Film Analysis: Benjamin Wigley’s “Paa Joe and the Lion”

After watching the film, Benjamin Wigley’s Paa Joe and the Lion (2016), write a response (300-375 words) that fully addresses the prompt below.

Topic:

• 1.Contexts in which coffins are commissioned and used
• 2.British public’s reactions to Paa Joe and Jacob’s coffin-making and attitudes towards death
• 3.The funeral for Paa Joe’s mother (the family’s preparations for the funeral, coffin-making, burial)
• 4.The unveiling of the lion coffin and ceremony in the National Trust’s Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, UK

Prompt: For your response to the discussion question, pick 1 of the topics (e.g. “Contexts in which coffins are commissioned and used” etc.) listed above. In your response, discuss:

• 1.Your initial reactions and/or thoughts to the film
• 2.How does the film address, illustrate, or make use of your chosen topic?
  • Be sure to discuss at least 2 examples from the film for your chosen topic
• 3.Who do you think is the primary audience for this film? Why?
• 4.Optional: any questions that came up for you while watching this film