The Year My Voice Broke

The Year My Voice Broke. Directed by John Duigan. Avenue Pictures, 1987. 103 Minutes.


Genre: Romance, Drama


Rating: PG-13


Freya and Danny have been friends since they were children. As teenagers they move in different social circles, yet often return to their secret rock cropping outside their small Australian hometown to be together. Despite Danny’s telepathic attempts to make Freya love him she falls in love with the school’s most wild student, Trevor. For a distraction Danny investigates the story behind a supposedly haunted house which leads to discovering a link to Freya’s past and a scandalous town secret. The Year My Voice Broke is an emotionally bittersweet movie about friendship, love, and everything in between.


Discussion:


· Unrequited love is when one person loves another, but the love is not returned. Danny is younger than Freya, but is that the only reason why she is not in love with him?

· What is so special about Freya’s locket? How did it make its way back to her?


· Danny knows Trevor is a bad match for Freya. Even though Danny cannot control Freya's thoughts and actions through telepathy, he still loves her, why?

This story is set in 1962, and has a fabulous soundtrack to match. If you like the songs you heard try these albums:
Peterson, Ray. (1960). Tell Laura I Love Her

The Shadows.  (2004).  The Best of the Shadows

If you enjoyed the rugged Australian landscape you may want to consider watching another Australian coming-of-age film, Walkabout, based off the book by the same name.
Movie:  Walkabout.  Directed by Nicolas Roeg.  Twentieth Century Fox, 1971. 100 Minutes. Rated GP (general purpose)

Book:  Marshall, James Vance.  (1959).  Walkabout.  Marlborough, MA:  Sundance Publishing.  ISBN:  0887410995

Activity idea:  The Year My Voice Broke's soundtrack captures the spirit of the era in which it is supposed to take place.  Music is a creative way to instill excitement about history.  Pick a decade or a year and research what songs were popular.  Talk or write about why you think certain songs were well received based upon what other details they research on their chosen era.  Also, compile a playlist of songs for your own personal soundtrack.

Let us know what your take on The Year My Voice Broke.

Trailer from Youtube
CD Cover Art from CD Universe
Walkabout image from Internet movie Database