About the Creator: Shaun Tan

Shaun Tan was born in Australia in 1974. He is the writer and film maker of The Lost Thing, and won an Academy Award for it in 2011. The Lost Thing is an adaptation of The Arrival, which he both wrote and illustrated. Shaun Tan defies what a normal writer is and he has inspired many with both his books and films.

 

The Lost Thing: Living for Nothing

          The Lost Thing shows that everything and everyone has a place in this world, although some may have to look a little harder to find it than others. Throughout our experience watching the film we decided to look into both the literal and deeper meaning of the work. The film resembled today’s society about how we have lost our way in seeing the simple joys in life along with the creativity of growing up.

          When the boy first finds the lost thing we think it is symbolic of him also being lost. He seems too, along with the lost thing, not really have a place in the world. He is not only ignored by others, but his one true friend at the time seems to be the lost thing. Throughout the story he is trying to find anyone that accepts the lost thing like he does. This we believe means he is trying to force the lost thing back into places it does not belong. When he took it to the dark reception room he thought that would solve his problems with finding where the lost thing belonged, and in a sense it did with the crude little man. This man finally showed there is another out and a place where people belong.

          We believe that this short film also discusses the byproducts of widespread industrialization. These include the loss of creativity and humor. The Lost Thing depicts a world where things that are unique do not belong. They are lost. The main character, a man who lived with his family, was a regular person. In this setting, ‘a regular person’ is someone who follows a boring routine everyday, someone who has lost the special parts of life. But he was able to see the Lost Thing when no one else could.

          Gradually, towards the end of the narrative, he lost that ability. I believe that draws parallels to our world today. We live in a universe where technology and mass production are in high demand. Everyone wants ‘more’ (just like on the signs in the movie). With this enormous demand comes the need for standardization – the removal of most unique aspects, so that things can be produced quicker and in greater numbers. Due to this, as shown in the movie, life becomes monotonous and dull. When the boy finally finds the place where he believes the lost thing belongs, the colors and textures show a drastic change from the world he is used to. The fresh green grass in this scene could symbolize a new beginning. The vast array of other unique lost things depicts a world of acceptance and virtue.

          Throughout the film, the boy and the lost thing wandered around asking anyone if they had any idea who the lost thing belonged too. One quote that resonated with us was when the boy said in reference to looking for the lost thing’s home, “this was one of those places where you to go searching in order to know about it.” We think that is showing that not everything/problem has a simple answer. In our society today, not everything is black and white. Unique things are forgotten about in our fast paced society.

          Our brains work using quick shortcuts for everything and when things are too complex, people would rather forget about them, then try to understand them. Thus, the unique lost thing becomes lost. The lost thing did belong somewhere, however he just had to search for his place. Everyone in society has a group they fit in, we just have to find it.

          The Lost Thing demonstrates many metaphors and symbolic themes throughout the film. We believe the deeper meaning behind the numerous mood shifts between the lost boy’s life and his time of happiness and joy with the lost thing foreshadows that as members of society, we have lost track of what it means to live a full life. A life lived awaiting for the next day to arise, is a life without true happiness.

Spencer’s Thoughts

          I think “The lost Thing” resembles the way children adapt to society and lose a sense of creativity and imagination as we grow up. When the boy is taking the lost thing to the large building with no windows, everyone and everything are moving in the opposite direction. I believe this scene relates to how little we notice in today’s world once we fall into daily routines. The film also demonstrates a loss of  joy among everyone the boy comes in contact with. Maybe this short film symbolizes how we have lost our way in seeing the simple joys in life.

Arhana’s Thoughts

          I believe that this short film was about the byproducts of widespread industrialization. These include the loss of creativity and humor. ‘The Lost Thing’ depicted a world where things that are unique do not belong. They are lost. The main character, a man who lived with his family, was a regular person. In this setting, ‘a regular person’ is someone who follows a boring routine everyday, someone who has lost the special parts of life. But he was able to see the Lost Thing when no one else could. Gradually, towards the end of the narrative, he lost that ability. I believe that draws parallels to our world today.

          We live in a universe where technology and mass production are in high demand. Everyone wants ‘more’ (just like on the signs in the movie). With this enormous demand comes the need for standardization – the removal of most unique aspects, so that things can be produced quicker and in greater numbers. Due to this, as shown in the movie, life becomes monotonous and dull. The quirks and unique things no longer belong. They are the lost things.

Ally’s Thoughts

          I think the short story shows that everything and everyone has a place in this world, although some may have to look a little harder to find it than others. When the boy first finds the lost thing I think it is symbolic of him also being lost. He seems to, along with the lost thing, not really have a place in the world. He is not only ignored by others, but his one true friend at the time seems to be the lost thing. Throughout the story he is trying to find anyone that accepts the lost thing like he does. This I believe means he is trying to force the lost thing back into places it does not belong.

          When he took it to the dark reception room he thought that would solve his problems with finding where the lost thing belonged, and in a sense it did with the weird little man. This man finally showed there is another out and a place where people belong. One quote that resonated with me was when the boy said in reference to looking for the lost thing’s home, “this was one of those places where you to go searching in order to know about it.” I think that is showing that not everything/problem has a simple answer. The lost thing did belong somewhere, however he just had to search for his place. Everyone in society has a group they fit in, we just have to find it.