ROOM TO MOVE

Australia, 1985, 50 minutes, Colour.
Nicole Kidman, Terence Donovan.
Directed by John Duigan.

Room to Move is one of the Winners series, a group of eight children's movies sponsored by the Australian Children's Television Council. The film was written and directed by John Duigan (Mouth to Mouth, Winter of Our Dreams, Far East, One Night Stand). It is the most naturalistic of the series, focusing on a teenage girl in Sydney's suburban Matraville, her skill at sports, her friendship with an outsider, her interest in jazz ballet, her decision about her future. The film is interesting in its presentation of suburban life, homes, school. Nicole Kidman is very good in the central role as Carol, as is Alyssa as her punk-friend. There is a strong supporting cast led by Terence Donovan as her father.

1. The impact of the Winners series? Television for children? The focus on success and achievement - on a personal level?

2. Sydney locations, Matraville, homes, school, sports fields, hamburger places, theatre? The naturalistic style?

3. The title and its focus on Carol and her decision-making? Possibilities?

4. Suburban family life, mother and father, sister, meals, homework, discussions? School, classes, sport? Jazz ballet? The hamburger place, 'The Armpit'? Musical score to back this atmosphere?

5. The portrait of Carol: the early morning training, details of home life, her presence in class, study? Her training at school, achievement in races? Her father and his athletics background, books and videos, his own career, hopes for his daughter? The support of her mother? Tangles with her sister? Friendship with Angela, her sympathy for Angela's treatment at school? The discovery of the jazz ballet? The opening of her horizons? Going to The Armpit with Angela, meeting her friends? The dance with the owner? The-outing to the theatre, the pretence, the sympathetic dancer? The encounter with the police? Angela's father and his help? The snide remarks of the teacher in class, Angela's crisis, her leaving to go and help her? Her not doing sufficient training? Coming second in the important race? The choice to do jazz ballet as well as enjoy athletics? The support of her family? Portrait of a winner?

6. Comparisons with Angela: her appearance in class, punk style and the kids' criticisms, the school administration and their attitudes? Friendship with Carol? Home life, father and drinking, friends, television watching? Noise? music? Ridicule of the kids,-the loner? Carol giving her a lift? Studying with her, the visit to Carol's family? Her work at The Armpit? The jazz ballet and her skills, Carol's admiration? Their going to the theatre, pretending to be related to the dancer? Their enjoyment of the show? The police picking them up and bringing them home? Angela's crisis, her mother? Her being ridiculed at school, leaving the class? Carol's support? Her supporting Carol in her running? Friendship?

7. Father and his talent, video, books, training, watching his daughter, demanding her full-time training? Disappointment? Watching her come second? Agreeing to her decision?

8. The sketch of her mother, sister and her arguing with her, friendship and love?

9. Angela's father, the break-up of the marriage, the absent mother? His going for jobs? Friends, drinking, television? Concern about Angela?

10. The teachers: sympathetic, Mrs MacCready? and her attacks on Angela, the coach, the discussion about the need for effort, the scouts from the Sports Institute?

11. The sketch of kids at school, friendships, cruelty?

12. The theme of Australian sport, training, dedication, achievement? The idolising of sport? The need for room to move?

13. Dance and its place in Australian culture? Dance and sport and their effort? Achievement?

14. Themes of tolerance, understanding, friendship, choices, room to move?