Go Back To Where You Came From Discovery

Discovery is a fundamental component of life as it allows us to gradually uncover the world till death. Experiences encountered throughout life provoke towards discovery having a profound broadening impact on an individual’s perspective of themselves and others. Ivan O’Mahoney’s SBS documentary Go Back to Where You Came From (GBTWYCF) (2011) and Jacob Frey short animated film The Present explores several aspects of discovery such as audience, self-discovery as well as discoveries varying according to individuals. Both texts demonstrate the idea that new conceptions are formed during discovery.

Discovery of the audience is a major facet of any type of text as they then make a judgment according to what they discover. O’Mahoney elucidates this

In GBTWYCF Raquel undergoes a significant journey of self-discovery. In episode 1 Raquel is introduced as a stereotype by a close-up shot “I guess I am a bit racist, yeah, the color of their skin, I just don’t like Africans.” She confesses herself that I don’t like ‘black people.’ This shows that she judges people by their appearance instead of judging them from their personality. Later in the episode, Raquel stays with Masudi family, there she is continually focused by a close-up shot showing an arrogant face, emphasizing on the idea that she is feeling very uncomfortable while staying with Africans. Raquel’s notion is challenged throughout the journey but later it has a positive outcome. In episode 3 O’Mahoneys uses soft lighting and flattering camera angles and a close-up of Raquel “I think people should give people a chance before they judge a book by its cover, yeah, for sure. It’s a big shift, yeah, it’s a big shift, I have changed in a big way.” Raquel is shown embarrassed and guilty of her actions and her words and being spoilt. It is portrayed by O’Mahoney that if Requel can transform towards positive and discover the truth than anyone can change their

Jacob uses low angle shot to show the boy is ignoring and is superior to the puppy. This technique illustrates that Requel does not want to learn about Africans, staying in her own world created by herself to be comfortable. Similarly, the boy does not want to learn about the dog while focusing on his video game and by ignoring the puppy. Subsequently, it is shown that the boy starts to change by a close-up of the boy’s facial expression. These techniques are used to create suspense for the audience to think critically and discover as if the boy is going to play or not? It is vital for everyone to face discovery in their life which can change their notions and lead to a positive