Student worksheet

Step 1.

You might want to watch the trailer for Blueback to remind yourself what happened in the film.

Blueback | Official Trailer | 2023 [HD] (youtu.be/Jwv5DuCgZcI)

Step 2.

Write a short summary of what happened in the film. In a few sentences, try to include:

who the major characters are
where the film was set
what the main point or message of the film is

Find Out - Reflecting on the film

Question 1.

What are the key messages of the film? One way to think about ‘key messages’ is to imagine the film is trying to tell the audience something (which it is!).

Describe a scene that supports your reading of this key message in the film.

Question 2.

What do you think the creators of this film want you to think and feel after watching this film?

Are they successful? Use the table below to consider your response to the film.

Are there any messages in the film that you disagree with? If so, why?

Question 3.

Abby is the protagonist in the film. A protagonist is the character who drives the action or story forward. They usually have productive or positive goals that they work to achieve throughout the narrative. They are central to the conflict of the story being told. Why do you think Abby was chosen as the protagonist of this film? What impact does this have on the audience?

Do you think the gender of the protagonist could make a difference to viewers of the film? The main character in the Blueback film was female, Abby Jackson. In the book it was male, Abel Jackson.

List Abby’s strengths and weaknesses.

Use the table below to describe scenes where Abby demonstrates some of the characteristics you've listed above. What is the intended impact of these scenes on the audience?

Think about how Abby develops over the course of the film. It may be helpful to think of her as a child, a teenager and as an adult. Use the table below to plot how challenges lead to her transformation into an advocate for marine conservation.

Take Action: Films that drive impact

Choose one of the following writing tasks to complete.

Choose a character other than Abby. Perhaps Abby’s mum Dora, Mad Macka, Abby’s friend Briggs, Blueback or even the developer Costello. What if this character was the protagonist of Blueback? How would this have changed the impact and/or message of the film? Rewrite a summary of the film from the perspective of this character.
Write a short persuasive text agreeing or disagreeing with the following statement: "Blueback conveys the clear key message that it is worth people standing up and protecting what they care about." Refer to scenes that support or discredit this statement.
When we talk about ‘representation’, we’re referring to how an idea is communicated. When we watch Blueback, do audiences think that advocating for our oceans is worthwhile and valuable? What ideas do audiences receive about the ocean? Is it wondrous and full of life? Think about how Blueback as a film represents environmental issues through storytelling.
Think of another environmental challenge such as climate change, deforestation, or drought. Write a synopsis (a brief summary one sentence idea for a film) for a film focused on this challenge, using Blueback as inspiration.

Blueback - Reflecting on the Film (Home Learning)

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