Cirrus@Austlit

Since the 70s, the output of the Australian film industry has been prolific and exciting. This unit examines a number of key films, bearing witness to the energy, creativity and particular perspectives that Australian films present to national and international audiences. The position of a local industry and its cultural texts in an internationalised environment is crucial to understanding the operations of a global economy. It also gives an invaluable insight into Australian life & a unique example of a settler society in flux.

Aims

This unit aims to explore the diverse ways Australian films produce and circulate a range of significant discourses about Australia and the world. The unit aims to give international and domestic students valuable insights into Australian culture and cultural productions.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Understand the nature and societal role of films in the New Wave of Australian cinema since the 1970s.

2. Evaluate critically the way cultural discourses are constructed in various key films made by culturally diverse filmmakers.

3. Have a critical awareness of the place and significance of Australian film and the film industry, both within Australian society and internationally.

4. Apply the theoretical dimensions proposed by academic writers and manifested by the filmmakers.

Content

The unit addresses content such as: national identity, war, indigenous issues, multiculturalism, gender, family, location, sexualities, cultural discourses and theoretical dimensions, cinema as a local and cultural text.