Boys in the Trees (ATOM Study Guide)

Synopsis
It’s Halloween 1997 – the last night of high school for Corey, Jango and their skater gang, The Gromits. Childhood is over and adult life beckons. But for Corey, his past has some unfinished business. When he encounters Jonah, a former childhood friend but now victimised by Jango’s cruel streak, Corey takes pity on him and agrees to walk him home for old times’ sake.

What starts off as a normal walk through empty suburban streets descends into something darker and magical as they tell each other ghost stories, drawing upon their fears of the world around them. But on the night of the grave’s delight, even the most buried truths will find a way of coming to life.

Theme
Boys in the Trees is a coming-of-age story that deals with the theme of bullying in a very accessible way for a young adult audience. The film looks at the offenders, victims and, all-importantly, the witnesses of bullying.

The film is an engaging way for students to understand the devastating effects that bullying can have on the victims and others directly (or sometimes indirectly) involved.

Curriculum links
Boys in the Trees is relevant to Year 10 studies of English, Media Arts, and Health and Physical Education. It can also be used as a supplementary text for these subjects in Year 11–12 studies.