Analysing Non-Print Texts – The Constant Gardener
Key Ideas
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The West’s humanitarian disconnect from Africa (and other developing countries)
Apathy and moral compromises of modern day corporations
Powerlessness of the common man
Social institutions disrupting the human lives they are meant to protect and sustain
The sanctity of medicine being compromised by corporate greed
Loyalty, betrayal and integrity
Key Literary/film techniques utilised to convey meaning
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Mise en scene
Sound
Point of view
Lighting
Setting
Camera shots
Narrative structure
Characterisation
Flashbacks
Symbolism
Motifs
Repetition
Tone
Foreshadowing
Juxtaposition
Parallels
contrast
Some key scenes for characterisation and techniques in The Constant Gardener... (there are lots
more of course!)
Scene 1:
Starts mid narrative
Tessa walking to the plane and into the bright light – foreshadowing, symbolic
Close up shot of the blue truck – repeated later in film
Introduction of bird motif
5:40
Light being revealed in lecture theatre behind Justin, with view of London in background, when
Tessa stands up to talk
10:02
Contrast of settings – Tessa’s bright apartment in London – the morgue in Nairobi
Documentary style camera shots in morgue
13:35
Africa – imagery, sound
Public role play about AIDS
Setting – slum – repeated
17:35
Lighting, flashbacks – flash backs are bright and light
21:24
Party scene – contrast of the top officials of the country compared to the people working at the
hotel. Obvious opulence.
Connection/corruption made evident between British officials, 3 Bees and Kenyan officials
25:14
Imagery of slum repeated
29:42
Hospital scene
‘Doctor’ with Waza Kilulu
30:07
Justin and Tessa driving through slum – Tessa wanting to stop and help Kilulu family, Justin stating
that ‘There are too many to help...we can’t help everyone’
36:00
Implied betrayal of Tessa – Sandy and the letter
40:29
Advertising of ‘Buzzy Bee’ products in Nairobi – Corporate greed/deception
48:30
Hospital records – the concept of the ‘test patients’ being nameless
50:30
Medical testing cards and the unethical testing practises is revealed
Crick’s face is revealed in a quick shot
1:02
London setting – bleak in contrast to Africa
1:07
Pellegrin and KDH photo – gradual provision of information, further implication of Pelligrin,
representing Britain’s corruption
1:09
Lighting, flashbacks – flash backs are bright and light (ethereal?) and reality is grey and dull
1:22
Sandy’ dinner party in Africa – extravagant, characterisation of guests – positioned to dislike them,
Ghita’s strength of character showing
1:40
Brandt – the Sahara, religious symbolism, UN trying to help
Final scenes
Cyclical nature – Justin returning to same place as Tessa’s death, bird motif, repetition of setting,
blue truck with Crick’s men, open light setting – symbolic of Justin’s honesty, integrity
Imagination - reuniting with Tessa
Juxtaposition of church and funeral in London – enclosed, dark and grey setting