Paradise Road Essay

mmative: Extended Response:
Use the film and your wider knowledge to critically assess the following statement:
‘Who we are is truly tested and proven when we encounter conflict.’

Bruce Beresford’s film, Paradise Road, is based on the true historical events that followed the attack of the Vyner Brooke, where the hardships of the circumstances tested the characters in ways that both support and challenge the statement of ‘who we are is truly tested and proven when we encounter conflict’. Conflict is defined as “a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one”, and can be perceived in many ways. How someone perceives conflict is beyond their control, as it may be entirely influenced by others and their actions, their perception

may also be altered due to the different and extraordinary circumstances they are placed in. When coming face to face with conflict the core of someone’s character is brought into sharp focus as they make sense of their experiences and those of the people that surround them.
When in regards to Paradise Road, there are several situations that fit the description of ‘conflict’, and they all depend on the point of view of that particular person.

Different characters encounter different difficulties; a prisoner’s problems will not entirely reflect a prison officer’s problem. Therefore, the way in which they respond to these difficulties will no only be based on their own character, but the rights and power that they are given. The Australian military personnel somewhat belittle the Japanese’s position in the war, and can be seen underestimating them in the opening shots of the film, just before the events of the attack of Vyner Brooke and the nurse’s imprisonment. At this point, despite World War 2 being well underway, the scene of the celebration at the Cricket Club in Singapore is shown as carefree and happy. This shows that while the wider conflict going on at the time is the matter of war, due to them not being directly involved, those that are at the Cricket Club are rather content where they are and are able to continue with their lives as if nothing significant is happening. Upon a bomb exploding right outside the club, representing the Japanese having advanced beyond defensive lines, they immediately panic as never would they have imagined it occurring, being previous so assured in their military forces, assured to the point of arrogance. The reaction to this conflict shows that those being attacked are used to having the upper hand, and

upon such a loss of control, they are frantic and relatively unprepared.
Another way of reacting to conflict is demonstrated by the group of women imprisoned on the island of Sumatra by the Japanese, using music as a relief to their misery.

At first the woman are merely talking to one another, and keep in their own social levels. However, as time passes, the group’s collective response to the hardships allow them to bond, especially upon acknowledging that despite what they had previously thought of one another, the need to survive has far greater weight than the barriers of social segregation. Thus, relationships between the women develop and together, they assemble a vocal choir as somewhat of a form of therapy, using music to demonstrate the perseverance, solidarity, and creativity, that makes the possibility of coping with the atrocities of the camp significantly

greater.
The optimistic outlook Margaret maintains throughout the hardships in the film have helped lessen the negative aspects of their circumstances, circumstances which would have consumed many of the women. Margaret, although encountering severe conflict, manages to have a positive vision. She chooses to focus on the “brilliant sunshine” and the “shrubs pink-tipped, mauve-blossomed”, at one point even questions, “how sacred… this place [is]” and comments, “ I’ve tried, but I cant bring myself to hate people. The worse they behave, the sorrier I feel for them”. She remains true to herself and does not surrender to the forces that challenge her.
The inner strength in oneself is also shown through Cate Blanchett’s character whilst being tortured, as well as Glenn Close’s character when she is challenged for striking an army officer. Through both of their strengths, they influence others to have the same courage and backbone to survive.
In contrast, in a guard’s mind, a conflict would undoubtedly mean the weights of the war, in particular, their role in the outbreak, which happens to be asserting power over the prisoners of war. Their brutality in these situations does not necessarily define them as a person. Due to them being assigned their positions, a certain level of responsibility would have impacted the guards’ actions; therefore, they would be expected to be as brutal to the prisoners as possible. Although, however hard they try to mask their humanity, it still happens to leak through at times. The Japanese guards appreciate the reminder of music, although somewhat reluctantly, as they still feel the need to show dominance over the prisoners, not support them. Not only has the power of their music created a sense of peace but had changed many attitudes of both the parties of women and guards.
In an event of conflict there is not a distinct outcome of how a person is to react when placed in certain situations and positions, therefore, who a person truly is cannot be uncovered