SAILING TO BROOKLYN

Australia, 1980, 50 minutes.
Directed by Ken Cameron.

Sailing To Brooklyn is an interesting short film. It serves as a preparation and outline for Ken Cameron's later Temperament Unsuited. He draws on his background as a teacher for sketching this story of teacher and interaction with a young girl. There is an atmosphere of realism as well as symbols used for the significance of education in Australia today - and its effect on teacher and pupil.

1. The quality of the film as a short feature, experimental work? The focus on the techniques - a first film? Its preparation for Temperament Unsuited and relationship in terms of technique, themes?

2. The film's view of the education system: the schools and their environment, classes and classrooms, syllabus and texts, the P.A. system, the common room and facilities for teachers? Interest of teachers in their work, preparation? The children and their interest in what was being taught? Its relationship to life situations? The variety of teachers' attitudes? Art, history, literature?

3. The teacher's life - the young teacher and how , work? Personal needs? The teachers in action? Amongst themselves? Discussions of the kids? Young male teachers and the older schoolgirls?

4. The background of the children - home, peers, discussions, attitudes towards the teachers, crushes and relationships? Parents?

5. How well delineated was Paul as a character? Sufficient given? At home, in the classroom, his attitude towards his work? Giving a lift to Sandra? The later revealing of the liaison? His attitude towards her parents? The reaction of the other teachers? Professional relationship and personal relationship?

6. Sandra as a typical high school girl? The lift with Paul, the cup of coffee at home, the boyfriend at the door, her parents? The weekend and the sexual liaison? The effect on her for her class work, education, life?

7. The emphasis given to the classes, driving how, the lift, coffee? The proposal about sailing to Brooklyn? The visualising of the sex scenes - the bath? The ending and its inconclusiveness?

8. The sketching in of the other teachers - representing points of view?

9. Symbolic use of clothes, homes and rooms, books, eating, hair?

10. Themes of education - for what? Systems? Training? Career? Needs, relationships? Education and personal responsibilities? Sexuality?