Hotel Rwanda Essay Questions
Choose a film or TV drama which seems to deal mainly with themes reflecting the less pleasant aspects of life.
Show how a theme of this kind is dealt with in such a way as to help your understanding of the aspect of life shown. (2002)
Choose a film or TV drama which has an important sequence involving thrilling action such as a chase, a fight, an ambush or a supernatural event.
Briefly say why the sequence is important, and show how the sequence is made exciting for the audience. (SQP 2003)
Choose a film or TV drama which has a political, social or religious theme.
Show how the portrayal of this theme is enhanced by the characters and setting of the film or
TV drama. (SQP 2003)
Choose an important scene from a film in which an atmosphere of mystery, or horror or suspense is created.
Briefly state what happens in the scene and why it is important to the film as a whole. Go on to show what techniques are used to create the atmosphere of mystery or horror or suspense.
(2003)
Choose a film or TV drama which has war as its subject.
Show how the film, by its use of content and techniques, has brought home to you the reality of the terrible nature of war. (2004)
Choose a film or TV drama which deals with the subject of “good versus evil”.
Briefly explain the struggle and show how your sympathy was engaged on one side or the other. (2004)
Choose a film or TV drama in which there is a sequence of great importance to the development of character and/or plot.
Show how elements of character and/or plot are developed in this sequence to create impact.
(2005)
Choose a film or TV drama* which involves the pursuit of power or the fulfilment of an ambition.
Show how the theme is developed through the presentation of character and setting. (2008)
Choose a film or TV drama* which reflects an important aspect of society.
Describe the aspect of society being dealt with and show how the techniques used by the film or programme maker help to deepen your understanding of the importance of this aspect. (2008)

Choose a film or TV drama* which both entertains and helps to raise awareness of social issues.
Show how the film or TV drama you have chosen succeeds in both these aspects.
(2009)
Choose a sequence from a film which is important both to the atmosphere and to the plot of the film.
Show how atmosphere is created in the sequence and go on to show how the sequence and the atmosphere are important to the film as a whole. (2009)
Choose a film or TV drama* which deals with issues which mainly affect young people.
Explain how the film or TV drama* deals with such issues, stating whether or not you find the portrayal of these issues realistic. (2010)
Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama* which provides a climax to the action.
Briefly describe the events leading up to the climax, and then explain how the techniques used by the film or programme makers create a heightened sense of importance in this scene or sequence. (2010)
Choose a film or TV drama* which has a character who could be described as a hero or as a villain.
Explain how the character is introduced and then developed throughout the film or
TV drama. (2011)
Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama* in which an atmosphere of mystery, or horror, or suspense is created.
Describe what happens in the scene or sequence, explaining how the techniques used by the film or programme makers create this atmosphere.(2011)
Choose a film or TV drama* in which the main character is an individual for whom we feel sympathy.
Show how media techniques are used to portray the character in such a way that we feel sympathy. (2012)
Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama* which is particularly dramatic.
Describe what happens in the scene or sequence, explaining how the film or programme makers effectively use techniques to create drama. (2012)

Choose a film or TV drama* in which there is a character who poses a threat to the main character.
Show how media techniques are used to portray the character in such a way that the audience reacts against him/her and sees the threat which he/she poses. (2012)
Choose a film or TV drama* where conflict between characters is central to the plot.
Explain the reasons for the conflict and show how media techniques intensify audience involvement at particular scenes. (2013)
Choose a film or TV drama* which highlights a particular moral or political or social or environmental issue.
Identify the issue and show how media techniques are used to persuade us to adopt a particular view or to explore the issue more fully. (2013)