NIGHTHAWKS

UK, 1978, 113, Colour.
Ken Robertson, Tony Westrope.
Directed by Ron Peck.

Nighthawks is a British film about the homosexual subculture in London. It focuses on a teacher, Jim, and his work as well as his search for relationships. These are generally of a temporary and fleeting nature, contacts made in gay clubs. The film is a glimpse of a portion of the homosexual minority and is presented sympathetically. Ken Robertson as Jim is the only professional actor.

The cast comprises homosexuals who are trying to present their case sympathetically for the wide audience. Jim is set in the teaching world (although one wonders about his methods and communication with his class) ? he has opportunity to discuss his situation with a sympathetic teacher. There is a climax in the classroom when the children in the class ask him direct questions and discuss the issue of homosexuality. The film is a partial glimpse of the world. It is not presented sensationally - in fact the repetition is somewhat monotonous. However, it illustrates how an attempt can be made to present a point of view for consideration.

1. The film as didactic, entertaining? The homosexual point of view presented sympathetically for a broad audience? The contribution of the cast, professional, amateur? The colour photography, sound, music?

2. The British atmosphere of the film, its style and tone? The world of London and the emphasis on the gay bars and clubs? The portrait of London itself and its streets, schools, homes, art shows etc? Could audiences identify it as a real world? The contrast with the use of colour, light and shadow for Jim's world? The emphasis on the techniques of close-ups and long continuous takes? The colour photography, sound?

3. The screenplay and its presentation of a slice of life? Audiences identifying with Jim? Understanding him, his situation, way of life, problems? The atmosphere of a minority world? Immersing the audience in that world, helping the audience be with the persons, understanding, sympathy? The contrast with the monotony and prolongation and repetition of the sequences?

4. Jim as hero, the initial presentation of him at the club, his relationships with people? His way of speaking ? the improvised style dialogue? An authentic hero for this kind of film? The presentation of the bars and the attempts at meeting, pick-up? Jim and the various relationships with the men picked up? His loneliness. promiscuity? Temporary relationships? A loner, needing some kind of support but wanting to be by himself? The sequences with Jim and his teaching, his professional skills or not, preparation? The issues of geography and local government? The friendship with Judy and getting to know her better, the outings, the meals, talk, visit to her home? The contrast of her way of life? The other teachers? Jim and his moods, outings, dances? The long talk and opening up with Judy ? and the audience seeing her surprised reaction and yet her coping with the situation? The ultimate confrontation by the class, the openness of the discussion and the frankness of his answers? The possibility of dismissal? How real as a character. person, issues?

5. The world of the clubs? the disco music, the continual return to the disco dancing places, the men and their dancing, the men standing in rows, eying one another off, the contacts? The contrast with the restaurants and the dinner dates etc.? Jim in this situation, the contrast with him at home? The final visit to the art exhibition and the party?

6. The range of men and their stories? The man going overseas, the man from Manchester, the radio technician, the student, the American in the airways office etc? The casual encounters and friendships in the bars? The excuses made for breaking off the relationship? Jim and his driving his companions away after the night? The fickle attitudes of so many of the men? The presentation of dating and its use?


7. The emotional issues? The nature of homosexual attraction, relationships? Physical contact, love? The impact of the visual presentation of this for the audience?

8. The film's characterisation of Judy ? her explanation of herself, her family, her work at the school, listening to Jim, inviting him home, the various helps she gave, inviting him to the dance, his drinking, clashing with her and the car ride, his loneliness and her support of him?

9. The staff at the school and the common-room talk, the kids and their reaction? The questions and the points made?

10. A world within a world, a sympathetic presentation of a minority, an oppressed group? The need for talk and clarity of issues? Rights, opinions? Moral issues? The success of the film as a didactic entertainment?