7 INSPIRING INDIGENOUS SHORT FILMS
DVD available for purchase through Flickerfest http://www.flickerfest.com.au [email protected]
A STUDY GUIDE by Katy marriner
http://www.metromagazine.com.au
http://www.theeducationshop.com.au The New Black
The New Black (2009) is a This study guide to The New Black is rated PG. series of seven short films accompany The New Black, Teachers should preview the made by Indigenous writers, has been written for upper films before showing them directors and producers. The primary and secondary to students. The subjects series is an initiative of the students. It provides and themes of Ralph, The Indigenous Department of information and suggestions Farm and Aunty Maggie and Screen Australia, in association for learning activities in English, The Womba Wakgun would with the ABC, New South History, Literature, Media and appeal to students in Grades
Wales Film and Television curriculum projects exploring 5 and 6. All seven films SCREEN EDUCATION Office and the Pacific Film and the culture and concerns are suitable for secondary Television Commission. of Indigenous Australia. students at all levels.
2 Introducing the films
Ralph The Farm The Party Shoes Jacob
»» Drama »» Drama »» Drama »» Drama
»» 10 minutes »» 11 minutes »» 11 minutes »» 12 minutes
»» Writer / director: »» Writer / director: »» Writer / director: »» Writer / director: Deborah Mailman Romaine Moreton Michelle Blanchard Dena Curtis
»» Co-Writer: Wayne Blair »» Producer: »» Producers: Darren Dale »» Producers: Darren Dale John Harvey and Rhea Stephenson and Rhea Stephenson »» Producer: Jessie Mangum »» Olivia longs to know the »» In an attempt to rid her »» George and Milly and Max »» For ten-year-old Madeline, people who came before mother of sadness, ten- and Gina live on a small it takes more than just her, in a place filled with year-old Jenny devises a station in the middle of the dreaming to survive mystery and wonder. Her plan that will hopefully make outback. While George and school; it takes a friend. mother Lauren, concerned her mother happy. When Max are away fencing, Max with what her daughter her mother discovers that receives news that Gina might discover, is forced the plan involves stealing has given birth to their son to come to terms with her letters from the neighbours, Jacob. Four months later own history and truths. she is forced to make some George and Max return changes in their life. home. Max is thrilled at the prospect of father meeting son for the first time but the joyous occasion soon turns to disillusionment as he realises Jacob is not his child.
Nia’s Melancholy Bourke Boy Aunty Maggie and The Womba Wakgun »» Drama »» Drama
»» 11 minutes »» 11 minutes »» Drama
»» Writer / director: »» Writer / director: »» 11 minutes SF Tusa Adrian Wills »» Director: Leah Purcell »» Producer: »» Producer: »» Writer: Angelina Hurley Andrew Arbuthnot Kath Shelper and Anusha Duray »» Producers: Bain Stewart »» A young Yalanji girl and Lisa Duff witnesses her sister’s »» A father and his adopted suicide. This is the tale troubled teenage son »» Aunty Maggie and Uncle Peter of her descent into take a trip to the son’s struggle to feed their three melancholy and her birthplace of Bourke, nephews. The arrival of some journey of redemption. where they try to find the chickens provides a new food right words to say to each source … Eggs! When the other before it’s too late. new rooster becomes more of a headache and nearly SCREEN EDUCATION dies, Aunty Maggie’s quick thinking shocks the family and makes her famous.
3 The New Black
»» Have you ever heard anyone »» What do the films have in common? »» Do you know what a referring to something as In what ways do the films differ? message stick is? being ‘the new black’? The New Black is a collection of Message sticks were once ‘The new black’ is often a reference short fiction films. Like short stories, used by indigenous people as point in the world of fashion, for short fiction films offer a condensed a means of communicating. example ‘grey is the new black’ narrative and may or may not be part Messages were painted and or ‘brown is the new black’. of a collection. A short story usually inscribed on a stick, which was then explores one incident, has a single Why do you think the series transported by hand. The person setting, a small number of characters is titled The New Black? who carried the message stick and covers a short period of time. was traditionally granted safe and Working as a class and drawing on »» Did you enjoy watching The protected entry to another Aboriginal The New Black make a list of the New Black? Which film did nation’s territory. Those who found features of a short fiction film. you enjoy the most? Why? the messenger on their land had an obligation to safely deliver the Write a review of The New Black »» What contribution does The New messenger to the elders of their that makes reference to the Black make to Australian culture? people. The messenger would then individual films in the series. »» Have you heard of the Message convey the message to the elders. Your review should offer information Sticks Indigenous Film Festival? Messages included announcements about the series and your of events, ceremonies, meetings, The Message Sticks Indigenous Film evaluation of the series’ worth. happenings and disputes, as well Festival showcases the best new as invitations and warnings. Your review should begin with a Indigenous films from Australia and title. Below the title you should the world. It is an annual event. »» A selection of The New Black films provide the name of the series screened at Flickerfest 2010. The seven films in the series The New and a rating that indicates your Black were shown at the Message Flickerfest is Australia’s only judgement of the series’ worth. Sticks Indigenous Festival in 2009. Academy®-accredited short film Indicate the form and genre of the festival screening the best short films You can find information about the series early in your review. You will from Australia and the world annually, 2010 Message Sticks Indigenous Film need to name the films in the series over a ten-day festival at Bondi Beach Festival at
Spend some time reading reviews of feature films before you begin. SCREEN EDUCATION
4 Teachers may select from the following activities to support Using The New Black students’ viewing and close analysis of the films that in the classroom are part of The New Black. Ralph
The heart of Ralph is friendship and belonging. As my first film, it was important to begin with a story that was accessible to me. Ralph is a personal diary, made up of fragmented memories of someone being on the outside, about a young Aboriginal girl madly in love with an American teen heartthrob, surviving a world barbed with racism. – Deborah Mailman
»» What happens? Share your Garth, Madeline’s mum, Dean, »» Deborah Mailman, the director thoughts about the plot of Madeline’s teacher and Garth’s of Ralph, has claimed that Ralph Ralph with your peers. dad? Share your choices with a is about the giddiness of first peer and then with the class. love. What moments in the story »» What is the most important reveal this claim to be true? message of Ralph? »» ‘Get a life … Have a bath.’ – Dean »» What does Madeline learn about life? »» What does Ralph tell us about life Madeline must endure the unkindness in Redfern, Sydney in 1984? of her classmates. Dean the school »» Explain the significance of the bully is intent on making life a following symbols: Madeline’s letters »» Dear Ralph, living hell for Madeline and her to Ralph Macchio, the posters teacher doesn’t seem to be all that Hi, it’s me again. It’s been a few days on Madeline’s bedroom wall, interested in protecting Madeline. since my last letter and I still haven’t Madeline’s bandanna and the pink heard from you. My school dance is Why is Madeline bullied? dress in the boutique window. coming up. I would love you to come. Were you surprised by the »» Discuss the use of different settings Your number one fan, teacher’s indifference? to tell the story of Ralph. Why is each setting significant? Madeline. »» Garth teases Madeline when he Ten-year-old Madeline has a crush draws on her exercise book and »» The final scene of Ralph is like a on the karate kid, Ralph Macchio. chopsticks the cockroach but dream come true. Garth arrives By her standards he is the hottest then comes to her defence when in the nick of time. Why shouldn’t teen actor on the planet. That’s why she is bullied in the schoolyard. we question the end of the film? she writes him a letter, asking him to What does Deborah Mailman »» In what sense is Ralph a film be her date at the school dance. want us to think about Garth’s about race? Can you remember who you attitude to Madeline? »» Learn more about Ralph at were infatuated with when What else do we learn about Garth? you were ten years old?
to write 350–500 words. »» What does Ralph teach us about at
5 The Farm
The Farm is a film I have wanted to make for a very long time, but it wasn’t until a friend mentioned that there were no contemporary representations of the Indigenous agricultural labour experience on the far south coast of NSW that I recognised its significance in a filmic context. The Farm pays homage to an Indigenous workforce essential to the agricultural wealth of NSW and Victoria dating back to the 1930s, and is told through the eyes of a young girl who is a part of this labour force. The film is based on my childhood experience of being a part of this labour force, and I wanted to revisit that experience cinematically. – Romaine Moreton
»» What happens? Share your to tell her what happened to the What part does this context play thoughts about the plot of others? Does she understand? in the telling of the story? The Farm with your peers. »» Why do you think Olivia etches Discuss the use of different settings »» What is the most important her name into the timber to tell the story of The Farm. Why message of The Farm? of the pickers’ shack? is each setting significant?
»» What word best describes each of the »» ‘Nana always said people only live as »» On the way to the local show, Olivia following: Olivia, Lauren, Gus, Tom long as we remember them. And they can see the spirits of the dead and the spirits? Share your choices die because we forget.’ – Olivia’s mum walking on the side of the road. with a peer and then with the class. Why does the film end this way? Why does Olivia’s mother give »» What do we learn about Olivia’s Olivia the amber necklace that »» Tally Ho Farm is a real place once life on the farm? belonged to Olivia’s grandmother? occupied by myself and my family, as well as many generations of seasonal »» How do Olivia’s experiences on »» ‘But this principle of spirituality labourers before me. Although no one the farm shape her perspective of being inexplicably salient is strong in lives in the huts we grew up in now, the past and its place in her life? Indigenous cultures, and through this the farm is still alive in our stories, our film I wanted to declare an ongoing hearts and our memories. The farm »» How does the filmmaker position belief in the wisdom of our Ancestors, is spoken about as a time of great joy us to see Olivia’s mother, at first, past and present, and in the heartbeat and happiness, its simplicity etched and also at the end of The Farm? of our country.’ – Romaine Moreton into my being. My family and I always recount stories of living on the farm »» What role does Olivia’s cousin Would you call The Farm play in the story of The Farm? a ghost story? as some of the best times of our lives. – Romaine Moreton »» Why do you think Olivia can see the »» Explain the significance of the Write a personal narrative about a people who once worked on the farm following symbols: the names place that matters to you and your and have since passed on? Is Olivia carved into the wood of the pickers’ family. Aim to write 350–500 words. scared by her ability to see ghosts? shack, the old money box and the amber stone necklace. »» Learn more about Brown »» Olivia Cab Productions at
‘I’ll tell you when you’re older.’ Australia to New South Wales and SCREEN EDUCATION Why does Olivia’s mother refuse Queensland as bean pickers.
6 The Party Shoes
The reason why I wanted to make this film is because I wanted to explore the complex relationship between a mother and a daughter drawing partially from my own lived experience. I wanted the film to celebrate the resilience of people. Of two very different characters, young and old whose common bond is love and yet other circumstances tangle, knot and threaten this bond. – Michelle Blanchard
»» What happens? Share your ordinary things, she rummages »» The drama is set in working- thoughts about the plot of The through the council pick up, or in the class urban Sydney in 1974. Party Shoes with your peers. gutter for treasures and trinkets. What part does this context play in the »» What is the most important What does Jenny’s collection telling of Jenny’s and Patsy’s story? of found objects tell us about message of The Party Shoes? Discuss the use of different settings her and her situation? to tell the story of The Party Shoes. »» What word best describes Jenny, Why do you think she keeps her Why is each setting significant? Patsy, the postman and the treasures in the meter box? neighbour? Share your choices with »» Do you think the resolution at the a peer and then with the class. »» Why does Jenny hide film’s end is too easily achieved? everybody’s letters? »» Is Jenny a typical ten-year-old? »» In what sense is The Party »» What happens when Patsy finds Shoes a film about race? »» Is Patsy a good mother? the letters in the meter box? »» Write an imaginative narrative called »» How do we know that Jenny’s mother How is this moment a turning point in The Party Shoes. Try to write 350–500 Patsy is suffering from depression? the story of mother and daughter? words. When you have finished share »» What moments made you What moments beyond this point in your story with others in the class. aware of Jenny’s resilience? The Party Shoes confirm that mother Discuss your differing interpretations and daughter will be all right? of the title and the differing »» How does Jenny cope with representations of the party shoes. her mother’s sadness? »» Who does the filmmaker want us to feel sympathy for? »» Learn more about Blackfella Films at »» Do you think Jenny’s situation
7 Jacob
It’s hard to know where to begin in explaining why I wanted to make a film like Jacob. Even though elements of this film reflect part of my family history, this story affects many Indigenous men, women and their families in Central Australia. This is a reality that is very rarely explored and even less so from the perspective of Indigenous men. – Dena Curtis
»» What happens? Share your »» Were you shocked to discover understand Gina’s desperation? thoughts about the plot of that Jacob was fairer skinned Did Gina have any other choice? Jacob with your peers. than the other Indigenous characters in the film? »» George and Milly are Gina’s parents. »» What is the most important Why don’t they interfere sooner? message of Jacob? »» Who earned your sympathy? Why? »» Discuss the use of different settings »» What does Jacob tell us about life »» What moments show Max to be to tell the story of Jacob. Why in Central Australia in 1940? humiliated by the fact that Jacob is is each setting significant? not his son? How does the filmmaker »» Dena Curtis, the director of Jacob, convey his disappointment? How »» Is Jacob’s story resolved? decided to draw her audience’s does the filmmaker convey his »» What statement does Jacob attention to what was once a anger? Does Max let pride get make about survival? widespread practice: white farmers in the way of what is right? Does abusing their Indigenous employees. Max try to accept the situation? »» ‘Jacob is a discomfiting Were you aware of this aspect film’ Do you agree? »» How do Max’s reactions affect Gina? of Australia’s history? »» In what sense is Jacob »» What moments establish Jacob What comment does Curtis a film about race? make about this practice? as innocent and as vulnerable? »» The end credits state that Jacob »» ‘She’s not to blame, you know. The »» What word best describes each was filmed on Adnyamathanha land. boy is who he is and he’s here now.’ of the following characters: Why do you think the filmmaker – George George, Milly, Max, Gina, Bob and included this information? Jacob? Share your choices with Why does George decide to a peer and then with the class. appeal to Max’s better nature? »» Learn more about Blackfella Films at
8 Nia’s Melancholy
In Indigenous communities, the rates of suicide, and especially of teenage suicide, are some of the highest in the world. It’s an issue we must bring to light more often and discuss in broader communities, Indigenous and non-Indigenous. – SF Tusa
»» What happens? Share your to the loss of her eldest daughter? »» Nia’s Melancholy is set in an Aboriginal thoughts about the plot of Nia’s Why is she so angry with Nia? community in Far North Queensland. Melancholy with your peers. »» ‘You’ll forget all about us.’ Discuss the use of different settings »» What is the most important – Nia’s mother to tell the story of Nia’s Melancholy. message of Nia’s Melancholy? Why is each setting significant? What moments in Nia’s »» What does it mean to be melancholy? Melancholy prove that Nia’s »» In what sense is Nia’s Melancholy mother has nothing to fear? a film about race? What does the filmmaker want us to realise about melancholy? »» What statement does Nia’s Melancholy »» ‘I hope this film makes a difference.’ make about community? »» What word best describes each Nia’s Melancholy explores the issue of the following characters: Nia, »» ‘Nia’s journey is about coming to of teenage suicide. The issue of youth Lania, Nana, Nia’s mother and Nia’s terms with the grief that comes suicide in Aboriginal communities younger sister? Share your choices with losing someone you love.’ is of particular significance with a peer and then with the class. given rates of suicide in these Do you think this is an apt communities have been increasing »» Why do you think the film begins summary of Nia’s Melancholy? since the 1970s. The majority of with a younger Lania and Nia in the Aboriginal people who suicide are »» What moments in Nia’s rainforest with their grandmother? under the age of twenty-nine. Melancholy convey hope? »» After her sister’s suicide, Nia finds Why is important that we speak »» Make a list of the challenges of solace in her memories of childhood. openly about teenage suicide? making a film like Nia’s Melancholy. Why do these memories comfort Nia? What type of difference can »» Eventually Nia finds the Nia’s Melancholy make? »» Why is Nia drawn to the rainforest? courage to leave her family Teachers should approach any and take the bus to Cairns. »» ‘I was tired, so tired, not strong like discussion of teenage suicide nana, not like you.’ – Lania Why is it significant that Nia sees her with care and an awareness of the What are Nia’s strengths? grandmother’s spirit walking behind personal situations of students in the bus, waving her farewell? their class. Teachers may choose to »» Nia dreams of becoming a begin their own research on the issue »» What does Nia’s Melancholy nurse in the ‘big smoke’. of teenage suicide at
9 Bourke Boy
When I started the development of Bourke Boy it was about me telling a story of an actual event, almost exactly as it had occurred. The feelings I had, the things that we did together as father and son, and how it made me feel. I thought it was going to be a simple story about adoption, about love and about finding a place of contentment within myself during that time in my life. However, what really emerged during the development process, and the making of the film was something far more intimate and truthful. – Adrian Wills
»» What happens? Share your »» What moments establish »» Why does Russell pocket a thoughts about the plot of Russell’s confusion? handful of Bourke dirt? Bourke Boy with your peers. »» ‘I’m sure she loved you very much.’ »» Discuss the use of different settings »» What is the most important – John to tell the story of Bourke Boy. message of Bourke Boy? Why is each setting significant? Why does Russell want to know »» What word best describes each of his birth mother’s name? »» Bourke Boy ends with father and the following: Russell, John, the son driving away from the Aboriginal »» How does the filmmaker motel owner? Share your choices Reserve. What are we meant to feel at position us to see Bourke and with a peer and then with the class. the end of Bourke Boy? What are we the people who live there? meant to think? Was this the right way »» Who earned your sympathy? Why? »» When do we see things from to bring Bourke Boy to conclusion? Russell’s perspective? What is »» ‘Dad, why’d we come here to Bourke?’ »» In what sense is Bourke the filmmaker’s intention? – Russell Boy a film about race? Why have father and son travelled »» When do we see things from »» ‘Suggestive of a bigger story, to Bourke? John’s perspective? What is Bourke Boy is a quiet and intense the filmmaker’s intention? »» ‘Look, let’s just try to get through film – a portrayal of inadequate these next couple of days, OK? Do »» Russell communication and a sadly what we’ve come here to do. And How come you shook her hand? incomplete rite of passage.’ then hopefully when we get back John Do you agree with this home things will be different. This’ll be It’s what you do. assessment of Bourke Boy? behind us.’ – John The motel owner is a racist. »» Learn more about Scarlett Pictures What do you think Russell’s Russell challenges his father’s at
»» What does Russell see as he Why is this moment significant? travels around the town? SCREEN EDUCATION
10 Aunty Maggie and the Womba Wakgun
I actually think I heard this yarn when I was a little girl in the late seventies. – Leah Purcell
Womba Wakgun in Aboriginal Murri and the hens? Is her decision sensible? »» Discuss the use of different settings language means Mad Rooster. to tell the story of Aunty Maggie »» The boys chant ‘We want eggs’ each and the Womba Wakgun. Why »» What happens? Share your thoughts morning but what do they get instead? is each setting significant? about the plot of Aunty Maggie and How does the filmmaker convey the Womba Wakgun with your peers. »» Did you like the way the film looks? excitement, suspense and What elements of the production disappointment in these scenes? »» What is the most important message of did you find appealing? Aunty Maggie and the Womba Wakgun? »» ‘He’s driving me Womba!’ »» In what sense is Aunty Maggie and the – Aunty Maggie »» What moments did you find funny? Womba Wakgun a film about race? Use this exclamation to initiate a »» What is a fable and why could discussion of Aunty Maggie’s rather »» Leah Purcell is the director of Aunty Aunty Maggie and the Womba complex relationship with the rooster. Maggie and the Womba Wakgun. Wakgun be called a fable? Find out more about Leah Purcell by »» Did the rooster drown or was it an visiting
11 Make your own short Your turn fiction film.
All elements of the production should Submit a production design Your film should be five to ten be undertaken collaboratively. plan that indicates your: minutes in duration including titles and/or credits sequences. Before you begin, spend time as »» Intention a class discussing the challenges »» Audience When the films are finished, of making a short film. »» Style and/or genre organise a short film festival. »» Storyline and/or outline of content You should also visit Flickerfest Before you begin, spend time as a »» Techniques of engagement at
12 This study guide was produced by ATOM. (©ATOM 2010) [email protected] For more information on Screen Education magazine, or to download other study guides for assessment, visit
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