PARER’S WAR

Australia, 2014, 97 minutes, Colour.
Matthew le Nevez, Adelaide Clemens, Leon Ford, Alexander England, Rob Carlton, Nicholas Bell.
Directed by Alister Grierson.

Parer’s War is a portrait of the war activity years of celebrated cinematographer, Damien Parer. Parer had worked in the Middle East and North Africa in the early years of World War II, and was recalled back to Australia to work in the Pacific. His first assignments were in Papua New Guinea, following the Australian troops at Kokoda and along the track, filming them in action, filming the jungle where the Japanese concealed themselves, filming the locals, the Fuzzy Wuzzy angels, carrying the wounded to safety.

This material was brought to Sydney and edited in the Cinesound Studios, under the direction of Ken G. Hall, celebrated director of many feature films during the 1930s. Parer himself was invited to speak straight to camera explaining the situation to the Australian audiences. He returned to Papua New Guinea, had difficulties with a broken camera, but brought back more material which was incorporated into a documentary, Kokoda Frontline, which won an Academy Award in 1943.

The film also shows his friendship with broadcaster, Chester Wilmot, the photographer Max Dupain, poet Kenneth Slessor, as well as his cautious relationship with Marie who ultimately, taking charge of his making decisions, became his wife. Parer was killed in action on the island of Palau.
Matthew le Nevez is a convincing Parer. Alexander England is Chester Wilmot and Leon Ford is his friend, Ron. Adelaide Clemens plays Marie. Nicolas Bell is the head of the propaganda office, antagonistic towards Parer. Rob Carlton is Hall. The film was directed by Alister Grierson who also directed the film about the Australian troops in public New Guinea, Kokoda.

A fuller portrait of Damien Parer was made for the bicentenary year, 1988, Fragments of War: the Damien Parer Story, by John Duigan.

1. Damien Parer and his reputation, achievement, photography, war propaganda? His Oscar?

2. Audience knowledge of Parer? This film as informative? A tribute?

3. The title, the focus on war, presupposing his activity in North Africa, the concentration on his work in the Pacific?

4. The locations, Papua New Guinea, the Kokoda track, the mountains, water, jungle vegetation? The transition to the Pacific and to Palau?

5. Incorporating the vintage footage? The modern versions of the original footage? Kokoda Frontline? The screenings? The re-creation of Parer’s talking to the audience?

6. Damien Parer as a person, his age, his photography, his work in the war, North Africa, Papua New Guinea, the impositions of the Department, the clashes with the authorities? Eccentric, moods? The range of experience? The friendship with Chester Wilmot? With Ron? With Max Dupain? His friendship with Marie, the ups and downs of the relationship, friendship, talking, clashing, awkwardness? His gawky manner? The distance from Marie? The time away from her?

7. Seeing Parer at work in Papua New Guinea, the atmosphere, Kokoda, the Australian troops, the Japanese and their concealment, in action, strategy and tactics, deaths and the wounded, the Papua New Guinean carriers? His being able to move in and out, trying to help the wounded? His films?

8. The picture of the men in New Guinea, the squads, working together, the missions and dangers?

9. Damien in Australia, with his film, Ken Hall and his reputation, his films, newsreels? Watching in the theaterette? The editing? Introducing other
material? Damien and his speaking to camera? The many takes? His watching, embarrassment, leaving the theatre, the success, people talking congratulating him? Marie seeing it? The aftermath, the parties?

10. Damien and his friendships, Chester Wilmot and his radio work, serious? Ron, the personal touch, with Marie? Max Dupain and his photos?

11. Going back to New Guinea, continuing with the filming, the breaking of the camera, the fixing it? Bringing home the material? Further editing? Kokoda Frontline? The Oscar? The superior in the Department, mean-minded, treatment of Damien, his comments about the Oscar?

12. Marie, seeing her, the dancing, Ron and his urging Marie to take charge, Damien’s response?

13. Damien religious dimensions of his life, his Catholicism, saying his prayers in the tent, the church, the discussions with the priest, the wedding ceremony?

14. The happy honeymoon, Marie and her pregnancy?

15. Damien, being employed by the Americans, the Australian reaction? In Micronesia, Palau? His death?

16. The historical background, the Australian war effort, the Australian command, the role of General Mac Arthur, Australia and the war effort? As background to this portrait of Parer?