SERIES 2, EPISODE 6

© ATOM 2013 A STUDY GUIDE BY KATY MARRINER

http://www.metromagazine.com.au

ISBN: 978-1-74295-390-8 http://www.theeducationshop.com.au Series 2 portrays contemporary inner city Indigenous life in and around the suburb of Redfern in Sydney, . 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 . 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 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 . Story Producer School (AFTRS). Miranda Dear – Producer Episode Directors: Adrian Russell With his writing often based on real Wills, Rachel Perkins, , events or socially vital issues, Liverpool- Producer Miranda Dear began her Beck Cole and . born Jimmy McGovern has built a career with UK public broadcaster formidable reputation writing powerful Channel 4 Television. In 1997 she Episode Writers: Adrian Russell dramas for the stage and screen. Having moved to Australia as Acquisition and Wills, Jon Bell, Steven McGregor, honed his skill working on Brookside, his Production Consultant and negotiated Leah Purcell and Wayne Blair. major breakthrough came with Cracker, Channel 4’s involvement in a number of one of the best-loved UK TV shows film funding and acquisition initiatives. of recent history. McGovern’s other REDFERN NOW television credits include The Accused In 2000, Dear joined SBS Independent (Series 1 and 2) and The Street (Series as Senior Commissioning Editor Drama. Redfern is an inner-city suburb of 1–3), as well as Gunpowder, Treason & Her commissions included Harvie Sydney. It is home to a significant Plot (Gillies MacKinnon, 2004), Dockers Krumpet (Adam Elliot, 2003), RAN, So proportion of Sydney’s Indigenous (Bill Anderson, 1999), The Lakes, Close to Home (Jessica Hobbs, 2003), and Torres Strait Islander popula- Sunday (Charles McDougall, 2002), Jewboy (Tony Krawitz, 2005), Martha’s tion. The traditional owners of the Heart (Charles McDougall, 1999) and New Coat (Rachel Ward, 2003) and land are the Gadigal people who Hillsborough (Charles McDougall, 1996). Roy Hollsdotter Live. She was the SBS occupied the sites known today Commissioning Editor for the feature A detailed biography of Jimmy as Redfern, Erskinville, Surry Hills, filmsLook Both Ways (, McGovern can be accessed at

year Dale was awarded this prize. SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 brought subsequent change in film series The New Black. Dear also Redfern. Aboriginal people be- With his Blackfella Films business commissioned the television series The gan returning from rural areas to partner, Perkins, Dale co-curated the Slap, The Straits, Paper Giants and Miss Sydney in search of employment. film program for the Message Sticks Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Many found work at the Eveleigh 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. . Council commenced the relocation of ADDITIONAL LINKS: the Aboriginal population of Redfern to Aboriginal Housing Company Mt Druitt and Campbelltown. Redfern Oral History The 1970s were a time of self- Redfern. The development of com- The Block: Stories from a Meeting munity managed services including the Place Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Service and the Aboriginal Black Infographics are visual representa- Theatre House provided a model tions of information, data or knowl- for Aboriginal communities in other edge intended to present informa- Australian states and territories, and tion quickly and clearly. Useful link: most importantly boosted the mo- . rale of Redfern residents. Despite • Why call the series Redfern Now? these successes, overcrowding and What is achieved by the use of the homelessness in Redfern reached word ‘now’? crisis levels and caused unrest be- tween the South Sydney Council, State Government, police, unions tenants to vacate their homes. BEFORE VIEWING and squatters. In 1972, the Federal Labor Government stepped in to solve Redfern has undergone a process of • Did you watch the first series of Redfern’s housing problems. The urban renewal since then. The Block Redfern Now? What was your Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) remains in the hands of the AHC, and favourite episode? was established. Its objective was to the Pemulwuy Project, with its focus • Redfern Now Series 1 was nomi- provide a communal living environment on development of affordable hous- nated for five AACTA awards and run by Aboriginal people. Their first sig- ing, community infrastructure and won the awards for Best Script nificant achievement was the purchase commercial enterprises, is commit- in a Television Drama and Best of six terraces on the Block. It took ted to restoring a strong and healthy Actress in a Television Drama. until 1994 for the AHC to achieve full Indigenous community in Redfern. The series was awarded a Logie ownership of the Block. for Most Outstanding Drama and • What do you know about the inner Most Outstanding New Talent. In Living conditions remained substand- Sydney suburb of Redfern? Have addition, Redfern Now achieved an ard. The houses had been neglected you ever been to Redfern? What Australian Directors Guild Award and were in need of repair. The AHC sort of reputation does Redfern for Best Direction in a TV Drama. SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 had trouble collecting rent and public have? At this year’s Deadly Awards, funding did not allow for the housing Watch the opening credit se- Redfern Now was the winner of stock to be repaired. Redfern and the quence of Redfern Now. Make a Television Show of the Year. Block in particular became a haven for list of everything you see and hear. Why do you think Series 1 was drug abuse, violence and crime until, How does this sequence portray such a success? in 2001, the AHC – keen to rede- Redfern and the people who live velop the land – issued notices to the there? 4 6

‘DOGS OF WAR’

‘DOGS OF WAR’ WAS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY WAYNE BLAIR. LISTEN TO WAYNE BLAIR IN CONVERSATION WITH ADAM SPENCER ONLINE AT HTTP://WWW.ABC.NET.AU/LOCAL/ STORIES/2013/10/30/3879948.HTM. TEACHERS MAY SELECT FROM THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS’ VIEWING AND CLOSE ANALYSIS OF ‘DOGS OF WAR’.

SYNOPSIS

When police investigate two burgla- ries on opposite sides of the same street, they suggest the perpetrators have targeted the homes because they are without dogs. Derek Jackson neighbourhood conflict. As he recuperates, Ernie’s suspicions (Bruce Carter), father of two children, about the baiting grow. When Jim and Naomi and Jake, purchases a mon- Ernie is not well. His voice is raspy his wife put their house up for sale, grel German Shepherd to improve his and he is coughing up blood regularly. Ernie starts to wonder about Jim’s home’s security. Derek’s neighbour, Evonne forces Ernie to see a doctor life saving response. Realising the a heavily pregnant Evonne Johnson (Chris Haywood). Submitting to an truth of what happened, Ernie takes (Katherine Beckett), opposes the idea. examination and X-ray, Ernie is gut- advantage of the house being open for When Evonne’s father, Ernie Johnson ted to learn he has cancer. He with- inspection and searches for evidence (), a retired army sergeant, holds the terrible news from Evonne. that will prove that Jim is to blame for arrives for an extended stay he is ap- Ernie’s nightmares and fearful yells the baiting not Ernie. palled to discover that his daughter is persist and incite the worst showdown managing alone. Ernie wastes no time yet. He gets into a brutal street fight The police are called, the empty poison installing an alarm system and new with Derek. It is while she nurses his bottle is found in Jim and Susie’s recy- locks. wounds that Evonne learns from Ernie cling bin, and Jim is subsequently ar- about his cancer. rested. For Ernie and Derek it is time to At night Ernie is afflicted by terrible put away their anger and begin again. nightmares, a consequence of his The next morning screams wake war service in Vietnam. His night-yells the neighbourhood when Toby, trigger the bark of the Jackson’s dog and Derek’s daughter Naomi (Eliza CHARACTERS Toby. Toby’s barking wakes up Derek Toomey) are found convulsing in the and his children, as well as Evonne front yard. Both have apparently eaten The major characters of ‘Dogs of War’ and Ernie’s nearest neighbours: Jim dog bait. Jim rushes to her aid, with an are Ernie, Evonne, Derek, Jim, Susie, (Glen Hazeldine), his wife Susie (Maya antidote for Naomi in the form of soda Naomi, and Jake. The minor charac- Stange) and their baby. Frustrations water. The paramedics arrive and rush ters are Constable Aaron Davis, Officer between the neighbours begin to Naomi to hospital. Toby is put down. Donaldson and the Doctor. mount. Derek’s efforts to train his Derek suspects Ernie is responsible

new dog are treated with disdain by for the baiting. • A sociogram is a visual representa- SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 Ernie, who has handled service dogs tion of the relationships of a group in the Army. Evonne suggests he help Ernie returns to the clinic for a CT of people. them, but Ernie declines. He has no Scan. Admitting to claustrophobia, Draw and annotate a sociogram time for Derek and is even hostile Ernie is anxious about the procedure. that describes and explains the re- towards the dog. Ernie’s nightmares As he undergoes the examination, lationships between the characters continue and Toby continues to bark the awful incident that haunts Ernie’s of ‘Dogs of War’. at night in response, provoking further sleep is revealed. 5 6 PHOTO MARK ROGERS

Break and Derek, who is on the front verandah • Drawing on both story telling ele- with his daughter Naomi, tells his son ments and production elements, enter to leave the broken glass alone. describe Derek the father. As you 1 watch ‘Dogs of War’, add to your ‘Dogs of War’ begins at Evonne’s • How is the character of Derek por- description of Derek the father. home. She peers through the bro- trayed in the opening sequence? Provide specific evidence to en- ken pane of glass in the front door • Describe the Jackson home. What dorse your claims. of her home, assessing the damage. does the Jackson home suggest Evonne is fixing her front door Evonne’s home has been burgled. about the family’s circumstances? when her father arrives. She is Across the road at Derek’s house, it is pleased to see him. the same story. Derek first appeared in Episode 3 of • Drawing on both story telling ele- Redfern Now Series 1. Derek supports ments and production elements, • Explain the significance of the Indigenous men through an anger describe Ernie’s relationship with opening shots of ‘Dogs of War’. management program. Anger is a his adult child. As you watch ‘Dogs What does the audience see, hear dominant theme of ‘Dogs of War’. of War’, add to your description of and understand? Ernie the father. Provide specific • Constable Aaron Davis: Ever evidence to endorse your claims. Evonne opens her front door and then thought of getting a dog? In addition, list the ways that the turns and walks away from the cam- What happens when the police director and writer Wayne Blair era, down the hall and into the living arrive? shows Evonne’s love for her father. room, where she surveys what is miss- Spend time as a class, discussing What does Ernie and Evonne’s ing and the damage that the burglars the exchange between the police conversation reveal about have caused, before heading back to officers and Evonne and Derek. Evonne’s circumstances? the front door to deal with the mess of How does Evonne respond to the • Evonne: Dad, don’t you think broken glass. suggestion that she should get a you’re going a bit overboard? dog? Ernie: Well has Fort Knox been • How is the character of Evonne broken into in the last ninety portrayed in the opening years? sequence? Security Is Ernie ‘going overboard’?

• Evonne’s home is a key setting of SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 the episode. Describe Evonne’s 2 Derek takes the police’s advice home and how the house is used and gets a dog. This sequence begins A sleepless in this and subsequent sequences. with Derek and his children bringing night the dog home. Walking purposefully 3 When Evonne reaches her front door, on the opposite side of the street is the action shifts to the opposite side Ernie, Evonne’s father. Ernie doesn’t sleep peacefully. In a of the street. Jake is at the window, subsequent scene, he will tell a doctor 6 6

major barking orders. The doc- tor laughs at Ernie’s humorous explanation and then continues the consultation. The doctor’s flashlight triggers a flashback. Ernie relives moments of his past. What does this scene add to the audience’s understand- ing of Ernie’s nightmare? • Explain the significance of the scene that shows Ernie walking X-ray in hand along a Redfern street. • Ernie: I’ve been having these night- mares for a while now. My throat is the equivalent of a dirt road. My voice rips up that dirt road caus- PHOTO MARK ROGERS ing my larynx to bleed. I gotta stop yelling. I gotta stop giving orders. that he has been having the same • What makes you angry? How do I gotta stop answering ques- nightmare since Easter Sunday, 1968. you know that you are angry? tions. And your interrogation isn’t When Evonne wakes him, Ernie jokes What strategies do you use to helping. that he was probably dreaming about manage your anger? Evonne wants to know about her ex. • Who becomes angry in this Ernie’s visit to the doctor. sequence? Why? How do they Why does Ernie lie about the • ‘Dogs of War’ portrays Ernie’s express their anger? Who attempts consultation? experience of the horror of war to keep the peace? • Drawing on the story so far, what through the device of his recurring does Blair want the audience to nightmare. Each nightmare pro- think of Ernie? vides the audience with a glimpse Ernie’s health of an incident that Ernie has yet to come to terms with. 4 Ernie is not well. Evonne is Another Drawing on Ernie’s first nightmare, concerned about her father’s health. sleepless night describe what Blair lets the audi- 5 ence see, hear and understand. • Why do you think Ernie denies that What comment is Blair making he is unwell? Another night. Another nightmare. about the impact of war? What is suggested by Ernie’s deci- Ernie’s cries disturb Toby and Toby’s sion not to return to bed but to sit barks wake the neighbours. In this Ernie’s screams disturb Toby. The outside on the front verandah? sequence, Blair portrays three angry dog’s barks wake the neighbors. men. Derek is forced to get up and attend to A new day and Ernie is already hard the barking dog. at work making Evonne’s home more • Who becomes angry in this secure. He is distracted by the noise sequence? Why? How do they • This sequence introduces of Derek and his children, as they at- express their anger? Who attempts Evonne’s next-door neighbours, tempt to train Toby. to keep the peace? Jim and Susie. Jim and Susie are Spend time as a class discuss- non-Indigenous Australians. • When Evonne comes to the front ing Jim and Derek’s exchange. Is How are the characters of Jim and door to ask Ernie if he is hungry, he Derek out of line when he blames Susie portrayed in this sequence? directs her to look across the road, ‘the old codger’? Describe Ernie’s Describe their home. What labeling Derek ‘a dickhead’. response to Derek calling him an does it suggest about their When you watched ‘Dogs of War’ old codger? circumstances? for the first time, why did you Explain the role the female charac-

think Ernie was so hostile towards ters play in this sequence. SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 Anger is a normal human emotion. Derek? When anger is managed properly it is • Doctor: How long have you been Neighbourhood disputes are not not a problem; it can even be helpful having the nightmares for? uncommon. People want to feel com- to express anger. When anger is not Ernie: Easter Sunday, 1968. fortable and safe in their own homes. managed properly or is expressed in Ernie and doctor discuss his ‘raspy If they don’t, then conflict is likely to harmful ways, then it leads to other baritone’. Ernie puts it down to arise. Common neighbourhood dis- problems. twenty years of being a sergeant putes involve fences, trees, animals, 7 6

When Derek notices Ernie talking to Toby, he becomes hostile.

• Derek: Back inside your house, you old prick. Ernie: Free country. Derek: I said, get inside. Ernie: Make me. Derek: How old are you? Is Ernie looking for a fight? Shouldn’t Derek know better? What comment is Blair making about anger and the difficulties of managing anger? Fight PHOTO MARK ROGERS 6 Night. Evonne is asleep. Ernie ventures into Evonne’s room in search noise and drainage. Neighbourhood Naomi play of the equipment, while of tissues. disputes are best resolved as early as Derek trains Toby. possible. When a dispute escalates, • Explain the significance of the the conflict can become entrenched. • Explain the symbolism of the plas- photograph that Ernie sees on tic bag full of tissues. Evonne’s dresser. • Are you on good terms with your • What does the scene at the neighbours? park suggest about Derek the Ernie searches the kitchen cupboards, Why is it important to maintain neighbour? until he finds a bottle of whiskey. positive relationships with your Happy, he sinks into a lounge chair neighbours? Later that day, when Ernie takes the and drinks until he falls asleep. Ernie’s What causes conflict between plastic bag of tissues to the bin on the nightmare takes hold yet again. neighbours? front verandah, Toby growls at him. Evonne wakes him and Toby wakes How can conflict between neigh- Ernie growls back. the others. bours be avoided? How can conflict between neigh- • Ernie: You can smell it, hey? • Drawing on your knowledge of bours be resolved? Ernie crosses the street and ad- story telling and production ele- • Jim: You gotta give them your dresses Toby. ments, write a commentary of the name. What were your initial impressions showdown between Ernie and Susie: I thought it was confidential. of Ernie’s behavior in this scene? Derek. Jim: Redfern Council, you reckon Why do you think Blair decided to they’re gonna be confidential? Susie: Well so what, so what if they know? Jim: I don’t want any more trouble from the anger management dude across the road. Inside their home, Jim and Susie argue. Susie wants Jim to call the council. Jim is reluctant, Susie is insistent. What does this conversation be-

tween husband and wife suggest? SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 Explain the significance of this exchange in terms of Jim’s subse- quent decision to poison Toby.

The next day, Ernie sits on the edge of the bed. Derek and the children are already at the local park. Jake and PHOTO MARK ROGERS 8 6

have the fight scene play out in the middle of the road? Spend time as a class discussing the use of the street and the exteriors of the characters’ homes to tell the story of ‘Dogs of War’.

The action shifts to the interior of Evonne’s home. Evonne is tending to Ernie’s wounds. Ernie decides to tell Evonne the truth about his visit to the doctor.

• Ernie: The doctor, he saw some- thing else…two bullets and a gre- nade. And they’re not good lumps bub. Why does Ernie choose this mo- ment to tell Evonne the truth about his health? Does the diagnosis of cancer explain Ernie’s behavior in previous scenes? • Spend time as a class discussing Ernie’s fears, past, present and future.

The next morning, Ernie struggles to get out of bed. As he rises, he talks to himself in the mirror, wondering where ‘tough’ Ernie has gone: ‘Where’s Ernie? Are there you are you old sook’, until his attention is drawn to dis- tressed cries for help. PHOTO STEVE BRACK • Working as a class, explain how story telling elements and produc- tion elements are used to engage the analysis by referring to the shot casket. I want the one I bled for; the audience in this sequence. of Ernie watching the ambulance the flag with the union jack in the Begin the analysis by referring to drive away. corner. the shot of Ernie at the front door • Derek: You wait you old bastard. Explain the significance of Ernie’s of Evonne’s house and conclude Explain Derek’s decision to blame tirade. Ernie. Ernie retreats to the backyard to enjoy a beer. His solitude is disturbed by Having a go the arrival of the police. The police are investigating the baiting incident. 7 The sequence begins with Ernie walking along a Redfern street. • Officer Donaldson: Mr Johnson, When he sights two Indigenous men we understand you’ve had some on a park bench, one wearing the col- run-ins with Derek Jackson from ours of the Indigenous flag he lashes number 18. out. Evonne: My father did not poison

that girl. SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 • Ernie: Bloody Aboriginal colours. Aaron: Yes, we understand. Viet Cong flogged the frogs, Ernie: Coon in uniform. Do you get they flogged the Yanks and they ostracised by the blacks? By your flogged the Aussies, and we own community? couldn’t even beat a bunch of Explain Evonne’s protectiveness. dirty useless convicts. When I die, Explain Ernie’s hostility. don’t you put them colours on my Why doesn’t Aaron challenge PHOTO STEVE BRACK 9 6 PHOTO STEVE BRACK

Ernie? have a little baby. I need you here. the CT scan. • Ernie: What about the dog? It’s We can’t tell anyone about this. • Doctor: Surely you’ve been dead. Would you bait a dog? Did Listen, you saved her life. Right. through a lot worse. you catch the bastard that burgled She would not be breathing if it Write a commentary that analyses my daughter’s house? Do you spit wasn’t for you. the use of story telling elements polish those shoes constable? Spend time as a class, discussing and production elements to con- What does Blair want you to Jim’s drastic action. vey the horror of Ernie’s experi- think of Ernie’s behavior in this Describe Susie’s initial response to ence of war. sequence? Jim’s admission. Can her subse- How does this flashback sequence quent decision to cover up Jim’s influence the audience’s perspec- Ernie stands up and walks away from wrongdoing be justified? tive of Ernie? the interview. In the backyard he is overcome by a coughing fit. When Ernie reaches home, he discov- Fixing ers that the alarm has been triggered. • Is Ernie’s tough demeanour a everything The panes of glass in the front door defence mechanism? 9 have been broken. The words ‘Kid Killer’ have been written in red paint Ernie heads to the hospital for a CT across the front door. Gratitude scan. and guilt • Why does Jim offer to help? Why 8 *A CT scan uses a computer that does Susie call him to come takes data from several X-ray images home? Derek knocks on Jim and Susie’s of structures inside a human’s body door. He wants to thank Jim for saving and converts them into pictures on a When Evonne arrives home and she Naomi’s life. monitor. CT stands for computerised sees Ernie at the front door, she thinks tomography. that the house has been burgled • How does Jim respond to Derek’s again. Ernie stands in front of the door, gratitude and show of emotion? • As Ernie makes his way along the not allowing Evonne to see the graffiti How does Susie respond to hospital corridors to his appoint- and suggesting that she should head Derek’s gratitude? ment, he pauses at the door of inside and have a cup of tea. Naomi’s room. He looks into the

When Derek leaves, Jim unable to room through the partially opened • Why do you think Ernie hides the SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 cope with the guilt of his action con- door. Derek and Jake are sitting by truth about the damage to the front fesses to baiting the dog. Naomi’s bedside. door, letting Evonne believe it was Explain the significance of this an attempted burglary? • Jim: I didn’t mean to poison the scene. • Evonne: Oh yeah, cup of tea will girl. I fucking poisoned the dog. I • Describe how Ernie Dingo’s acting fix everything. A child got baited didn’t mean to poison the girl. in this sequence reveals that his across the road. My house has Susie: You could go to jail. We character Ernie is anxious about been broken into and vandalised in 10 6

the space of a week. I witnessed a dog being shot point blank and my old man goes twelve rounds outside my house but everything’s gonna be fine because I’m having a fucking cup of tea. Ernie: Well at least the alarm works. What does the dialogue tell the au- dience about Ernie and Evonne’s relationship? Has Evonne inherited her father’s temper? Has she also inherited her father’s sense of humour? Suspicion 10 The sequence begins in the backyard, Ernie wakes to the noise of next-door preparing for an open for PHOTO MARK ROGERS inspection. He heads into the kitchen for breakfast. When Evonne hands are used in this scene. Begin your ‘Uncle’ from outside Evonne’s house Ernie a glass of juice, he decides to analysis by referring to the shot are Jake’s, eager for Ernie to help him voice his suspicions aloud. of Derek walking up the hallway train the Jackson’s new dog. and out of Evonne’s front door and • Ernie: Bub, how’d he know? How end your analysis with the shot of • What does Jake’s use of the term did he know to give the girl soda Evonne closing her front door. ‘Uncle’ suggest about the change water? • Explain the symbolism of Ernie lean- in Ernie’s status? Evonne: I don’t know. He just did, ing on Evonne’s front fence drinking • What does the closing sequence I guess. a cup of tea as a handcuffed Jim is suggest about the characters’ Ernie: Because he knew what lead away by the police. futures? she’d swallowed. How did he • Explain the symbolism of Derek’s know what she swallowed? nod in Ernie’s direction. What does Ernie do next? Why • Why does the scene end with a CREATIVE does he act on his suspicions? distressed Ernie curled up on his RESPONSE Explain Ernie’s motivation. bed? How do production elements establish meaning in this scene? This episode of Redfern Now is titled Ernie walks decisively from Evonne’s ‘Dogs of War’. home and into next door. Family The phrase ‘dogs of war’ can be • What were you thinking and feel- traced back to William Shakespeare’s ing as you watched Ernie move 11 ‘Dogs of War’ ends hap- play Julius Caesar: ‘Cry ‘Havoc!’, and his way around JIm and Susie’s pily. Ernie has had his operation and let slip the dogs of war’. It is also the home? appears to be in better health. Evonne title of novels, albums, songs, comics, Write an analysis of how story has given birth and Ernie is now a short story anthologies, films, televi- telling and production elements doting grandfather. The shouts of sion episodes and video games.

Investigate the meaning of the phrase ‘dogs of war’. Now that you have watched the episode, explain the meaning of the title. SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 Your task is to create a text titled the ‘Dogs of War’.

Submit a proposal that states the form, audience and purpose of your text and provides a synopsis of the story that the text will tell. PHOTO MARK ROGERS 11 This study guide was produced by ATOM. (© ATOM 2013) ISBN: 978-1-74295-390-8-1 [email protected] For information on SCREEN EDUCATION magazine, or to download other study guides for assessment, visit . Join ATOM’s email broadcast list for invitations to

free screenings, conferences, seminars, etc. SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 Sign up now at . For hundreds of articles on Film as Text, Screen Literacy, Multiliteracy and Media Studies, visit . 12