BROTHERS

Australia, 1982, 103 minutes, Colour.
Chad Hayward, Ivar Kants, Alyson Best, Roger Ward, Ricky May.
Directed by Terry Bourke.

Brothers, written and directed by Terry Bourke (Inn of the Damned, Night of Fear, Plug, Little Boy Lost, Lady Stay Dead) begins promisingly but eventually falls rather flat.

The film is of the genre focusing on newspaper correspondents and photographers experiencing war. The first 15 minutes, with its re-creation of East Timor in 1975, is quite effective. The plot then returns the characters to New Zealand and involves them in romance, violence, misunderstood relationships. While the scenery is excellent, the dramatics are not particularly interesting. The film has quite a good cast led by Ivar Kants and Chard Hayward. Singer Ricky May is introduced.

However, the film is another of Terry Bourke's poor feature films.

1. Interest in themes? Treatment? An enjoyable film?

2. The re-creation of East Timor 1975? Special effects, stunt work? New Zealand locations, New Zealand life, towns and cities? Musical score?

3. The focus of the title, the emphasis on the relationship between Kevin and Alan? Interest, themes, development? The opening disclaimer that the incidents were not based on real characters? The fact of Australian journalists being killed in East Timor in 1975? The role of Indonesia, the role of Australia, the Timorese, Fretilin? International attitudes towards East Timor? Subsequently? The film's re-creation of the atmosphere of battle, raids? The journalists and their presence, covering the war, fears, dangers? The Indonesians and their attack, executions? A quick evocation of the reality of East Timor?

4. The New Zealand story - pedestrian material, pedestrian treatment? Life in the small town, the outsider coming to disturb, emotional relationships, marriage, the girl with the reputation in town, the move to the city, double-dealing, clashes? Respectable values, religious stances, clashes? The falling out of brothers?

5. The sketch of Kevin and Alan? Alan and his need for adventure, his reputation, his winning awards? Relationship with women? Return to the town? The clash with Kevin's fiancee's family? His being the odd man out in the town? Trying to settle in? Janine and the relationship? The liaison and his betrayal of Janine? The clash between the two brothers? The fight to resolve their differences and their relationship? Kevin and his skill at work, his return to New Zealand, professional work, his skill as a photographer, avoiding memories of the war? Fiancee, family, respectability? His dislike for Alan? Love for him? The fight? The New Zealand lifestyle, morals, respectability? The proper family and their severe attitudes towards Alan? The fiancee? The parents? Their hold over Kevin? Their spurning of people who did not share their respectable values? Churchgoing? The attack on their double standards and hypocrisies? Kevin fitting into this family?

6. Janine and her mother? Reputation? Liaison with Alan? A possibility of redemption? The city, her leaving? Return and catching Alan with his girlfriend? Disillusionment? Violence? The repercussions on Alan? The range of supporting characters - the personalities in the town and their stances? The media personalities? Alan's girlfriend?

10. The themes of journalists and their professional life and private life? Repercussions of war? New Zealand society and its standards?