QUEENSLAND

Australia, 1976, 57 minutes, Colour.
John Flaus.
Directed by John Ruane.

Queensland is a short feature by John Ruane, his first film. Made in the 1970s, it stars John Flaus, the media education lecturer who appeared as a character actor in many films.

While this film is set in Melbourne, it offers Queensland as a symbol of hopes, of another place where all hopes could be fulfilled. In the meantime, the film offers a gritty study of life in Melbourne, in the inner city. The film also offers glimpses of relationships – especially in the vein of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.

John Ruane was to go on to make three features in the 1990s: the black comedy Death in Brunswick, the adaptation of Tim Winton’s That Eye the Sky, and the romantic comedy, Dead Letter Office.

1. The impact of this short feature? The audience for which it was made? Student and experimental film? Award-winning film?

2. The use of Melbourne locations, authentic atmosphere, the drabness of the city, the 'desert' of the city? Sights, sounds, mood? musical score?

3. The pace of the film and its immersing audience in its atmosphere and feel? The editing and pace? The quality of observation, feel? The moral comment on life in the city, the experiences and behaviour of the central characters?

4. The significance of the title? Queensland as a reality, a symbol? The 'grass is greener' syndrome? Hearsay about Queensland: money available, jobs, warmth of climate, others going to Queensland? Queensland as an Australian mentality? The reality of Queensland in the mid-'70s? The symbol of the Australian dream - and so many never getting there, not even within a thousand miles of Queensland?

5. The atmosphere of realism: the opening with the factories and work, the inner city streets, pubs, homes and flats, the greyhound course, betting, cars? An atmosphere of realism - not contrived?

6. The importance of the Australian dream: opportunity, people trapped in their dreams, the possibility of freedom, the possibility of willing success to the dream and its fulfilment?

7. Melbourne and its look, work, concrete, drinking, beer, sleazy atmosphere? Visual images of urban Australia?

8. Work, monotony, temporary jobs, attitude of the workers, attitude towards bosses, bosses and supervisors, hopes?

9. Recreation and relaxation: talk, the pubs, drinking, exercise? Reading 'Truth'. changing hotels for drinks, the dogs and bets? Relationships, sex?

10. The importance of money - owing money. bets, talks. hopes, losing money, losing cars and paying off instalments etc.?

11. Themes of mateship - echoes of 'Of Mice and Men'? Men sharing dreams and supporting one another? Strength, advice, help in decisions? Comparisons of the two men? The relationship with Marge and sexuality? Friendships between men, relationships between men and women? Doug using his relationship to 'put it over' Marge?

12. Doug and his strength, work, drinking, billiards, home, clash with the boss, bets. threats, persuasion. Marge, the car, pushing the car up the street in the long final sequence? The end of the dream? Doug as a city Australian middle-aged man dreaming?

13. Aub and his exercise, weak, the realist, sharing vision with Doug, opting out?

14. Marge and the outing, drinks, chatting and enjoying the talk with Doug, relationship with Mike? The sketch of Mike - and comparisons with Doug and Aub? A woman within this male city environment?

15. The communication of environment: radio, advertising, talk about Queensland? The city and economic recession. depression?

16. Themes of hope, hopelessness and futility? Longing?