Australian Films - Screening Responces

During the World War II era, the outlook on the role of women in Australian society revolutionised. As a majority of men were at war, Australian women were encouraged to rise above and beyond their stereotypical ‘housewife’ status. They were required to take on the tasks that were once considered predominantly male roles, and also allowed the opportunity to join the armed services as well as enlist in the Women’s Land Army. Many women who doubted their abilities played their part by entering voluntary work. Women had the privilege of contributing in Australian society in many ways that they had never been able before. Thus, it is manifest that the role of women in Australian society had drastically changed.

The pub scene in the Australian Outback helped me understand the consequences of prejudice through the combination of dialogue and cinematography. These film features shows the unfair treatment that Aborigines endured because of their race. The mid shots showed how the white Australian audience at the pub Talent Quest ignore the two Aborigine sisters as they began to sin. A panning shot showed the audience’s disapproving and disgusted looks as they avoided eye contact with the sisters. Clearly contrasting with the warm and enthusiastic cheers given to the white Australian performers before them, as also shown in a panning shot. Noticing the coldness of the crowd, Gail says, “Thanks for the half-heart applause.” The dialogue and camera shots clearly outlined the difference in treatment between Aborigines and White Australians in Australia. This clearly shows the inequality between the two races, as Aborigines were clearly mistreated based on their appearance. At the end of the Talent Quest, after the White Australian performer

Before World War 2 commenced, women 's roles in Australia were extremely different to now. The Australian government believed that women were not needed to perform in any sort of military service, however, once the war began it was thought otherwise (Ergo.slv.vic.gov.au, 2015). The roles of women changed significantly during this time, specifically around the 1940 's. The social, political, and economic rights for Australian women were all major changes made during this period of time (Awm.gov.au, 2015). This essay focuses on the role of women before and after these changes occurred, also the affect this made to society.

“Women’s roles in Australia changed dramatically during World War Two.” During World War Two the daily routine roles of women changed dramatically. World War Two changed women’s roles radically as fathers left brand new families to fight in the war. Furthermore women’s roles changed as many new job opportunities were made available and the labour market rapidly increased. Both of these were part of how women’s roles changed as they gained a large amount of independence.

This source depicts many important events in the development of feminism in Australia. It demonstrates the progress of feminist movements and the achievements feminists attained. It answers multiple focus questions furthering its relevance to the topic.

World War II was a significant time of change for everyone affected by it. The lack of men in Australia had women’s employment skyrocketing. The shortage of factory workers was a thorn in the side of the military, as well as the increasing number of positions that needed filling in military based organisations. This change continued after the war as women’s working rights was made equal to men’s. Australian women were liberated to a large extent during WWII because of being allowed to take up jobs, enlist in the army, bringing further liberation after WWII.

Australian film and text have for years supported and broadcasted negative and inferior stereotypes of women. Criticising, embellishing, and mocking women’s behaviour, personalities, occupations and appearance. These stereotypes were heavily reinforced into the minds of the public and influenced their thoughts and actions. However these are gradually changing through the portrayal of women in a more positive way utilizing different film techniques and modern storylines. Traditionally women are portrayed as mothers and home carers and not as equal as men, mainly through the story lines, dialogue and music.

The perception of masculinity within Australian films is a reflection of our society’s views and opinions of what it is to be considered masculine. It is continually reinforced in our society by the constructions of the male character in movies, just like Archie and Frank, in Gallipoli and particular male figures within our nation’s history, such as Ned Kelly. Peter Weir’s reflection of masculinity through the use of his two main characters Archie and Frank, in his 1981 film Gallipoli, helped to perpetuate this construction of the Aussie male stereotype

Australia has had many national identities in its existence; the most noticeable of these being the Bush discourse, the battler discourse, the Convict discourse and the Larrikin discourse. Russel Ward utilises these discourses in his book, “The Australian Legend”. He explains that the typical Australian is a practical man, tough who drinks heavily. A. B. Facey is a classic example of a typical Australian, although he does not fit in with all of the aspects of Ward’s construction.

World War Two (WW2) broke out in 1939 and would have great effect on the Australian Home Front. The impact was particularly felt by women and their role in society changed to a significant extent. These changes are clearly evident from many factors that took place during the course of the war although, the most significant changes were due to the introduction of women to the predominantly male orientated workforce, fashion change and restrictions and the ‘friendly invasion’ of the American troops. Through identifying these changes it is clear to see how the role and perception of Australian women was completely changed.

Good morning Ms Angrisano and my fellow students. Today I will be speaking to you about the changing nature of the Australian television industry from 1950’s to 2010. Television was introduced in Australia around 1956. It was popular to the extent that within a few years it was the main source of entertainment. This effected the way Australians live. They began staying at home more rather than going to the movies or going to play sports. America played a big part on this as it was our main influence. Australia enjoyed their shows, fashion, values and latest trends. Just like America influencing Australia, Australia also impacted on countries worldwide. Australia was no longer an isolated island, Television has joined a gap between Australia and other countries this was done through staying up to date and getting in with new trends. Since television has increased popularity

Awarded for the Best Original Screenplay and Best Film at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) ceremony, director Jennifer Kent brings to life a unique form of horror in her psychological thriller film, The Babadook. The film focuses on a mother and her child as they go through a dark period of their lives. The mother, whose name is Amelia, lost her husband in a car crash when they were on the way to the hospital for her to give birth to her son, Samuel. Due to the death of her husband, Amelia battles with the anxiety of raising Samuel as a single mother. Just like any child, Samuel has a perpetual fear of monsters which causes him to react violently. This reaction causes a great deal of stress for Amelia, and because of his behavior towards the monsters, friends and family are distant from the two. When she thought it could not get any worse, they find a mysterious book in the house and begin reading it. The book discusses a creature called the Babadook or Mr. Babadook who, if you deny him, will become stronger and eventually consume you from the inside out. Terrified and unsure of what to do, Amelia attempts to get rid of the book, but it somehow reappears.

Australians have a very distinctive humour which could be labelled “black humour”. We can see it in many films, for instance “Crocodile Dundee (1986), Kath and Kimderella 2012 and the castle (1997). Even films about subjects regarded as serious, such as Gallipoli (1981) still manage to depict the typical Australian as a larrikin, always out for a joke. We use humour as a way of coping, and as an act of defiance against authority These films are all good examples of pure Australian humour, which poke fun at everything but the joke is mainly directed towards ourselves. Humour has helped to shape our identity and character; it has influenced how Australians feel about themselves and the way we interact with others. A good mate is one you can share a joke with, and it is indeed considered a mark of respect to be made the butt of someone else’s

Throughout Australian history a racist attitude towards Aboriginals has been a significant issue. The instant the early settlers arrived on our shores and colonised, the Aboriginals have been fighting for the survival of their culture. The Aboriginals haven been assimilated, subjugated and marginalized to bring them in line with an idealistic European society. These themes have been put forward by Jack Davis in his stage play, No Sugar, the story of an Aboriginal family’s fight for survival during the Great Depression years. In communicating the racist and hostile attitudes of the dominant white ideology towards, for example, discrimination and assimilation, Davis constructs characters, which are continuously under fire and in opposition

The study of national cinema and the way in which its defined has been a topic of discussion that many scholars have debated. Stephen Crofts ‘Concepts of National Cinema,’ Susan Hayward’s ‘Reframing National Cinema’ and Andrew Higson’s ‘Limiting the imagination of National Cinema’ attempt to define the tricky boundaries of what the term national cinema means and the impacts it has on the way in which audiences perceive these types of films.