Into The Wild Belonging

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Into the Wild ‘Into the Wild’ is a 2007 American biographical drama survival film written and directed by Sean Penn. It tells the story of top student and athlete Christopher McCandless who abandons his life and possessions, gives his entire $24000 from his college fund to charity and hitchhikes to the Alaskan wild. The concept of belonging is depicted in ‘Into the Wild’ through Christopher McCandless’ adventures and strong connections with the wild and the people he meets on his journey across North America. Throughout the film Christopher discovers and relates to different kinds of people who teach and help him with his adventure. Christopher despises the pressure from his family along with modern civilisation and calls it ‘corrupt’ which…show more content…
He opposes the pressure that his family puts on him who expect him to have a successful career and a notable reputation. During the restaurant scene they offer to buy him a new car and he says: “Do you think I want some fancy boat? Are you worried what the neighbours might think?” This rhetorical question shows us that he disapproves of his family’s and society’s expectations, and he does not want to conform to these expectations. Chris’ lack of belonging to his family is also shown in the fast editing and close ups of his parents’ eyes looking at him emphasises their criticism, expectation and judgement of him. The impression this film gives is the act of rebellion by Chris which is a way to punish his parents for what he perceives as hypocrisy and for the misery they put him and his sister through with their brutal fights during their childhood: Carine McCandless’ voiceover of ‘We were the bastard children’ shows the lack of family relationships and connects to the theme of…show more content…
When he is in the magic bus reading the book ‘Family Happiness’ he says, “I have lived through much and now I think I have found what is needed for happiness. A quiet, secluded life in the country with the possibility of being useful to people.” Chris’ choice of not to belong has empowered him. He has found happiness, and therefore has found freedom and his true identity. This is highlighted in the extreme close ups of the words he reads and the imagery of the landscape in the wilds of Alaska. In the film, Chris meets the hippie couple known as Rainey and Jan. They eat around a campfire and learn about each other. Chris says to Jan, “Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness, give me the truth.” He shows again here his true identity and what he would rather want in life instead of being materialistic. The slow zooming in on his face gives a feeling of empathy along with compassion and warmth. This shows us how Chris discovers a sense of belonging through the people and places he
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