight their opposing role and how they connect with the audience. Germans are showing themselves as tough, strong willed people and are clearly overpowering the Jews by shouting at them and stating the rules, they are looking upon the Jews as something to be avoided. 

Holocaust Unit: Key Question "Life is Beautiful"

How are victims, villains and heroes of tragedy and trauma valued and given a voice?

We need to apply this key question to Life is Beautiful:

1. What is a tragedy?  An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe also a conflict that is overpowered.
2. How is Life is Beautiful a tragedy?  It shows a couple and child living a happy life in italy as Jews, when they are taken and worked in a concentration camp which was part of a huge tradgedy, the Holocaust.
3. Could it also be a comedy?  Yes, the movie at points expressed hints of humour. Guido despite what is happening he can make things funny.
4. What is a villain? What is a hero? What is a victim? Give examples of each both from real life and from fiction. A villain in most movies or books is portrayed by a person wanting to cause damage or discomfort to others. Hero is the opposite of a villain, a Victim is the person or group being damaged by the villain.
5. Who are the villains, victims and heroes? Villains-Germans Vitims-Jew Heroes-Guido
6. What value do each of these characters play in the movie? The background of Guido and the events that occur are important to show Guidos personality, therefore giving the movie more depth.
7.  What role do they play in the plot? Guido is basis of the movie and him being an inspirational character creates high interest.
8.  What role do they play in connecting the movie to history? What role do they play in evoking a reaction from the audience? Villains/There evil and shown as cold hearted Heroes/ (List the important characters in the movie and label them as either villains or heroes. Then, in dot points, list the important role they play in regards to plot, history, and to the audience.)

1. Guido Heroes
2. Dora  Heroes
3. Doctor Hero/Villain/Victim
4. Nazi SS/Villain
5. Joshua, (Guido's son)/Victim