Home URL
Screening Shorts Logo white

Nits

Harry Wootliff, 2003

Seven-year-old James has two problems: his mum is distracted and neglectful after a trip to hospital - and nits. Even after his father explains the cause of his mum's behaviour, James remains confused. Unable to fully grasp his mother’s lack of consideration for him and irritated by his nit affliction, James grows increasingly angry and frustrated; but finally his mother helps him to understand her behaviour and how people grieve.

Clip Details

Genre: Drama

Record ID: 007-002-000-123-C

Country of Origin: UK

Clip Length: 10:00

Age Group: S4-S6

Classroom Activities

  • When James shouts, ‘It wasn’t my fault,’ what does he mean?
  • What are James’ misconceptions of death?
  • Show the scene where James throws the toys and blankets out of the window. Why does James do this? Discuss the technique used to show the passage of time: why does it take an unnatural time for the blanket to fall? What is it saying?
  • Screen the film and look out for different shot types and camera movements: close-ups; depth of field; pans; cuts between characters; the moving versus the stationary camera. What effect does this have on our knowledge of the characters and their relationships?
  • How do different angles and shot types show the relationship between James and his mother?
  • During the conversation in the sitting room, the focus of the depth of field changes from the adults to James. Discuss the connection between character and focus – can we tell what James is thinking by the way the camera focuses our attention?
  • Look at the use of high and low angles in the film (for instance, the low angle shot to show James coming down the stairs and the high angle used when James buys an ice cream). Discuss how camera angle can reinforce characters’ point of view.
  • Listen to the soundtrack of the film and discuss how sound adds to storytelling on screen. For instance, in the sitting room, the clock is ticking as James comes down the stairs and when he is waiting for his mother to come back from hospital. Why is this sound so important? How does the sombre music link with the colours used for the scene in which James comes down the stairs?
  • List moments when the camera is moving in the film and identify them. What story information are these camera moves communicating? (For instance, in the opening scene the camera slowly zooms into the window with the mannequin and cuts to zooming into James’ face – discuss what connection the filmmaker is trying to establish.)
  • Explore the scene where James’ mum is talking to him through the net curtain. Compare this with the scene where James is asking his mum why she is not in bed. Discuss how body positions emphasise roles and levels of communication. In the scene where James’ dad is telling him that the baby is dead, explore the shifts in level.
  • Freeze frame the scene where the father is kneeling by the bath talking to James. Why does the father stumble over the choice of words? Why is he kneeling at James’ level? Have you ever had difficulty explaining something or been at a loss for words? Why do you think the film cuts to the mother listening to the conversation? How would you describe James’ and his mother’s feelings at the time?
  • How does James deal with his grief? What is his initial reaction? Is this what you would expect?
  • How does the mother deal with her grief?
  • Where has the ice-cream seller’s wife been and why? What relevance does this have to James's story?
  • Why is the film called ‘Nits’ over another, perhaps more obvious, title? Suggest alternative titles.
  • Discuss feelings of loss, grief and death.
  • Do you think James is too young to handle the situation? Should children be protected from some difficult knowledge in life? What might that be? Why do you think that? What should they be told instead?
  • Write a screenplay on the theme of loss.
  • Investigate colour psychology. Look at the use of colour in the film – perhaps focus on the colour of James’ jumper compared to the other colours in the story, and the ladybird. Does this suggest any symbolic meaning?

Clip Details

Genre: Drama

Record ID: 007-002-000-123-C

Country of Origin: UK

Clip Length: 10:00

Education Level: Senior Phase