The Castle Australian Identity example essay topic

Australia has the terrible condition of having an essentially pointless and prefabricated idea of "Aussi ness" that really has no relation to our real culture or the way in which we really see ourselves. We, however subscribe to these stereotypes when trying to find some expression of our Australian identity. The feature film, The Castle, deals with issues about Australian identity in the 1990's. The film uses techniques like camera shots, language and the use of narration to develop conflict between a decent, old fashioned suburban family, the Kerrigans and an unscrupulous corporation called Airlink. Feature films like The Castle are cultural products because they use attitudes, values and stereotypes about what it means to be Australian. The suburban house, as the film's setting and sphere of action, is extraordinary partly because it is 'next-door' to an airport.

The odd layout of this backyard is underlined because their suburb meets the kind of architectural cast-offs often found at the margins of big cities. This mix of the humble backyard with the international vectors of travel, tourism and international trade plays out in the film's narrative which connects the domestic and the distant. The Castle displays many locations and landscapes easily identified as being unique of Australia- The 'Aussy' barbecue and patio setup, greyhound racetrack and poolroom, just to name a few. The neighbours of the Kerrigan's are a symbol representing the multicultural diversity of Australia. The family's loss of authority over domestic space is linked with other struggles over land ownership. Most strikingly, The Castle places the Kerrigan's fight to save their house on the same page as Aboriginal struggles for land rights.

The film explicitly creates a relationship between their claim to the suburban house as a sacred site (invested with memories, stories and connections to place). In The Castle, attitudes and values towards belongings has been developed through the use of camera angles and shots. On many occasions during the film, a shot of the front of the house is shown, usually during change of scenes. This use of camera angles represents the house as an important belonging to the Kerrigans, the owners of the home.

I think the most central message about Australia being presented in this movie is to do with family values. The Kerrigans are the perfect representation of the traditional Australian family. They are a family, which eats dinner together at the same time every night, with Darryl, unfailingly complementing Sal on her cooking. They love each other and respect each other, and even though Wayne is in jail for armed robbery they are all as proud of him as each other. Language features are an important aspect of The Castle and assist in the portrayal of Australian culture and identity.

Darryl's discourse is one of a true blue, typical Australian. Even in the highest court of Australia Darryl doesn't dilute the jargon used by someone of his discursive background, as shown here. Throughout the film we see the closeness of the Kerrigans. You find that quite frequently in the film there is a shot of either all the family together or just simply off the family picture. This shows the closeness and love of the family and is an example of Australian's close family bonds. The director's viewpoint on the world is a combination of political, economical and social ideologies.

He shows large corporations as ruthless and selfish in the pursuit of their materialistic perfection. At the other end of the scale you have your average family standing up indignantly against the onslaught of the legal storm. Not letting the valorize d, significant other walk all over them- A true David and Goliath theme. The main conflict in the story is produced through the marginalization of the Kerrigans by the corporation Airlink. The aspect of the big businessmen being portrayed as snobbish and cold hearted has been fore grounded, with the purpose of influencing the audience in favour of the family's cause. The conflict is driven by the binary opposition and dynamics of these two socially and economically opposite parties.

In recent years, our presence has become more obvious in film. Our actors have been given the highest praise possible with nominations for an Oscar, as well as the behind the scenes people for their work. To the critics, standing up along side the hard to obtain gold statuettes means we are 'up there' with the cr'e me of the crop. They have something to measure our greatness by and pass judgment on. Australia can stand tall with pride; after all, Oscar's aren't just given to anyone. You have to be someone to be worthy of an Oscar.

If this is the highest accolade, then Australian films and all those associated with them have proven their quality is right alongside those of Hollywood.