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MHS Library | The Year My Voice Broke

Clips and transcripts - The Year My Voice Broke

The Year My Voice Broke - clip 1 - video clip and transcript
Clip description

Danny (Noah Taylor) gets a dunking from classmates for writing secret love poetry; Trevor (Ben Mendelsohn) rescues him and wins favour from his love interest, Freya (Loene Carmen).

Curator’s notes

by Paul Byrnes

Lots of schoolyard politics, which is used in the film like a mirror – the adults don’t behave any better in public situations, like the pub.

The Year My Voice Broke - clip 2 - video clip and transcript
Clip description

In their secret place on the hill, Danny (Noah Taylor) offers to hypnotise Freya (Loene Carmen) to help her stop smoking – but he has something else on his mind as well.

Curator’s notes

by Paul Byrnes

An interesting scene for the way it balances comedy and potentially nasty sexual aggression. Effective use of location to underline growing sexual awakening of the two teenagers – this is their rocky Garden of Eden.

The Year My Voice Broke - clip 3 - video clip and transcript
Clip description
He’s alone, she’s alone, everyone’s alone at the mid-year dance, a cheerless gathering for all concerned. Danny (Noah Taylor) makes a statement with his outfit, a little bit Marlon Brando, a little bit Elvis. He is deflated when Trevor (Ben Mendelsohn), who’s supposed to be locked up, turns up to sweep Freya (Loene Carmen) off her feet.

Curator’s notes

by Paul Byrnes

Note the pan along the glum girls’ faces – an entire theme in that one shot. While Danny’s emotions drive the film, it constantly shows us the disappointment and discrimination against women in this milieu.

Curator's notes  (Source: Australian Screen)