Media Studies students experience New Zealand International Film Festival opening night

The premiere gave students an opportunity to connect their classroom learning with the professional film industry. They attended the red-carpet event, analysed the film’s exploration of identity and queer representation, observed film techniques studied in class and took part in a post-screening interview.

The interview allowed students to share their reflections on camera. They discussed the film’s emotional impact and its portrayal of adolescence, identity and the search for belonging.

Set in the summer of 2006, Big Girls Don’t Cry uses striking cinematography to tell a story that remains highly relevant. The students recognised how the film’s themes could resonate with audiences of different ages and experiences.

Speaking about the experience of attending the premiere, Year 12 student Ella Royle (Te Kanawa House) reflected on the film’s coming-of-age themes: ‘If you grow up looking into the eyes of others and you don’t see yourself reflected back in them, you spend your whole life searching for recognition. Those moments become so precious. You cherish what you find. This is not just apparent in the film’s protagonist, but the audience too. I think anyone who has ever wanted to be known will connect to this film. I feel so grateful that I got the opportunity to.’