STORK
Australia, 1971, 90 minutes, Colour.
Bruce Spence, Graeme Blundell, Sean Mc Euan, Helmut Kakaitis, Jackie Weaver.
Directed by Tim Burstall.
Stork was released in 1971 on the eve of the important 70s renaissance in the Australian film industry. Shot in 16mm, it shows signs of small budget and lacks the sophistication of so many of the films which were soon to come. It was based on a play by David Williamson who was to achieve are at fame as a noted Australian playwright. Films of his plays and original screenplays include The Family Man, in Libido, Petersen, The Removalists, Eliza Fraser. Tim Burstall was the director. He made 2000 Weeks and was to go on to make Alvin Purple, Petersen, Eliza Fraser and The Last of the Knucklemen. Bruce Spence was the star. The very tall actor is a noted stage actor and has appeared in small roles in films although he had prominence as the bridegroom in Dimboola. Jackie Weaver was the heroine. A noted actress on stage and television, she appeared in the film versions of Petersen and The Removalist. Stork is one of the first of the ocker comedies both presenting the so-called lovable aspects of the ocker as well as criticising and poking satiric fun at these images. It set the beginning of a series of ocker comedies which include Alvin Purple and Dimboola and was joined, of course, by the Barry Mc Kenzie films and Don’s Party.
1. The tone of the title? An entertaining film, interesting? Comedy, satire, Australian social observation?
2. An example of the Australian Film Industry 1971? Technical qualities? The acting, writing? The work of David Williamson and his subsequent career? Of local interest and concern? Impact on local audiences, overseas audiences?
3. The film's presentation of the ocker image? The intellectuals in inner city Melbourne, their pretensions, their mocking of these pretensions, the so-called Australian characteristics? The urban and Melbourne background reflecting Australia and the trends of the 60s and early 70s?
4. Quality of colour photography, locations? An authentic atmosphere? The psychedelic tones? The blend of realism and fantasy?
5. The film as a realistic comedy? Credible or not? The stage origins? A fantasy fable about a symbolic ocker character? The imagination and dreams of the ocker? The moralising about the ocker Australian? What did Stork himself represent, what did he communicate?
6. Stork as a character? Audience interest in him and identification? His look, manner of speaking, jargon? His overall impact on the audience? The range of his interests, lack of interests? His capacities? Serious outlook, flippant outlook? His sense of responsibility, irresponsibility? His critique of society, his jargon about the revolution? His own pretensions, his attack on the pretensions of others? Mateship, sex? Vulgarity and coarseness? Beer? How lovable an ocker?
7. The observations on his work situation and his leaving? General Motors, management? How sharply observed was the work situation and its personnel? Stork within this background? Stork's attitude towards art and the art critic? The discussion about dropping out? The film's critique of Stork and his actions?
8. Anna and her study at Monash? The film's presentation of Monash in realistic terms, satiric? The lecture and the satire? Stork and quotations, literate, artistic, etc. ?
9. The world of the arts in Melbourne? The disco. the sculptor? The art show? The discussion about the oyster and the oyster in his nose within this context?
10. The film's comments on Australian attitudes towards sex and sexuality? The menage of Anna and the two men? Helena and feminism? Discussions of virginity, pregnancy? motherhood? Anna and her pregnancy the responsibility and the reaction of the two men? Of Stork? The build-up to the wedding and its realistic and comic tones? The irony of the honeymoon with Stork?
11. The significance of Stork's fantasies eg. the bikie, the artist? what did they say about the other side of Stork's character and imagination, drive and yearnings?
12. The build-up to the wedding - comedy, farce? Sentiment and feeling?
13. How accurate the observation of people? The points made about Australian trends? The mimicry and mocking of Australia? To what purpose?
14. How accurately did the film reflect the times? How does it stand now? Highlighting the changes of attitude as well as the similarities in Australian society?
