VACANT POSSESSION

Australia, 1995, 95 minutes, Colour.
Pamela Rabe, John Stanton.
Directed by Margot Nash.

Vacant Possession received very limited release, but it is a quietly effective Australian film, written and directed by Margot Nash and movingly acted by Pamela Rabe.

The setting is Botany Bay. A woman returns from overseas after being ousted by her alcoholic father (John Stanton) as a teenager. Her mother has died and she feels the need to go back to her roots and be reconciled with her family.
The Botany Bay setting introduces aboriginal characters and themes. One commentator says that Margot Nash has taken us into the Australian psyche, especially the female psyche, and
probes both routine and profound experiences.

1. A small-budget Australian feature? A successful specialised film? First feature?

2. The title, the focus on the family house and its ownership, the empty house, the decision for selling, potential buyers? The Aborigines and their interest in the house? The house and the title of the film as a symbol of its themes?

3. The Botany Bay settings, Kurnell? The background of Captain Cook and his landing? The bay and its botany? The mangroves? 20th century industry? The Sydney skyline in the distance? The houses and those who lived there, Aborigines, white settlers, European migrants? The appropriate setting for such exploration of themes?

4. The colour photography, the style of presenting the present, the flashbacks? Colours and filters? The filming of Botany Bay, of the city of Sydney, of the suburb and its industry, the bush? The homes? The style for Tessa's dreams? The storm sequence? The range and tone of the musical score, classic, modern, evocative of periods? Songs?

5. The film's focus on Tessa - seeing her away from home, the phone call, concern about her mother, Kate? Her return - and the motif of planes taking off and landing from Mascot, near Botany Bay? Her mother's death and its effect? Her returning home in mid-life after being so long away? The style of Pamela Rabe's performance and the quality of her screen presence?

6. The relationship between the two sisters? Love/hate? Kate meeting Tessa at the airport, the awkwardness of their conversation, discussion about her return and absence, their mother's death? Kate and her relationship with Harry, his gambling? Their relationship with their mother? Calling in to their father's house and Tessa's anger? Going to Kate's home, trying to settle in, awkward, the discussions about the will and her wanting to find the new will? The discussions about Kate's need for money and Tessa's hoping to have something to start with? The two sisters in their memories, the dominance of their father, his irascible moods and their fears, Kate protecting Tessa? Their mother and her support?

7. Tessa's tension at Kate's, the jetlag, her anger, the discussions about the will? Her going back to the family house? Its symbolic name: Irene (peace)? The memories of the house and its changes over the decades? Her staying in the house, setting herself up, cleaning the fridge - and the consequent noises? Fears of intruders and her putting planks against the windows? Getting a plank to defend herself, being prepared? Her sleeping and her sleeplessness? The symbolism of her dreams, water, swimming? The symbol of the unconscious?

8. Meeting Aunt Beryl? Millie and her intrusion, searching for the cat (and his name Captain Cook because he came uninvited and wouldn't go away)? The arrival of her Aboriginal friend, his coming into the house thinking the family was still there, her apprehension, her realisation, friendly, asking him about Mitch, hearing the story of Mitch's life after her leaving Australia, Mitch's alcoholism, prison and death? Her being able to go to Auntie Beryl? Going to the room, lying down? The Aboriginal family at the pictures, their return home and their talking about buying the house, Tessa pretending not to hear? Her being at home at Auntie Beryl's house?

9. The impact of the flashback, Tessa as a young girl, her love for her father, his birthday present and her inadvertent comment about the colour of the settee and his rage? Her not knowing how to appreciate him? Her growing up, going out, her friendship with Mitch, the sexual liaison, her father's violent reaction, the attack on Mitch, the court case, prison, her leaving home? The sequence of her farewell to her mother, leaving in the night? The long life away from Australia, her becoming a professional gambler - and the symbolism of her being a wanderer around the world? The later scene of her playing cards during the storm with Millie and Frank?

10. The portrait of Tessa's mother, her Tivoli background, glamour, the photos and the memories? Going through the photos with Kate and their reminiscences? The house, her papers? The discovery of the will in the ice in the ice chest? Their mother with Frank, the harshness of her experience, her love for her husband, the separation, her death? Her appearing in Tessa's visions, a symbol of love and reconciliation? The intermingling of sequences of Tessa as adult, Tessa as child - with her mother?

11. Frank and his story, the experience of the war, after the war, his harshness, drinking? His scientific background and his work? Appearing in Tessa's imagination as a frightening figure? Her hatred of her father? Not wanting to be at his home? His being in hospital? His coming to visit, being different and older, wondering what she would look like? Talking with Millie, the meal? His emotional outburst and trying to understand the past, not wanting to blame himself for the tragedy? The discussions with Millie, helping her with her homework? Frank as a haunting figure for Tessa?

12. The aftermath of the storm, the discussions with Kate, the possibilities of reconciliation with her and with Frank?

13. The realism and the symbolism of the storm? Its power, hiding in the cellar, the house standing, collapsing? Their fears? Millie and her being injured? Their being rescued, Frank and his care for Millie and the ambulance? The storm and its aftermath as a purging for reconciliation?

14. The film's understanding of Aborigines, their heritage, their sense of place, in the modern day world, their perceptions of white people, rights?

15. The film's understanding of Australian families, love, tensions, failures, hurt, hate, reconciliation?

16. An Australian exploration of themes of love, acceptance and reconciliation?