A Girl’s Own Story (Jane Campion, 1987)

Narrative

Focus on three girls in their teenage years at school in Australia during the 1960’s. One girl, Pam, has to be an intermediary between her parents in their dysfunctional relationship and is obsessed by The Beatles, along with her friend Stella, who later gains popularity and stops talking to Pam. The third girl, Gloria, becomes pregnant after being introduced to sex by her brother.

Genre

The film is a drama.

Cinematography

The film is shot in black and white while using a 4:3 aspect ratio so as to give the appearance of a 1960’s feel.

Mise-en-scene

The film opens with the girls observing a book that contains information about the male sexual organs and how they function during sex inscribed with the words “This might shock young girls”, establishing the mood of the film and setting a precedent for the rest of the film.

The girls often mention how cold it is and the film ends with a rendition of “I feel the cold” which adds to the dark and slightly depressing imagery of self-discovery and growing up that Campion aims to create here.

Meaning and Response

The film was a very interesting interpretation of the teenage years in a girls life and their discovery of what comes in further life, such as teenage pregnancy, sexual relationships, and conflict that will shape the people they become.

Representation

There seems to be a main focus on the issue of sex, from both physical perspectives. Campion explores what it is to be a woman and the sexual desire experienced at such an age. The sexual desire, exploitation, and dysfunctionality of growing up as a woman is represented in an extreme way by Campion which exemplifies the experiences that girls will have.