SYMBOLS
Hunt for the Wilerpeople
Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In our film Hunt for
the Wilderpeople, there are many different symbols that portray a deeper meaning.
Symbol Explanation Film Techniques / key scenes / Explanation
Hot Water When Ricky first starts living with Bella and Hec,
Bottle he is resistant to the idea of family, unable to
believe that he will ever feel loved and cared for.
However, when he finds a hot water bottle in his
bed, which Bella left for him to keep him warm
at night, he realises that his new foster mother
has his best interests in mind. The hot water
bottle comes to symbolise the comfort and
familial warmth that Ricky feels with the
Faulkners.
The two close up shots emphasise/bring out
attention to the hot water bottle that was
given to Ricky from Bella on his first night with
Bella and Hec. The second image is taken from
a scene during Ricky’s third night with the
family. It is clear that he is feeling comfortable
and secure, laying in bed with the hot water
bottle. Therefore, the hot water bottle is a
symbol of home, family, and security.
The Bush The wilderness, or the bush as it is referred to in
the film, symbolises freedom and introspection
(the examination or observation of one's own
mental and emotional processes).
In the beginning of the film, Bella tells Ricky that
she feels called to the bush and teaches him some
survival tricks. Then, when Hec and Ricky go on
the run through the bush, they each find freedom
and clarity by battling the elements and
journeying through the wilderness. The bush is a
wild place in which it is difficult to survive, but
one Hec and Ricky learn to work with the
elements rather than against them, they find a
deep satisfaction in this harmony with nature. The
bush symbolises the beauty that exists outside of
the bounds and restrictions of society, and a
human's ability to work with the elements rather
than against them.
Huia Bird In their journey through the bush, Hec and Ricky
encounter the huia bird, a bird that is believed to
be extinct. Their discovery of this bird represents
the fact that they are in harmony with nature.
While society has written off this bird as extinct,
Hec and Ricky are able to find it by becoming one
with their surroundings and listening to the bush,
rather than seeking to conquer it. The bird
represents harmony with nature and the wild.
Haiku’s One of Ricky's only coping mechanisms to deal
with the difficulties of his life is to write haikus.
He writes them throughout, and they help him
express his feelings. By the end, he has also
taught Hec, who has always been illiterate, to
write his own haikus. The little poems represent
the more heartfelt emotions that each of them
are feeling, in contrast with their tough or
performative exteriors. The haikus represent a
connection to internal emotions.
The The title of the film is based on one of Ricky’s
Wildebeest wordplays: After reading that migrating
wildebeests travel a thousand miles, he reckons
that he and Hec are “wilderpeople.” Generally
speaking, the Wildebeest symbolism reminds you
of the need to strengthen the bonds you share
with family and friends. It can also represent the
benefits of being part of a team. There is only so
much you can achieve by yourself, but the
possibilities are endless with others. This is
relevant to Hec and Ricky are they venture
through the bush together, working together to
survive whilst strengthening their
bond/relationship.
The colour The colour red in the film Hunt for the
red Wilderpeople is symbolic of many
emotions/feelings, such as; love and warmth,
danger and violence and rebellion and adventure.
The red Hot Water Bottle given to Ricky by Bella
as we know, provides Ricky with warmth and
comfort. Therefore, The colour red that is
associated with this hot water bottle connotes
feelings of love and warmth.
Furthermore, danger and violence is represented
through the colour red, specifically when Bella
kills the pig. During this scene, we see bright red
blood on Bella’s face, as well as a flash of the
colour red onto the screen. The flash of the colour
red onto the screen allows the audience to
understand Ricky’s emotions - hesitant, scared,
shocked. In our everyday lives, the colour red is
typically associated with danger (stop signs, red
traffic lights telling us to stop). This flash of red
could symbolise Ricky’s inner voice wanting this
situation to stop. On the other hand, the flash of
red could symbolise comfort in the fact that Ricky
is bonding with Bella, participating in farm
activities and something she enjoys doing.
Lastly, the colour red is symbolic of rebellion and
adventure. When Ricky arrives at the farm, he is
seen wearing a red jacket - the same red jacket he
was wearing when we saw him participate in
illegal activities. Ricky didn’t wear this same red
jacket until he began his journey into the bush -
adventure. This red jacket is symbolic of him
wearing a ‘mask’ to conceal himself and his
emotions. When Ricky wears his jacket in the
bush, it is symbolic of his rebellion against child
protection, but also new found confidence in the
bush.
