#something something mr langston saying boy is a lot like alamein used to be

[fleshadept]

Antlers are associated with power, growth, and resurrection. They serve as a defense and deterrent from predation; when broken, they grow back completely.

Boy (2010) dir. Taika Waititi

#HAPPY TAIKA TUESDAY EVERYBODY #SOOOO UM A FEW THINGS. #second gif stoned haircut scene. the antlers are framed to look very small for boy #like this either represents that the antlers are growing in for him in this scene #as it's a very literal transformation for boy allowing alamein to take him into his own hands per se #and as a result allowing alamein to live the fantasy represented by the crown of antlers #OR. #it is positioning boy as a baby deer #a younger version of alamein essentially #something something mr langston saying boy is a lot like alamein used to be #NEXT #fourth gif alamein is staring DIRECTLY. at the camera #this is the peak of his fantasy he holds all the cards at this point he has Become shogun. he believes he is the protagonist #so he looks directly at the audience watching what he believes to be a story about him #interestingly when boy sits on the throne he is looking up not forward/at camera #AND. #i didn't notice until i was making this that boy sitting on the throne is the last time we see the antlers until #alamein's fantasy is completely destroyed #if we look at it thru protag theory that implies that as the protagonist boy simply taking alamein's role for a minute #even though it ended badly for boy #started the destruction of alamein's fantasy #AND FINALLY #the growth/rebirth symbolism around antlers is very interesting considering the way the antlers are broken #in the last two gifs #and then it immediately cuts to the next morning #and the rest of the film after that is very much themed around new beginnings #especially when you take into account the shot of the finished carving on the chair #that deliberately excludes the antlers from frame #anyway. that's all of it! jesus christ #if you read this far i'm kissing you on the mouth