EIGHT BALL

Australia, 1991, 90 minutes, Colour.
Matthew Cargher, Angie Milliken, Paul Stevens, Frankie J. Holden.
Directed by Ray Argall.
Eight Ball is a film by award-winning cinematographer, Ray Argall. He had previously made Return Home, with Frankie J. Holden and won several AFI awards. Like this film, Eight Ball is a story about ordinary people: a young man, an ex-prisoner, his son, the women who love the men.
The focus of the film is the building of a giant fish, the tourist attraction, Murray Cod, near the Victorian town of Swan Hill. The film has a strong humanity, serious themes, but a light, sometimes humorous, touch.

1. An interesting Australian film? Naturalistic? Real? The focus on ordinary people? Their situations? Interactions?
2. The Melbourne settings, the contrast with Swan Hill and the Victorian countryside? Authentic feel? The musical score?
3. The title, pool, play, the sinking of the ball? Winning? Russell’s story?
4. Russell and the tattoo, Alice, the military, Charlie, the dance, the skinheads, friendship, steam, the police?
5. Russell and his time in prison, the relationship with Jacqui, with Dougie, the bonds, at home, parole, work, CES, the outing, skating, tensions? Swan Hill, charm, the job, the group, information? Pool and the bonding, talking and not talking? The phone? The gift? Dougie and running away? Charlie, Bendigo? The police, waiting, the reconciliation? Jacqui, Dougie, telling the story? The future and potential?
6. Jacquie, care, the house, worry and concern?
7. Dougie, his age, school, bonds, skating? His father, the parole? The bus, lost? The police? Running, the town, the meeting?
8. Charlie and his character, Julie, the bond? Television? Love? The job?
9. The giant fish? The proposal to build it? Linked with concern for species and the environment?
10. Building the fish, the detail, success, hopes?
11. The friendship between Charlie and Mal, working together? Concern about Dougie?
12. Australian story, mates, unlikely friendships, family, love, support?