Download The Constant Gardner- Do you agree or disagree with Odone`s

The Constant Gardner- Do you agree or disagree with Odone’s views on the film?
Quotes from the article
(These are obviously taken
from larger extracts. Do
read them in context of the
whole article before
completing the rest of the
worksheet.
“The Constant Gardener is
bound to be immensely
successful. Despite affecting
performances by Fiennes and
Rachel Weisz, as well as some
stunning camera work in Kenya.”
(Hint: Look at the word ‘bound to’
and think about the tone Odone
is using. How do the
performances and images affect
the way the audience responds
to the message of the film?)
“The script has all the subtlety of
Michael Moore”. (Hint: Again the
tone affects our understanding of
the phrase. What tone is being
used here?)
“Tears into everyone’s favourite
villains. We hate Big Pharma
because they are the pros in the
field where we feel most
vulnerable — our health. “ (Hint:
Be careful here. The tone the
writer is using means she has a
hidden message behind this
phrase. What is the tone and
why has Odone used it?)
What do you think Odone is saying about
the film/ accusing the film of (in your own
words)? Use the hints in the previous
column to help you understand what is
being said.
Do you agree/ disagree/ partially agree
with this view? Why?
What evidence from the film will you use
to support your view? Evidence can be
plot details, quotes, images, the way
characters are presented and the way
images are filmed (lighting, sound,
camerawork, editing) etc.
Try to use a variety of evidence. If you
find more than one piece that is great.
“Fiennes looks ….one of the
world’s biggest pharmaceutical
companies. The message is
clear — corporate greed
overpowers mankind.
The entire film unfolds in a
similar vein.” (Hint: What vein
does she think the film is taking?)
“The rest of us, however, should
remain immune to this crude
propaganda effort.” (Hint: What is
Propaganda? What is the effect
of labelling the film propaganda?)
“Idealists who think that health is
a human right, and financial
incentives should have nothing to
do with it, should consider the
consequence of turning the
industry into a state enterprise”.
(Hint: What is an Idealist? What
does Odone think of Idealists?)
“Indeed, although to admit it
would offend the liberals who will
lap up The Constant Gardener,
pharmaceutical giants have often
acted heroically in Africa — only
to find their efforts sabotaged by
local governments.” (Hint: The
film is accused of being onesided (biased). Explain the bias
she is pointing out)
“ But savaging these companies
as the new evil empire will simply
set back medical progress.”
(Hint: What is Odone’s final
message here?)
“Big pharmaceuticals are up
there with arms dealers.” (Hint:
Why does Odone choose this
quote in particular? What does
she hope to show about the
film?)