SERIES 2, EPISODE 4
© ATOM 2013 A STUDY GUIDE BY KATY MARRINER
http://www.metromagazine.com.au
ISBN: 978-1-74295-383-0 http://www.theeducationshop.com.au Redfern Now Series 2 portrays contemporary inner city Indigenous life in and around the suburb of Redfern in Sydney, New South Wales. The series offers compelling stories of ordinary people dealing with the ups and downs that life brings. Redfern Now is a drama series written, directed and produced by Indigenous Australians. The series was developed in collaboration with UK screenwriter Jimmy McGovern and is produced by Blackfella Films’ Darren Dale and Miranda Dear, and presented by ABC TV and Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW.
Now has relevance to units of work in CURRICULUM Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LINKS Studies, Australian History, Cultural Studies, English, Health and Human Redfern Now is suitable for second- Development, Literature, Media, ary students in Years 9–12. The Religion and Society, and Sociology. series offers stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples told by Teachers are advised to direct stu- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dents to complete activities that are peoples, allowing students to develop subject-relevant and age-appropriate. an awareness and appreciation of Indigenous storytelling and to see the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres BLACKFELLA Strait Islanders from their perspective. FILMS
Given its insight into the present expe- For twenty years, Blackfella Films has riences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait created innovative and high-quality Islander peoples, the series provides content across documentary and nar- opportunities for students to engage rative in both short and feature formats in discussions about Aboriginal and for theatrical, television and online plat- Torres Strait Islander identity and be- forms. Its award-winning productions longing and to examine the influences have screened at premier international of family, kinship, community, place, film festivals including Sundance, culture and mainstream Australian Berlin and Toronto, and distinguished society. its team as creators and curators of distinctive Australian content. In addition, the stories told by Redfern Now are those of ordinary people The company was founded in 1992 dealing with the extraordinary chal- by writer/director/producer Rachel lenges of ordinary existence. The Perkins who was joined by producer episodes explore universal themes Darren Dale in 2002. In 2010, former and issues of significance to any ABC Head of Fiction, Miranda Dear audience, regardless of their cultural joined Blackfella Films as producer on background. the company’s drama slate.
For students in Years 9–10, Redfern The company’s credits include the Now has relevance to units of work in documentary series First Australians, the learning areas of English, Media the feature documentary The Tall and History, and addresses the Man (Tony Krawitz, 2011), the ABC cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal telemovie Mabo (Rachel Perkins, SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 and Torres Strait Islander Histories 2012), the annual Indigenous film and Cultures. The series can also be festival Message Sticks (2002–2011) used to teach the general capabilities and Redfern Now Series 1. The series, of Intercultural Understanding and which went to air in November 2012, Ethical Behaviour. was the first Australian drama series written, directed and produced by For students in Years 11–12, Redfern Indigenous Australians. 2 SERIES KEY Most Outstanding Drama Series. Dale currently serves on the board of CREATIVES Screen NSW and the Council of the Visit Blackfella Films online at Jimmy McGovern – Australian Film, Television and Radio
year Dale was awarded this prize. SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 brought subsequent change in film series The New Black. Dear also Redfern. Aboriginal people began With his Blackfella Films business commissioned the television series The returning from rural areas to Sydney partner, Perkins, Dale co-curated the Slap, The Straits, Paper Giants and Miss in search of employment. Many film program for the Message Sticks Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. found work at the Eveleigh Railway Indigenous Festival at the Sydney Since 2010, Dear has worked with Workshops and settled in Redfern, Opera House from 2002 until 2011. Blackfella Films and produced, with until the Great Depression forced Most recently Dale produced Redfern Darren Dale, Mabo and Redfern Now them back into temporary camps in Now Series 1 for ABC TV, which won Series 1. La Perouse. the 2013 TV Week Logie Award for 3 From the end of World War Two, the How does the series portray Aboriginal population in Redfern grew Redfern and the people who live and a sense of community evolved. there? Draw on evidence from By the early 1960s, Redfern was home each episode to support your to over 12,000 Aboriginal people, response. some employed in local industry and • Working as a class, discuss why others who were unemployed and the filmmakers chose to set the underprivileged. New opportunities series in Redfern. and the freedom afforded to Aboriginal • Create an infographic about the people by the National Referendum suburb of Redfern. of 1967 encouraged the migration of Begin your research at the Aboriginal people to Sydney. Redfern’s Australian Bureau of Statistics: population swelled to 35,000 people.
‘CONSEQUENCES’ ‘CONSEQUENCES’ WAS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY LEAH PURCELL. TEACHERS MAY SELECT FROM THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS’ VIEWING AND CLOSE ANALYSIS OF ‘CONSEQUENCES’.
Mattie attends Jack’s funeral, intent on SYNOPSIS placing her graduation photograph on CHARACTERS his coffin and telling the congregation Thirty-five year old high achiever, Mattie about her relationship to Jack. Before The major characters of (Tammy Clarkson) has just received Mattie can do this, Brenda recognises ‘Consequences’ are Mattie Collinson, a Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural her from the café and realises that the Patricia Collinson, Jack Mikkel, Brenda Anthropology. She races to share the conversation they had about dead Mikkel and Richard Mikkel. The minor news with her estranged white father, fathers was not a coincidence. When characters of ‘Consequences’ are: Jack, (Craig McLachlan) who she has Mattie informs Brenda that she will be Susan Mikkel, Peter Mikkel, Coral, not seen in nineteen years. Mattie speaking, during the service, the half- Damo and the minister who presides wants to gloat. She wants to thank sisters argue until Richard intervenes. at the funeral service. him for leaving her Aboriginal mother Brenda is determined that Mattie will Patricia (Kylie Belling) and herself when not hurt her grieving mother and dam- * Patricia is referred to as Trish by she was ten years old. His decision had age Jack’s reputation. other characters. a huge impact on Mattie and Patricia’s life but she has succeeded without him. The service begins and Mattie takes • A sociogram is a visual representa- Mattie makes the call only for Richard a seat at the back of the church. The tion of the relationships of a group (Steve Bisley), Jack’s older brother to eulogies acknowledge Jack’s virtues of people. ‘Consequences’ tells answer the phone. Richard informs her as a man. Mattie listens to the stories the shared story of the Mikkel and that Jack died two days earlier. of Jack’s kindness and generosity. She Collinson families. recalls the difficulties of her teenage Draw and annotate a sociogram Mattie is determined that Jack’s family years and her mother’s devotion to that describes and explains the – her white family – will acknowledge Jack. When it is Mattie’s turn to speak, relationships between the Mikkels her existence. As Mattie drives from she chooses to remember Jack fondly. and the Collinsons. Canberra to Sydney to attend Jack’s Satisfied by her contribution to the ser- funeral, her memories of the time she vice, she leaves the church and walks spent with her father as a child over- the streets of her old neighbourhood. Success
whelm her. When she gets to Sydney SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 she goes straight to Jack’s butcher Mattie can now return home. As she 1 ‘Consequences’ begins with shop, but discovers that it is now is checking out of the hotel, Brenda Mattie in academic dress, being con- a café run by her half sister Brenda arrives. She has found a gift from Jack ferred with a Doctor of Philosophy in (Alicia Gardiner). She manages to to Mattie in his bedside table. It is the Cultural Anthropology. For thirty-five- strike up a conversation with Brenda box of blocks that Mattie played with year old Mattie, achieving this aca- but decides to wait until the funeral to as a child – a reminder of the good demic qualification is a measure of her reveal who she is. times. success in life, and a vindication of her PHOTOS: MARK ROGERS PHOTOS: 5 4
struggle to overcome the disadvantag- es of her childhood and adolescence.
• Describe how Mattie’s character is her car. The phone rings - it is Caleb. Collinson-Mikkel family is estab- introduced to the audience. Your Mattie picks up. Caleb wants to know lished in the scene that begins answer should refer to the plot where Mattie is. Mattie explains that the flashback. Are they a happy and setting, as well as production her father is dead. Caleb tells her to family? elements such as acting, framing, come home. She refuses. • Trish: ‘Us, this, has never been lighting and sound. simple.’ • The audience is not told who Recall your initial response to the After the graduation ceremony, Mattie Caleb is but is left to infer his conversation between Trish and makes a call on her mobile phone. The relationship with Mattie. What does Jack. audience hears the phone ringing and the existence of Caleb suggest Describe Trish and Jack’s relation- then a man’s voice answering ‘Hello’. about Mattie’s adult life? ship. Draw on Trish’s reference to • ‘I’m driving to Redfern. My father the relationship as complicated. • ‘I’m going to email you a photo, is getting this photo. On his coffin, • Mattie: ‘Where does Dad go?’ you old bastard. I did it.’ – Mattie front and centre.’ – Mattie Trish: ‘To get the moo cows for his Mattie thinks she is speaking to What does the opening sequence butcher’s shop.’ Jack, her father. The man she is establish as Mattie’s motivation for Describe Mattie and Trish’s rela- in fact speaking to is his brother, attending her father’s funeral? tionship. Your response should Mattie’s Uncle Richard. As you analyse ‘Consequences’, comment on Trish’s desire to pro- Explain the significance of Mattie’s return to the subject of Mattie’s tect her daughter’s innocence. claim: ‘Shit! Don’t tell me you’ve motivation. Does Mattie’s motiva- • Analyse the use of production got more than one of me.’ What tion change? Why? elements in this and the following did you understand this claim to flashback sequences to recreate mean the first time you watched the temporal setting of Mattie’s ‘Consequences’? Happy childhood and adolescence. Describe Mattie’s reaction to the families news Jack died two days ago. 2 Your answer should also comment Jack’s Quality on Tammy Clarkson’s acting. How The episode relies on flashback se- Butcher does Clarkson use movement, ges- quences to portray Mattie’s childhood 3 ture and voice to portray Mattie’s memories of her father. response to her father’s death? Mattie drives to Redfern. The framed ‘And I’m asking you, no, I’m telling The first flashback sequence begins in photograph of Mattie on the occasion you to stay away.’ – Richard the Collinson home. Jack and Mattie of her graduation is on the back seat What were your initial impressions are playing with Cuisenaire rods at the of the car. Mattie can see it in the rear of Richard’s warning to Mattie? dining room table. Trish is watching view mirror.
Why did you think he was telling them play. When Mattie goes to bed, SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 Mattie to stay away? she listens to her parents speaking in • Explain the significance of the shot a hushed tone, aware that something of the photograph. As you watch Richard hangs up. Mattie redials but is wrong. She gets out of bed and ‘Consequences’ consider how the the call goes to voicemail. Mattie eavesdrops on the conversation from rear view mirror of the car is used listens to Jack’s message. a vantage point on the stairs. as a story telling device.
The action shifts again. Mattie is in • Describe the way the Mattie’s destination is her father’s 6 4
back again. The adult Mattie remem- bers spending time in the butcher shop as a child.
The flashback begins with Mattie in the butcher shop with her father. She is behind the counter. As a customer nears the door of the shop, Jack sug- gests they play hide and seek. Mattie moves into the room behind the shop and hides.
• Describe Mattie’s view from her hiding position in the rear room of the shop. In your response, comment on how the camerawork shows Mattie’s point of view. • Mattie remembers finding a jewel- lery box in her father’s pocket. Inside the jewellery box is a bracelet. The engraving on the heart shaped locket reads ‘To my daughter’. Is Mattie listening to the con- versation between Jack and the butcher shop – Jack’s Quality Butcher. between Mattie and Peter part of customers? the plot? Mattie thinks the bracelet is for her. • As Mattie walks purposefully The audience already knows that towards the shop, an Indigenous this will not be the case given the man asks her for ‘shrapnel’. To my adult Brenda now wears the locket How does Mattie respond to the daughter on a chain around her neck. man’s request? Explain the signifi- 4 What do the conversations cance of this encounter. between Jack and his wife and The bell on the butcher shop door daughter tell the audience about Jack’s Quality Butcher is now a café. rings as customers make their way his relationships with them? A surprised Mattie enters the café in and out of the café. The ring of the • Mattie recalls the Christmas and orders a coffee. Mattie does not bell is a device used by the director to celebration when she expected recognise Brenda as her half-sister. move from the present to the past and to receive the bracelet from her Brenda is also ignorant of the fact that father. Mattie is her half-sister. When Mattie What does Jack give Mattie? Why realises who Brenda is, she chooses is Mattie disappointed? What does not to divulge any more information. Leah Purcell, the writer and direc- tor of ‘Consequences’, want the • Mattie: ‘This used be a butcher’s audience to understand? shop.’ Trish gives Jack a framed pho- Brenda: ‘Yeah, my dad’s.’ tograph of the Mikkel-Collinson Why doesn’t Mattie choose this family. moment to tell Brenda who she is? Describe Jack’s response. What does his placement of the photo- While Mattie chooses to visit Jack’s graph on the cabinet in the lounge butcher shop, she does not expect to room indicate about the way he meet her half-sister. She is even less leads his life? prepared when she meets her half- SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 brother in the restaurant of the hotel The flashback sequence cuts from where she is staying on the morning of Christmas at the Collinson home to Jack’s funeral. the butcher shop. Jack is talking to Susan and Brenda, when Mattie ar- • Why do you think the writer of rives. Mattie enters the shop, takes ‘Consequences’, Leah Purcell, hold of Brenda’s wrist and looks at the made this chance encounter bracelet. 7 4
has ‘come back to gloat’? • The audience meets Mattie at her graduation ceremony. She has made a life for herself. Brenda is introduced to the audience when she is serving behind the counter at the Butcher’s Shop Café. In this sequence, Brenda speaks of her life as having been dictated by a duty to family. How does Brenda view her life? Has Brenda achieved her potential? How does Brenda view Mattie’s life? What comment is Purcell making about an individual’s realisation of their potential? Make links to the following scenes: -- Mattie and Jack building a • Trish: ‘What did you do Mattie?’ name in the register. She intends to pyramid with the Cuisenaire Mattie: ‘The girl had the bracelet.’ speak at the service. As Mattie is rods; Does Mattie understand why the viewing her father’s body, Brenda ar- -- Susan boasting about Brenda’s girl is wearing the bracelet? rives. Brenda recognises Mattie and is success at school; Why does she follow Susan and confused about why she is at Jack’s -- Mattie receiving the academic Brenda home? funeral. honour of Year 10 Dux; Is she aware of the possible con- -- Coral telling Mattie to make sequences of her actions? • Brenda: ‘What have you got there? something of her life. Can I see?’ • Brenda: ‘My dad’s not the one Mattie now knows that this is where Mattie: ‘It’s going on my father’s who’s going to get hurt by this.’ her father goes. Jack drives his coffin.’ Who does Brenda want to protect? daughter home. Brenda: ‘Where’s that?’ Is Brenda already feeling hurt? Mattie: ‘Here.’ • Brenda: ‘Used to happen a lot. • Describe Trish’s response to her Brenda: ‘I’ll do it for you.’ White man. Black woman.’ daughter’s distress, when she first Mattie: ‘No, thanks. I intend to stay Why does Brenda resort to insult- arrives home, and after Jack has for the funeral and I’m going to ing the relationship between Jack gone. speak.’ and Trish? • Jack: ‘It’s over Patricia.’ Discuss Brenda’s reaction to Mattie tells Brenda that Trish and Trish: ‘Did your wife see her? Your Mattie’s explanation of her pres- Jack were together for twenty-two daughter?’ ence at Jack’s funeral. years. Why has Jack decided that his Why does Brenda deny this to be relationship with Trish is over? Brenda and Mattie move outside and true? Explain Trish’s response. to the back of the church. Brenda Do you think Susan ‘turned a blind wants to know what Mattie intends to eye’ as Mattie suggests to Jack’s say. affair? Hurt • Brenda: ‘You patronising bitch. You • Mattie: ‘Well, let’s see. I’m going to played me at the café. You knew 5 When Mattie arrives at the talk about a man who walked out all along.’ church, she sits in her car. Her phone on my mother. A man who didn’t Mattie: ‘No I didn’t.’ rings but she ignores it. The hearse contribute a cent. A man who de- Discuss Brenda’s belief that she is already outside the church. An stroyed my mother’s life and mine.’ has been ‘played’ by Mattie. Does
Indigenous woman watches Mattie as Brenda: ‘Destroyed your life, hey. she also feel as if she has been SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 she crosses the road and walks into So you’ve come back to gloat.’ ‘played’ by others? the churchyard. Mattie: ‘No. To show him I just did • Write a commentary about the act- fine.’ ing of both Tammy Clarkson and • Is Mattie uncertain of what she What does Mattie’s comment Alicia Gardiner as they argue about should do? reveal about her motivation and Mattie’s right to attend the funeral her hurt? service and to speak to the mourn- Inside the church, Mattie writes her Is Brenda right to claim that Mattie ers about her father. Comment on 8 4
The Mikkel family, and others who have come to mourn the passing of Jack Mikkel, file into the church. Mattie stands at the entrance to the church looking through the glass paneled doors. The family pays their respects, the casket is closed and Jack’s butcher apron is draped on the casket. Susan places one red rose atop the apron. Mattie takes a seat in the back pew.
• How does the filmmaker convey Brenda and Richard’s anxiety dur- ing the service? • Coral remembers Jack’s kindness. She speaks of his charitable acts, especially to the Indigenous resi- the actors’ use of movement, voice dents of Redfern. and gesture in this scene. The audience may recognise Coral from Redfern Now Series 1, Brenda is adamant that Mattie will Episode 2: ‘Joyride’. not have her way. She tells her Uncle How does Coral’s eulogy portray Richard, ‘She’s not going to do this Jack? Discuss Mattie’s reaction to today. Not here. Not now. Not ever.’ Coral’s description of Jack. Richard: ‘But people used to • Richard: ‘Why are you here exploit that kindness Coral. They’d Mattie?’ book up and disappear. And I’d Mattie: ‘I have a right to be.’ get angry for him. And he’d say Explain Mattie’s sense of entitle- why the anger, they’re only doing ment. Even though she has a right it because they’re broke. I mean to attend her father’s funeral, do are the rich people going to rip you think she is behaving in an off a butcher in Redfern? No, only appropriate way? Why is Brenda the poor. He had extraordinary so adamant that this right will be compassion and extraordinary denied? understanding of the weaknesses • Richard: ‘He didn’t acknowledge of human beings because he was you when he was alive, so what fully aware of his own. An extraor- difference is it gonna make now? dinary capacity to forgive.’ You were just…you were a compli- How does Richard’s eulogy portray cation in their relationship Mattie.’’ worth? Jack? Discuss Mattie’s reaction How does Mattie react to What statement does to Richard’s description of his Richard’s view of Jack and Trish’s ‘Consequences’ make about the brother. relationship? status of an Indigenous woman of Brenda remembers her father. She Is Richard telling the truth when Trish’s generation? speaks of her father’s reputation he tells Mattie, ‘He never loved What statement does and the importance of it. you’? Or does he just want Mattie ‘Consequences’ make about the How does Brenda’s eulogy portray to leave? status of the ‘other woman’? Jack? Discuss Mattie’s reaction to Is there evidence in the episode Brenda’s description of her father. that Richard cares for Mattie? What does Purcell want the audi- • Mattie: ‘But my mother did. My The service ence to think of Jack? mother loved me and I loved her. • Mattie’s point of view is the I’m going to speak.’ 6 Jack Eric Mikkel privileged point of view in SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 How does the adult Mattie view 16.11.1948 – 13.4.2013 ‘Consequences’. Discuss how the her mother, and her mother’s rela- Loving husband of Susan, loving fa- selection of shots, camera move- tionship with Jack? ther of Dean, Peter and Brenda. Loved ment and editing establishes the Do you think that Mattie’s deci- brother of Richard. Beloved grandfa- point of view of other characters in sion to speak at the funeral is not ther of 4. Funeral will be held at South this sequence. just about asserting her success? Sydney Uniting Church. Tuesday 16th Is it about asserting her mother’s April 2013 at 11am. 9 4
A difficult thing. For your sake.’ – Coral half-sister? What does Coral’s advice reveal What does Brenda’s decision to adolescence about Mattie’s future? bring the box to Mattie suggest 7 about Brenda? Mattie’s teenage years are portrayed Mattie arrives home. Trish is drunk. • Discuss Mattie’s decision to pull via a series of related flashbacks. over and see what Jack has given • Does Trish evoke the audience’s her. How does she react when she • Jack: ‘Well, have a look at you. sympathy? realises that Jack’s gift is the box Haven’t you grown, eh?’ • In the final flashback, Mattie waits of Cuisenaire rods? In this flashback sequence, Mattie for her father. She is leaning up • Having watched the episode, arrives home. She is happy. against a fence when Jack arrives. explain the different interpretations She can hear music playing as A bitter Mattie asks him, ‘Why of the title ‘Consequences.’ she nears the front door. When did you leave my mother?’ She Support your response with she enters the house, her mood repeats the question until she gets specific evidence from the changes. Jack and Trish are an answer. Jack tells her, ‘It was episode. dancing. Richard sits, drinking and easier to break your mother’s heart • The term ‘reconciliation’ is used watching Jack and Trish dancing. than my wife’s.’ in conversations about the What does Jack’s comment Explain the significance of the relationships between Indigenous suggest about his relationship with exchange between father and Australians and the broader Trish and Mattie? daughter. Australian community. The term Why does Mattie become angry? What does Mattie’s suitcase implies a commitment to build Mattie leaves. She heads to a suggest? respectful and collaborative nearby squat. Another party is in relationships. Reconciliation is progress. Mattie wanders in, goes about understanding rather than upstairs and chooses this moment Recognition misunderstanding. In Christian to lose her virginity. theology the term ‘reconciliation’ Discuss Mattie’s motivation in this 8 Mattie wants recognition. She is also used to describe the scene. Why does she rebel? is proud of all that she has achieved atonement and forgiveness of sins. • In the next flashback, Mattie is independently of her father. Her return Spend time as a class, discussing dressed in her school uniform. Her to Redfern is also about achieving how the idea of reconciliation is mother is at the dining room table recognition for her mother. explored in ‘Consequences’. drinking and listening to music. She has forgotten about the award • What does Mattie choose to say ceremony at Mattie’s school. about Jack? CREATIVE Mattie leaves without her. Why doesn’t she place the RESPONSE Mattie doesn’t make it to the photograph on Jack’s coffin? ceremony. She is detained by Why doesn’t Mattie disclose that Your task is to write a scene from Damo in a stairwell of a school she is Jack’s daughter? ‘Consequences’ as it would appear in building. He accuses Mattie of How do the other characters a novel. arrogance – of betraying her own respond to Mattie’s speech? kind – because of her academic • Mattie walks down the aisle of the Your prose response will need to success. church. She does not wait for the convey all aspects of the scene. Write a detailed analysis of service to finish. the storytelling and production What has Mattie achieved? Make a detailed analysis of both the elements of the scenes set at storytelling and production elements Mattie’s high school. Brenda arrives as Mattie is leaving of the scene before you begin drafting the hotel. Mattie ignores her. Brenda your prose response. Use this analysis The action shifts to Mattie in a Redfern persists. She is carrying a box that she to plan your prose response. park using the water from a fountain found in Jack’s bedside cabinet. The to wash the blood off her face. Coral note on the lid of the box that reads -- Will you use a first or third person walks by. ‘To Mattie’ is in Jack’s handwriting. narrator? Mattie takes the box, puts it on the
• ‘Mattie, you got to put your back seat of the car and drives away. -- Will you use past or present tense? SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 focus elsewhere. Don’t let what happened between your mum and • Brenda: ‘He thought enough about -- Will you need to make reference dad derail you bub. Let that go. Do you to leave that. So you did mean to any other details of the story something with yourself. You’ll end something.’ for your prose response to make up with a gut full of arms and legs Why doesn’t Mattie reply? sense? and stranded on the Block. You’ve Is Brenda’s visit to the hotel got a brain, Mattie, use the bloody evidence of her empathy for her 10 This study guide was produced by ATOM. (© ATOM 2013) ISBN: 978-1-74295-383-0 [email protected] For information on SCREEN EDUCATION magazine, or to download other study guides for assessment, visit
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