“Zero”, by Christine Kezelos (analysis)
Not Belonging to Belonging to relationship Transition of belonging –
society/community/place belonging to society
Acceptance/ tolerance,
Beginning of the scene: inclusion/ (facilitate belonging, After the gang stopped: (point
(non-diegetic & music) “for they make it possible)/ open of view shot) captures female
some, life will be a constant minded to difference, zero standing and looking down
battle, offering zero unprejudiced at him – suggests hope and gives
opportunities” with an eerie After Zero saved female zero: power to the other people. This
music in a minor key played in (symbolism & music &close-up) does not make the other person
the background (and thunder) when they hold each other’s powerful in a negative side but
– foreshadows how Zero’s life hand - represents a connection positive, as they have the same
would be and introduces the and acceptance between the past experiences and the feeling
concept of not being allowed two. When close-ups capture the of not belonging. This allows the
to belong to a society. characters’ changes of facial audience to
expressions, from frown to a foreshadow/hypothesise/
Intolerance of difference (non- smile - reveal their extreme contemplate what will happen
acceptance) happiness as it is the first time next (that they will belong to each
Characters’ names they feel belonged. This idea is other). It also indicates that their
(beginning of scene): later reinforced by a grand yet life will be changed.
(symbolic of identity, how they peaceful music in the Acceptance
judge a person, prejudice) background as well as the After female zero revealed her
“Some people are born to be narrator’s statement - “the most pregnancy: (Juxtaposition) A
leaders, affecting great wonderful sensation is the medium shot has been used to
change amongst their people feeling of belonging” Overall, capture the scene when a group
[9]. Others are born to be allow audience to see that they of people is walking towards the
mediocre (average with a fall in a relationship and female zero to reprimand her. In
negative connotation) live in perceive their senses of the frame, only the female zero’s
unremarkable lives [5[. But for belonging to each other full body is captured, and with a
some, life would be a focus on her (who is in the
constant battle, offering zero centre), this makes her the
opportunities [0].” – it subject but vulnerable as she is
represents the characters’ persecuted by a group of people
identity and their unfair, lack where she is not accepted. Also,
of value in the society. It also due to the difference in
allows the audience to think appearance, brown versus white,
and explore how Zero’s not (where zero is brown and other
belonging to society would numbers are white) draws a
affect his life. contrast and allows the audience
Zero in jail (oppression of to immediately know that they do
powerful social forces): not belong. However, after the
(symbolism &long shot & female zero gave birth to a twin
lighting) Jail symbolizes “born with a mark of infinity,
barrier and separation, and the largest and most spectres
this symbolism is used in the number the people had ever
scene when Zero is separated see”, she carried the new born
from his first love (who is also baby to see Zero. A full shot has
a zero). A long shot is used to captured her in the foreground
depict the scene of Zero with other people standing behind
looking out her in the background.
from the jail’s window, and Although the focus is on the
with a dull lighting this also female zero but we are still able
creates melancholy tone as to see the smiles on the other
well as a nostalgic mood. people’s face. The smiles
symbolises the first time being
Inequity (unjust accepted by the society to zero
discrimination) and as they stand behind the
In classroom: (medium shot female zero, it implies support
& commentary)“It was and companionship which
forbidden for Zero’s means that the two zeros are no
denomination to multiply” longer excluded but now belong
(mathematical language to to the society. The tension of
describe human life) is recited the extreme happiness to the
by the narrator with the sound extent of belonging builds up
of Zero’s classmates giggling through an angelic heavenly
and smirking while a medium choir is heard creating an
shot captures some visuals atmosphere of positive
on the black board saying possibilities in society for an
that any numbers can be a infinity of achievement or
pair, but zero cannot be with progress. and several close-ups
zero. – conveys a sense of that showed every person’s
unfairness, engaging smiles. This encourages the
audience to feel empathy as audience to feel the joy for Zero
well as allowing them to as he “lived for a nothing, but he
understand what life would be has created something truly
if you are offered zero magnificent.”
opportunities.
Abuse of power
(barriers/obstacles to
belonging) – an ideal
community/society it needs
leaders who are accepting of
difference and eager to
include everyone
Zero being kicked: (direct
high angle shot) High angle
shot has been used to depict
Zero lying on the ground and
surrounded by a gang of
arrogant people, then a close-
up of Zero’s face zoomed in
to extreme close-up to his
eyes and eyebrows - allows
the audience to see Zero's
sorrowful facial expression as
well as to feel his pain and
hopelessness (hence
reinforcing Zero’s sense of
not belonging. (dark lighting)
this idea is expanded through
the use of dark lighting in the
same scene, as dark
suggests a meaning of evil
and cruelty which creates a
melancholy tone.
(his characterisation is heroic,
courageous and unselfish,
which juxtaposes with the
other selfish, cruel,
intolerance people – gain
support from viewers)
• The whole film is like an extended metaphor of how belonging should work in a community.
• Structure – instead of ending the film with the words “the end” it ends with the words “the
beginning”.
• It is a beginning for those zeros but also putting the viewers to infer the tolerance and
acceptance learned by the society, hence making the society into an enriched ideal community
with more human value. (meaning extended metaphor).
• Numbers are superficial features to the characters which parallels human discrimination like
race, religion or skin colour (filmic technique) – deliberate film technique to engage or question
the nature of difference separating people when they shouldn’t be.
• Characterisation – characterising big numbers as strongly intolerance in the classroom. The
girl surrounded by the gang (biased and evil people - obstacles of belonging).
• Catalyst for change - Their creativity of something valuable and view, i.e. the infinity sign,
parallels with our real world where often it’s the creative artists, writers and rebels of society
who are catalyst.
