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Most Beautiful Man in the World, The

Alicia Duffy, 2002

Young Lacey is bored and dreams of a life beyond what she knows. One day, she ventures further than she has ever gone before and meets a mysterious stranger. They seem to connect, but the mood changes when he sees Lacey's mother looking on with suspicion from the house.

This dream-like short is intentionally ambigiuous: is Lacey's encounter with the stranger innocent, or something more sinister?

Clip Details

Genre: Drama

Country of Origin: UK

Medium/Content: Colour, Sound, Live Action, Fiction

Clip Length: 05:00

Age Group: S4-S6

Classroom Activities

  • Based on what you see in the first shot, what impression do you have of Lacey?
  • What does the use of diegetic sounds have on this short film?
  • What impact does the lack of non-diegetic sounds have on the film and its overall feel?
  • Editing: discuss how the editing shows us what life is like for Lacey.
  • Describe the colour in the film and what this does for the overall style. How do the colours change when Lacey meets the stranger?
  • Discuss the use of close ups and long shots when we are being shown Lacey’s world and what this shows the audience.
  • How do the shots used when Lacey meets the stranger (03:10 – 03:35) tell us how she feels in that moment?
  • What genre do you think this film belongs to? Why you think this?
  • Who do you think the man was?
  • Would you have let Lacey wander off into the field? Discuss with a partner or have a class debate. Try arguing the opposite side to what you think for deeper critical thinking!
  • Why do you think Lacey was not scared of the man?
  • Where do you think this film was filmed/ set? Why? Why was it set there?
  • Who do you think this film was made for? Discuss who you think this was aimed at and why?
  • What would you have done if you were Lacey’s mum and why? Compare your thoughts with a partner.
  • Add a soundtrack to the film. Why did you choose these songs/this music?

    • Clip Details

    Genre: Drama

    Country of Origin: UK

    Medium/Content: Colour, Sound, Live Action, Fiction

    Clip Length: 05:00

    Education Level: Senior Phase