This talk aims at discussing the use of music, film and culture in an English (or Literature) class at college. We propose an analysis of the feature film "Once" (2006), directed by John Carney, from an intermedial perspective. The narrative is a beautifully woven patchwork of accounts, music, poetry, silence, creativity and partnership. The main characters, an Irish street musician and a young Eastern European girl, start a relationship heavily based on music. Both sing and play musical instruments. The songs they write tell the moving tale of their lives and their search for identity. Both the immigrant and the 'local' feel misplaced in Dublin, a city that comprises a great multicultural diversity. The places where they live and the language they use reflect their social background; the lyrics they write show their hope or frustration; the light in the scenes stands for their emotional state. "Once" is a kaleidoscope: it is lyrics, music, colour, images, words and silence. Everything is integrated thus ensuring that language, literature and culture are not studied in isolation. We have noticed that the use of music and film in the classroom greatly motivates the students. They seem to be eager to analyse the cultural - as well as the linguistic - aspects involved, which makes their learning (and our teaching experience) more rewarding. Therefore, we believe that the challenge of using different media in the classroom is essential: the classes become livelier and the students do participate enthusiastically. (C) Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of The Association of Science, Education and Technology
