6 TIMES REDFERN NOW SHOWS US THAT NATIONAL ANTHEM MEANS NOTHING FOR THE STUDENTS:

Sixteen-year-old Joel Shields has just won an indigenous scholarship to Clifton Grammar – one of Sydney’s most elite private schools. It’s his first day and at the assembly Joel doesn’t sing the national anthem properly, as he is a little confused (as shown by Joel’s silence and facial expression).

While Joel was given homework that night to learn the words and join in, that troubled his father Eddie. He probably doesn’t want his son to sing the anthem or even stand for that. His father supported him for not singing the anthem.
He said to Joel, “I have never stood up for that song”, and further added, “ it’s not our song, it doesn’t belong to us.”

In this scene the principal is having a chat with Joel’s parents about not singing the anthem. Joel’s father seems a bit angry (as indicated by Eddie’s voice and gestures) and argues about getting him up, making him sing the anthem, and
not considering Joel’s principles. Joel decides to do what he believes in, which was not singing the anthem. And he refused to sing it in front of everyone. He was expelled. But it was realised that nobody can change one’s beliefs by forcing them to do something.

Joel didn’t lose hope even after being expelled. He went to school. His teacher seemed happy about his comeback (as indicated by Joel’s facial expression) but the principal’s ego made her throw Joel out of the school. He came back again the next day with a news reporter then we saw the extreme close up on the newspaper, which said “aboriginal youth expelled over national anthem”. In this scene Joel is showing the school, teachers and the principal that he is taking a stand for his beliefs and the thing, which he thinks is right for him, not just the principal or school policy. He is proving that he has rights too.

In this scene, Joel’s peers, who are also aboriginals, are getting his back. They refuse to sing and stand for the national anthem. The principal ‘Rachel Perkins’ seems extremely angry (as indicated by principal’s voice and expressions). This was only to stand up for their rights, beliefs, culture and most of all Joel. When the principle warned them for being expelled, The students stated, “our parents are right behind us they are proud for something we stand for, and if we get expelled so be it the reckon”.

In this scene the director uses bright colors and cheerful music to indicate Joel and his parent’s happiness, as the principle has come to take Joel back to his school and position. But his father reminds the principal by saying, “Make sure he doesn’t have to sing the national anthem.”

You never know what result comes from your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result. Therefore, never give up and always stand for your beliefs and rights.