© ATOM 2013 A STUDY GUIDE BY MARGUERITE O’HARA

http://www.metromagazine.com.au

ISBN: 978-1-74295-356-4 http://www.theeducationshop.com.au Overview

The Sunnyboy (Kaye Harrison, 2013) follows fifty-year-old Jeremy Oxley, the enigmatic front man of the much-lauded 1980s band The , as he emerges from a thirty-year battle with schizophrenia.

Only recently stabilised with medication and now secure in a loving environment, the documentary follows Jeremy as he begins to unpick the confused thoughts and feelings he has about his painful past and the nature of his illness. Unsure of what is real and what has been misconstrued, Jeremy tentatively revisits relationships damaged by his illness, most significantly with his brother and fellow band member Peter. With the support of his partner Mary, Jeremy also struggles with the physical consequences of his illness and years of a destructive lifestyle as well as the many relationship challenges they face as they prepare to get married.

Told largely from his perspective, The Sunnyboy follows Jeremy as his confidence and wellbeing slowly grows and he begins to think about a return to the stage. An enlightening exploration of one family’s experience of a misunderstood and stigmatised condition, The Sunnyboy is an inspiring story of hope, survival, the healing power of love and optimism. It shines a light on the realities of a mental illness and the pressures of being a rock musician. SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013

2 Synopsis

When Jeremy Oxley tentatively walked out on stage at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney, in April 2012 he was enveloped by a tsunami of rapturous ap- plause. Jeremy’s ability just to have survived thirty years of living with schizophrenia is remarkable in itself. The courage and the strength he mustered to return to the stage made the performance heroic.

In the early 1980s, at of nineteen, Jeremy Oxley was touted as one of the most talented sing- er/songwriters in . Frontman of the highly successful post punk pop band The Sunnyboys, Jeremy along with his older brother Peter (bass guitarist), achieved rapid success. Typical of the music industry at the time, The Sunnyboys quickly became trapped in a cycle of relentless touring and rushed recording sessions. Always protective of his talented little brother, Peter was unable to protect Jeremy from physical and mental burnout. As the creative force in the band, Jeremy shouldered the crushing burden to match the band’s initial suc- cess. Little did he or his brother know what was lurking within, or how the stress would trigger the onset of his condition.

Consumed by paranoid and disturbing thoughts – some of which were about Peter – Jeremy sought refuge in drugs and alcohol. Peter was at a loss to understand his brother’s bizarre behaviour. This created a lot of conflict and ul- world. Jeremy constantly sought to make sense of timately led to the demise of the band. Unable the confusion through his music and art. to accept that he had a mental illness and concerned about some of the unpleasant side- Mary found Jeremy in a mad and desperate state: effects of medication, Jeremy refused medical unkempt and verging on a diabetic coma. Despite treatment and the brothers were forced apart. his odd behaviour, Mary could see a glimmer of the For the next twenty-five years, Jeremy strug- man within. Two years of anti-psychotic medication gled with the symptoms of his illness, including and the stability of a loving family environment and tormenting auditory hallucinations and delusional Jeremy is beginning to walk out of the desert. Very thoughts about who he was and his place in the slowly his illness is being stripped away to reveal the real Jeremy, the brilliant witty man that has always been there but tragically hidden.

Curriculum Guidelines

The Sunnyboy would be an excellent film to show to middle and secondary school students across a number of human and social sciences subject areas. Some teachers and students may already be familiar with some of the excellent materials available on the Mind Matters website at which deals

with a range of mental health issues, demystifying SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 the many myths and misconceptions about mental health. Given the often cavalier and sensationalist treatment of mental illness in many popular films, a documentary like The Sunnyboy should provide something of a reality check to many populist representations.

3 The film may also be a valuable resource to use in Physical Education and PDHPE subject areas in terms of looking at how we need to improve health priorities in Australia. It could also be used in Civics and Citizenship areas.

The Sunnyboy would also be a valuable resource for students of Psychology. In VCE Unit 4, students learn about the connections between brain, behav- iour and experience. One of the areas for special study includes a study of a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. Students are expected to consider ‘the interaction between biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors which contribute to an understanding of the disorder and its management’.

At Year 10 level, as part of their studies of contem- porary Australian History, students can investigate aspects of popular culture from 1945–present, looking at how films, music / rock ‘n’ roll and sport have come to express a particularly Australian identity. Exploring the rise of The Sunnyboys in The Filmmakers the 1980s as part of the explosion in youth culture Director/Co-Producer/ Director for his distinctive observational would be an ideal topic for special study. of Photography/sound – Kaye storytelling style and his ability to Harrison: For the past twelve get close to his subjects. During For Media Studies students, the film offers an years, Kaye has been directing and the course of a career spanning interesting example of the documentary form. shooting her own longitudinal over thirty years, Tom has evolved While telling an absorbing story about a talented documentaries. Her most notable a strongly authored style focusing musician, it also opens up the whole subject of works include Crossing The Line around a personal response to the mental illness, families and communities, without (2005) and The Long Goodbye Tom Zubrycki has directed over (2010) , both of which won a produced another sixteen with and mental illness in general, particularly on how number of awards. Crossing The new and emerging directors. His it affects individuals and families. This is a world Line is a film about two idealistic best-known works as director that is often invisible in our society. Probably as young medical students and their include Billal (1996), The a result of our fear of developing mental illnesses first exposure to working in an Diplomat (2000), and Molly & ourselves, we tend to look away. Jeremy Oxley’s Aboriginal community. The Long Mobarak (2003). In 2002 he story challenges the stigmas often associated with Goodbye follows the journeys of completed The Hungry Tide, a mental illness, essentially by sharing his lived expe- three families living with dementia personal story about the Pacific rience. At the same time, his family and friends also as they struggle to maintain the nation of Kiribati and the impact share their sense of what it is like for them. Implicit identity and dignity of their loved of climate change. As producer, in the documentary is an argument for more effec- one. The Sunnyboy is Kaye’s first his latest films include Mary Meets tive early intervention services and greater commu- feature documentary. Mohammad (Heather Kirkpatrick, 2013) and The Sunnyboy with nity support in mental health care. Kaye Harrison is a filmmaker who director Kaye Harrison. Apart approaches all stages of production from producing and directing, That Jeremy Oxley is a remarkable singer/song- with the very highest level of Tom teaches masterclasses at writer and a talented artist, both as a musician and personal integrity. Her method the Australian Film, Television a painter, as well as being a lively and funny man, is to spend a long time with and Radio School (AFTRS). In makes this film very accessible and engaging. her subjects, building trust and 2010, he received the Stanley involving them in the production Hawes Award ‘in recognition Later in this guide you will find information and process from start to finish. Her of outstanding contribution to SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 questions about mental illness, but it is recom- goal is to make films that engage, documentary filmmaking in mended that you watch the film first before looking inspire and make a difference to a Australia’. more closely at this material. The story of the very broad audience. Oxleys’ experience opens up many issues about Editor: Karen Johnson creativity, mental illness, different treatment ap- Producer – Tom Zubrycki: proaches, resilience and optimism. Tom Zubrycki is an award-winning Sound design, edit and mix: documentary filmmaker, renowned Sam Petty 4 Internal dissent began to plague the band; Jeremy was battling mental illness and drinking heavily as a result. The Sunnyboys announced their break- up in June 1984. Following their demise, Jeremy launched a new band called Chinless Elite and, shortly after, another group called The Fishermen. Burgman meanwhile joined The Saints and ulti- mately Weddings, Parties, Anything, while and Bill Bilson formed the soul band The Sparklers. There were a couple of reunion appear- ances for the Sunnyboys in the intervening years – the last one with the original line up was in 1991. People In 2012, the original band line-up played in a appearing in concert at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. The band the film was listed on the bill as ‘Kids In Dust’ and played Jeremy Oxley a number of their 1980s hits to an enthusiastic lead singer/ Who are The Sunnyboys? audience. Late in 2012 they played at the Meredith songwriter/guitarist Music Festival and as support act to with The Sunnyboys In the early 1980s, The Sunnyboys were a success- on his 2013 Australian tour. Peter Oxley ful Australian melodic pop music band. Their debut brother of Jeremy album was a huge success and, for a time, they You can watch and listen to the Sunnyboys from and bass player in were one of the most popular bands in inner-city the 1980s to the present on You Tube by putting The Sunnyboys Sydney. In twenty months, they went from a stand- Sunnyboys youtube into your search engine. Jan and Eric Oxley ing start to a gold record and a string of hit singles parents of Jeremy – all written and sung by Jeremy Oxley when he and Peter and three was only nineteen and twenty. Other band mem- STUDENT ACTIVITY 1 other children bers included Peter Oxley, Jeremy’s older brother Richard Burgman who played bass guitar, guitarist Richard Burgman Watching the film The Sunnyboys band and drummer Bil Bilson. The band’s name was member taken from a popular orange-flavoured frozen ice Viewing log drink that came in a tetrahedron-shaped pack. Bil Bilson According to Richard Burgman, the band chose the Divide up the viewing tasks between groups of The Sunnyboys name because it represented ‘bright, happy, fun students and share your ideas and responses drummer and young’. after watching the film. Focus on how Jeremy, his Mary Oxley- talents and illness affect both himself and others. Griffiths The Sunnyboys signed to in See tables on pages 6 and 7. Jeremy’s partner and 1981. In July that year their single ‘Happy Man’ now wife made the mainstream charts. Other Sunnyboys hits As with many film stories about an individual, this Kieran and Lachlan included ‘Alone With You’ and, in later years, ‘You story does not follow a strict chronology but is inter- Mary’s sons Need a Friend’ and ‘Show Me Some Discipline’. cut with a range of recollections people share about Fellow musicians, different times in Jeremy’s (and their own) lives. music writers, producers, contemporaries and admirers of The Sunnyboys Peter Garrett (Midnight Oil), Michael Gudinski, (record company owner), Stuart Coupe (music journalist), Catherine Croll (photographer), Tait Brady (The Strand SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 and film producer), Archie Law (Huxton Creepers)

Photo by Lulu Bilson 5 TABLE 1

AREA OF FOCUS Contribution to story and to Jeremy’s journey

The Oxley family’s early life and Jeremy as a boy

The early days of The Sunnyboys – their sound and successes

Jan and Eric Oxley – parents

Peter Oxley – older brother of Jeremy and bass player

Mary Oxley- Griffiths – Jeremy’s partner

Kieran and SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 Lachlan – Mary’s children from a previous marriage

6 TABLE 2

Jeremy Oxley

Approximate Life Significance dates experiences

1961 Childhood and – late schooldays 1970s

1979 As a young –1980s and successful musician

(?) The beginnings of Jeremy’s illness

1984 The years of –2008 (?) struggle

2008 Meeting Mary Griffiths

2012 Singing on SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 stage again with The Sunnyboys

7 Jeremy: I thought I was a really good guy Mary: You are J: I’m not a schizophrenic M: Yeah, you are. But that doesn’t make you a bad person J: You’re a … I think you’re a schizophrenic. M: What a schizophrenic thing to say J: I think it takes one to know one

STUDENT ACTIVITY 2

Observations, reflections and opinions

The following quotes from the film are grouped into two sets. See pages 9–10.

Set 1 is Jeremy speaking to some kind of accommodation of their differing perceptions about what Set 2 is what others recall and observe about happened and are able to make mu- Jeremy and how life changed for The Sunnyboys. sic together for the first time in more than twenty years. Read through the two sets of quotes. • How does director Kaye Harrison • Identify the situation or context in which the explore the subject of mental individual is speaking illness in this film? • Discuss what insights are revealed in the • Were you conscious of the pres- Photo by Lulu Bilson quotes that contribute to our understanding of ence of camera, lights, sound recordist and/ Jeremy Oxley and his illness or interviewers as you watched the film? If so, • What do these observations reveal about the at what points in the film? (It was nearly always difficulties for people living with, and/or related director Kaye doing directing/interviewing, to, a person suffering from a mental illness? camera and sound.) • Documentaries that invite people to speak openly and honestly about real difficulties in STUDENT ACTIVITY 3 family life such as mental illness and its effects on families require a high level of trust between Telling The Sunnyboys’ story filmmakers and subjects. -- How do you think Jeremy, Mary, Peter and Jeremy: It was in the paper the other day about the other members of the Oxley family who Sunnyboys and about how I’ve suffered from speak to the filmmaker would feel about this schizophrenia for thirty years. And I said oh that’s film that does expose painful family situ- interesting. But it’s not really true, because I’ve ations? Are there points in the film where been seeking, seeking the truth. talking about the past is just too painful Interviewer: Is it like you’re dislocated from other for some of the people who witnessed people’s perception of you? Jeremy’s illness and its effects on them all? Jeremy: Yeah, I don’t know what the hell’s going • In what ways do you think watching this film on. I don’t know. I just, people have said, you’re a might help people come to a clearer and more schizophrenic and I said oh what’s that. And some empathetic understanding of the complexities people call you a genius, and I said that’s ridicu- of mental health issues? lous. I’m just like everybody else, I forget the bad • Jeremy Oxley is an interesting, multi- times and move onto the good times. dimensional personality. What are some of the SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 Interviewer: Maybe because you’re schizophren- qualities he (and Mary) shows in this film that ic, you don’t know you’re a schizophrenic makes this story so engaging? Jeremy: That’s right. I think that’s my form of • How important is the archival material of family schizophrenia, that I’m so schizophrenic that I don’t life in the 1970s to an audience in helping to know I’m schizophrenic. develop a sense of the changes that affected so many lives? This exchange takes place after the successful re- • In what ways does Jeremy embody the epony- union concert, when the Oxley brothers have come mous title of this film – The Sunnyboy? 8 Set 2 Family and friends

After the first album was big, then there’s much more pressure with the idea of record company and agency and management. We were a young band, and lots of people see you and they buy your album. So it’s this mass exposure. Set 1 Peter Oxley ••••• Jeremy Things were so empty and soulless. Just cries out for drug abuse. Just The thing that made a differ- I just find that ever since taking up cries out to take a big mouthful of ence with those Oxley boys, and this sword of entertainment, it’s just yourself. Man-eating shark. I was Jeremy in particular, was his been relentless. I thought you walk really wild then. I was … I was like a absolute passion when he’s on on stage and do it in halves and wasp after its nest has been dis- stage … the huge grin that he quarters and thirds, but you can’t, it turbed. I was just off my head. had and that magnificent stage- takes the whole lot of you. presence, so that you were taken I wasn’t living in the real world. I on a journey with him. I had to get prizes in sport (surfing) don’t know what sort of world I was in order to alleviate myself from that living in. I wasn’t happy. I thought Catherine Croll fear of being mad. someone was causing my pain. I – Photographer thought someone was responsi- For three months of it I had fun. The ble for it. It was just one great big ••••• rest of it was a haul. I just felt like I blurred crusade. It was just a blurred was doing something for nothing. I crusade. When Jeremy was a child he was mean I felt like the music was stolen a delightful little boy … He’s got a from me. And it was my music, it was I don’t even believe I’m schizophren- really nice nature. Probably out of my expression, and it was just fucked ic anyway. I believe I’m ridgydidge. all of them (the five) he’d have the with. I stand straight up and down. I’m nicest nature. number one. I just don’t go for this There was only one person doing mental illness bullshit. I just think life Jan Oxley the songwriting. And he was doing is what you make it. all the singing and doing everything. ••••• And that was me so I couldn’t do it She gives me something that I don’t anymore. Just ran out of energy. Ran know quite what it is, but it makes Being a huge Sunnyboys fan out of, maybe I ran out of innocence. me happy. In some way I feel con- … the memory of him in The tented sometimes. Sometimes I feel Sunnyboys was of him being I felt torn. Torn and twisted. Half, contented. And that’s really weird, somebody vibrant and happy, fun, half alive. Something had me by the a really weird feeling. I feel like I’m so much energy. All of a sud- scruff of the neck and wouldn’t let myself, you know, I feel … good. den the articles that were written go. There’s a creature on my back about him had him really down- and it’s fighting for my soul. The dark cloud that was hanging and-out. I wanted to see for SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 over The Sunnyboys has cleared. myself if that was truly the case I just find that I sort of gave too much It was The Sunnyboys against the and what I could do to help. in that first, first band, I just felt I world when we first started. And the overstepped my mark. My music was world passed through us. And now Mary stolen from me. I was never able to we’re ready to rock and roll again. get back what I’d lost. •••••

9 Jeremy teaches us guitar. He’s kind, he’s like a gentle giant. He’s really funny. Sort of nice having another per- former around. And another man in the house. Someone to wrestle. Someone to jump on.

Kieran and Lachlan

•••••

You could see at first that he wasn’t well, and that he was having a lot of auditory hallucinations. Most would involve his brother Peter or his mum. And he would think they would be in the next room or they would be on the roof. Or sometimes behind him … And they’d be saying nasty things about him like ‘we like Peter better than … I was terribly upset about Jeremy’. It was really hard to see, but it, but there again you still it also made me realise the pain that he can’t do anything about it. He In the very early days, from the small was living with. had to go right down to rock- glimpses that I had of his reality, and bottom before he actually that he had with me, we both saw what Mary was helped, and that hap- we wanted. Jeremy really wanted to be pened with Peter. And there in a loving family situation. And do all ••••• was a knock on the door one the normal things everybody else was night and Jeremy was stand- doing. So he was willing to go through There’s no treatment available unless ing there. He looked terrible that process to find the right medica- a kid’s in danger of harming himself and he had nothing … and tion. And that wasn’t an easy process or other people. I wanted him to have he’d been sleeping in the for any of us. treatment, I wanted him to be made to streets. That was when they have treatment, and you can’t do that. first put him into Rozelle. Mary They’ve got to choose to do it. He was just out of touch with reality. He was Jan Oxley ••••• sort of alone and wanted to be alone. He was distant, in some way sort of Because of the schizophrenia you have distant, you know. We weren’t as close; made bad choices in your life. And now we’d lost that closeness that we had you’ve got a chance to really turn that earlier. It sort of seemed to be drifting, medication, because he’s got to get around and make some better choices. and there seemed to be nothing we better, he can’t live like this, because So you need to stop blaming every- could do about it. he’s going to die, he’s going to injure body else. Your dad rang because he somebody, he’s going to drive his car was concerned about you … And you Eric Oxley drunk, he’s going to kill someone, then stick your head in the sand. It’s a very he’s going to go to jail. schizophrenic thing to do. ••••• Peter Mary Back then (early 1990s) it was really terrible treatment. And everyone was ••••• ••••• just given lithium, and he had lockjaw and was just dribbling. And he said to The more well he becomes he’s actu- It’s like he’s been in there the whole me, ‘Look I can’t do this. You know ally remembering a lot more. So just time, the Jeremy that we see now, that you got to get me out of here.’ After seems like, as the medication and the remains undamaged. I want Jeremy to SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 that time he didn’t want to know about stability takes hold, it’s unravelling this say: here I am, I am Jeremy Oxley. To medication … big ball of confusion. get up on stage and sing and play his guitar and then I’d go: Man, you did it. Sometimes you’d get angry and you’d Mary Do you know … that’s what I want. just want to grab him and just take him to hospital and give him some •••••

10 What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is an illness, a medical condition. It affects the normal functioning of the brain, interfer- ing with a person’s ability to think, feel and act. Some recover completely and, with time, most find that their symptoms improve. However, for many it is a prolonged illness that can involve years of – for example, stress or use of drugs such as distressing symptoms and disability. marijuana, LSD or speed – can trigger their first episode. People affected by schizophrenia have one person- ality, just like everyone else. It is a myth and totally How many people develop untrue that those affected have a so-called ‘split schizophrenia? personality’. About one in a hundred people will develop schizo- What are the symptoms? phrenia at some time in their lives. Most of these will be first affected in their late teens and early If not receiving treatment, people with schizophre- twenties. nia experience persistent symptoms of what is called psychosis. These include: How is schizophrenia treated?

Confused thinking – When acutely ill, people Treatment can do much to reduce and even elimi- with psychotic symptoms experience disordered nate the symptoms. Treatment should generally thinking. The everyday thoughts that let us live include a combination of medication and commu- our daily lives become confused and don’t join up nity support. Both are usually essential for the best properly. outcome.

Delusions – A delusion is a false belief held by Medication a person that is not held by others of the same cultural background. These beliefs can cause Certain medications assist the brain to restore its paranoia. usual chemical balance. This then helps reduce or get rid of some of the symptoms. Hallucinations – The person sees, hears, feels, smells or tastes something that is not actually Community support programs there. The hallucination is often of disembodied voices which no one else can hear. This support should include information, accom- modation, help with finding suitable work, training Other associated symptoms are low motivation and and education, psychosocial rehabilitation and mu- changed feelings. tual support groups. Understanding and accept- SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 ance by the community is also very important1. What causes schizophrenia? Read the following information about mental The causes of schizophrenia are not fully un- illness before responding to the questions that derstood. They are likely to be a combination of follow. This information is from the SANE Australia hereditary and other factors. It is probable that website at . 11 people with a mental illness – accommoda- tion, rehabilitation, recreation and help back to work. Understanding and respect from others is an important form of support that all of us can give. For more information, see Factsheet: Treatments for mental illness.

-- Mental illness is treatable Contrary to what is commonly believed, most people with a mental illness recover well with appropriate ongoing treatment and support. For some, there will be a psychiatric disability. The vast majority of people with a psychiatric dis- ability are able to live independently (and often to work) in the community, if given the opportu- nity and support to do so.

-- People with schizophrenia have only one personality Schizophrenia has nothing to do with split per- Facts and Figures about sonality. It is an illness, a medical condition that mental illness affects the normal functioning of the brain, in- terfering with a person’s ability to think, feel and -- Mental illness is common act. Some people recover completely and, with Around half the population will experience a time, most find that their symptoms improve. mental illness at some stage of their life and There is no cure yet, but it is a treatable illness. about one in five people will experience some People with schizophrenia find it hurtful to have form of mental health problem each year. their diagnosis inaccurately misrepresented as About one in every hundred people will develop a split personality. schizophrenia at some time in their lives and up to two in every hundred will develop bipolar disorder. STUDENT ACTIVITY 4

-- The vast majority of people with mental ill- Facts about mental illness ness are not generally violent Having a mental illness does not mean some- • Nearly half (45 per cent) of the population will one will be violent. People being treated for a experience a mental disorder at some stage in mental illness are no more violent or dangerous their lives. than the general population. If anything, they • Almost one in five Australians (20 per cent) will are more likely to be the victims of violence, es- experience a mental illness in a twelve-month pecially self-harm. A small sub-group of people period. with a mental illness may be more violent than • During a one-year period, anxiety disorders the general population. These are likely to be will affect 14 per cent of the population and people who have a history of violent behaviour, depression will affect 6 per cent. who abuse drugs or alcohol, and who are not • Depression is one of the most common condi- receiving treatment or taking medication as tions in young people and increases during prescribed. Mental illness is associated with adolescence. only a minuscule proportion of the violence that • At least one third of young people have had an occurs in society. For more information, see episode of mental illness by the time they are Factsheet: Mental illness and violence. twenty-five years old. • Research indicates that people receiving treat- -- Most people with mental illness receive ment for a mental illness are no more violent or treatment in the community dangerous than the general population.

With modern medications and treatment, there • People living with a mental illness are more SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 is generally no reason for most people with a likely to be victims of violence, especially mental illness to be in hospital. If they are, a self-harm. stay is usually for a few weeks when they are • Mental illnesses are not purely ‘psychological’ unwell … as with many other types of illness. and can have many physical features. There is now an emphasis on treatment in the • Anyone can develop a mental illness and no community so that people can continue to live one is immune to mental health problems. at home. However, we need to ensure that • Most people with mental illnesses recover there is sufficient support in the community for well and are able to lead fulfilling lives in the 12 • What are some of the stereotypes surrounding mental illnesses? • What are some of the entirely unhelpful, inac- curate and cruel labels some people use to describe people suffering a mental illness, i.e. the shorthand language of thoughtlessness? -- How do these terms unfairly label individuals? -- How would you feel if you were labelled with one of these terms? • ‘How could I have schizophrenia? If some- one has schizophrenia, they can’t contribute; they’ve done nothing. Look at these paintings. Look at all the music I’ve written.’ – Jeremy Oxley -- How does Jeremy Oxley’s frequently ex- pressed denial that he has schizophrenia community when they receive appropriate reflect both personal and general fear about ongoing treatment and support. what this word implies? • Women were more likely than men to • A recently released report suggests that one in use services for mental health problems. five people have experienced discrimination in Approximately two-thirds of people with a men- the workforce as a result of mental illness. In tal illness do not receive treatment in a twelve- what ways are physical illnesses such as heart month period. conditions and cancers regarded differently to • It is estimated that up to 85 per cent of home- mental illnesses in the way they are regarded less people have a mental illness. and treated in our society? Why do you think many people are so reluctant to acknowledge 1. Which (if any) of these statistics surprised you? and try to understand the nature of mental 2. How can we all contribute to the mental health illnesses? of ourselves and others? 3. How important are strong family relationships to assisting in positive mental health? STUDENT ACTIVITY 5 4. Who is at risk of developing a mental health disorder? Reviews 5. What does the story offered in the film about Jeremy Oxley suggest about the importance Read the following review of The Sunnyboy by of early and positive intervention in helping Natalie Salvo, which was published in June 2013 moderate many of the most distressing aspects after the film was shown at the Sydney Film of mental illness? Festival: 6. What are some of the more distressing physical problems that sometimes accompany men- When Kaye Harrison set out to make a schizo- tal illness and can be side effects of certain phrenia documentary she had no idea her subject medications? would make a come-back to music. It’s a fitting 7. How do we all need to change our thinking chapter in the long and often complex history of about mental illness to encourage people who the Sunnyboys and unsurprising that once again a are showing signs of distress to accept profes- curveball would appear out of leftfield. Except that sional and family support?

The language of fear and ignorance

Despite the statistic that one in five Australians will suffer from a mental illness at some time in their lives, it remains a taboo topic. People are scared SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 of the idea. As in many areas of our life, a lack of understanding and fear of difference often results in us using stigmatising language to characterise conditions such as mental illness as well as dif- ferences resulting from other mental and physical disabilities.

13 things (Burgman would famously go on to play with Weddings, Parties, Anything and The Saints).

The Sunnyboy is a multi-faceted documentary that gives a history of the band and Oxley’s withdrawal from the Australian music scene. It shows how he was eventually able to get his psychological disor- this time this ball has resulted in a home-run der under control with appropriate medication; how – an excellent feature documentary about one he had to repair previously fractious relationships; enigmatic creature. and most importantly, how he found love and re- emerged valiantly (after no less than two decades) The Sunnyboy had its world premiere at the with his old mates to play at the Hoodoo Guru’s Dig Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid Festival. It It Up! Festival to 2500 people in 2012. tells the story of Jeremy Saxon Oxley, the frontman of The Sunnyboys, and its execution captures this The story is a must-see for all Sunnyboys’ fans and big man to a tee. The film reflects his humour, mu- for anyone interested in learning more about mental sical prowess, intelligence and passion in what is a illness and schizophrenia in particular. Oxley is one raw but ultimately hopeful and uplifting story. charismatic, colourful and interesting character. He’s full of witty one-liners (like introducing himself The documentary includes interviews with Oxley’s as ‘Jesus’ to his partner, Mary, or sipping out of a Sunnyboy band mates: his elder bass-playing ‘rockstar’ mug. There’s also the time he turned a brother, Peter; their childhood friend and drummer gold record into a bullet-hole-laden sculpture, and Bil Bilson and guitarist Richard Burgman. Oxley’s the list goes on). parents and partner are also interviewed along with Australian music luminaries like Michael Gudinski, In some ways there is an air of both Ian Curtis and Peter Garrett, John Watson and Stuart Coupe. Keith Moon about Oxley. On the one hand there The Sunnyboy also features lots of music, archive is the introspective and intelligent poet, but the photos and footage of the band from their musical flipside is that Oxley is also a big child with a mean, heyday and beyond. self-destructive streak. But unlike those other musi- cians, Oxley has at least lived to tell the tale. The story goes that Jeremy Oxley was a child prodigy. A young surfing champion, he would go Harrison has done an exceptional job of maintain- on to write songs and play guitar riffs that were so ing a sensitive, fly-on-the-wall stance with her mature and emotional, i.e. way beyond his youth- work. She was also given unprecedented access ful years. The band achieved much success with to rare, archive material. Sunnyboys’ trainspotters their eponymous debut but failed to back this up will enjoy watching the old home movies from the on their two follow-up records (the former due to Oxley family and listening to audio of Jeremy at age production issues while the latter was marred by 11 speaking on a cassette tape. the overblown excesses typical with that period).

The Sunnyboy is one complex and powerful tale SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 But despite these roadblocks the group’s live of redemption. Its many interwoven facets are following increased and pressures mounted. But reflective of the crowded and often chaotic brain of the junior Oxley was floundering. His alcohol intake its genius star. Oxley is no angel but he’s got one had spiralled out of control because he was self- interesting life story and his exuberant personality medicating in order to deal with the voices he heard makes for compelling, if not exhausting, viewing. in his head as a result of his paranoid schizophrenia. The group disbanded and the members went on http://www.theaureview.com/review/ to work on other musical projects, among other sydney-film-festival-the-sunnyboy-australia-2013 14 Other interesting reviews of the film can • IMDb, the movie database website, is About The Sunnyboys be found at and html>. References and Richard Guilliatt’s 2004 article about Read reviews of the 2013 concert at the Resources The Sunnyboys for the Sydney Sydney Opera House at including schizophrenia be interviewed at this time but the and at . factsheets-podcasts/187 rockhampton-apartment-articles/ The Sunnyboys concert in Coolangatta -schizophrenia/ 2004/9/11/lost-chord/> in May was also enthusiastically http://www.psychology.org.au/ Watch a six-minute video of a story reviewed at . tary where Denton talks with young • While most reviews of the film stress illnesses, including schizophrenia. An article about the Sunnyboys return to its sensitive exploration of mental -sunshine-in-20130530-2ncnu.html> The Sunnyboy? To watch the extended versions of • Who do you think is the most likely the interviews in this program visit the (Endnotes) audience for this film? Angels and Demons website 1 http://www.sane.org/information/ • Do you think the film would be well re- Crisis phone lines for people feeling dis- factsheets-podcasts/187 ceived by audiences outside Australia, tressed and needing to talk to some- -schizophrenia where The Sunnyboys are best one about their feelings known? What are the film’s qualities LIFELINE 131114 that transcend its country of origin? SANE 1800 187263

This study guide was produced by ATOM. (© ATOM 2013) ISBN: 978-1-74295-356-4 [email protected] For information on SCREEN EDUCATION magazine, or to download other study guides for assessment, visit . SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2013 Join ATOM’s email broadcast list for invitations to free screenings, conferences, seminars, etc. Sign up now at . For hundreds of articles on Film as Text, Screen Literacy, Multiliteracy and Media Studies, visit .

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