Australian Cultural Identity In Rob Sitch's Film 'The Castle'

Australia’s Identity plays an important part in the stereotypes identified in the film Beneath Clouds, (2002) directed by Ivan Sen presented through violence, racism and a less than adequate education. Through Drover 's Wife (1892) written by Henry Lawson characters are depicted through one mother 's hardships and the way she raises her family in the absence of her husband. Both Beneath Clouds and Drover’s Wife explore Australian identity and what makes it, along with the integral part of any culture in a diverse way.

By bringing up well known Australian icons and brands, the author involves himself with the audience.

Stenders continues to create an idealised representation of the Australian identity through his representation of conflict with authority. Conflict of authority is traditionally identified as an aspect of Australian identity when an authority figures is seen to be using power unfairly and in corrupt ways. Stenders is clearly drawing on the historical context of Australia as a penal settlement where mistreated convicts developed a hatred for authority figures that unnecessarily treated them with cruelty. Stenders uses the characters of the Cribbages, the caretakers of the caravan park to embody the notion of the corrupt misuse of power. This is evident in Stenders’ portrayal of them as intimidating and unreasonable in their response to Nancy keeping Red Dog in the park. Stenders positions us to participate in the disregard for authority through his negative representation suggested by their mug and arrogant facial expressions and abrasive tone in, “I don't care if he is the Queen’s bloody corgi.” We are further compelled to align our perspective of them with Nancy’s through the high angle point of view shot focalised through Nancy’s eyes which makes them appear small and powerless.

Australian people and culture are often stereotyped in the media in different forms, one of them being film. The two films being examined, ‘Red dog’ (2011) and the ‘Sapphires’ (2012), are an example of the Australian identity but from different points of view. ‘Red dog’ shows the kind and positive side which exemplifies mateship and loyalty. The film ‘Sapphires’ ,which takes place in the 1950’s through to the 1960’s, shows a negative and racist view towards the indigenous people. Both the films show different aspects of the Australian identity, not all insights of the films accurately represent contemporary Australian identity as the Australian identity has changed by the evolution of people and their lifestyle.

Growing up in Queensland, I am constantly surrounded by a culture founded by sport; children dreaming of what it would be like to be their sporting heroes. The truth is, culture is not defined by one thing, rather an array of things. Art and literature continues to be ignored and marginalised in today’s society. Although, this is what defines the individuality of the Australian identity.

Australian’s have a unique proud culture. This culture differentiates them from the British motherland. Through many decades Australia has formed a unique, which at its foundation is made from mateship. Mateship or friendship is the core of Australian identity as this was instilled into them through events such as war. WWII in particular demonstrates the level of mateship shown by Australians as many made the ultimate sacrifice in order to save a mate. The stories of ‘The Magic Pudding’ by Gary Crew & Shaun Tan and ‘Memorial’ by Norman Lindsay will demonstrate how mateship is a significant part of how Australians see

In today’s Australian society it has now become almost commonplace for us to question our beliefs and what it means to be an Australian. We have always turned to consider our cultural aspects and how they determine a strong Australian identity. The voice of a hot climate, the tone of the red sand, the indifference of man and woman and even the lifestyle of the Australian people all play important parts within our community. However to be an Australian is truly shaped by the kind acts of mateship that we possess within our relationships with friends and family. The mateship of society should not be affected by gender but really truly lie upon the relationships in our lives, which is why I have chosen Priscilla and Red Dog,

Australian film and television deal with such themes by accepting the reality of Australian contexts. The Australian demographic are known for their rough humour and approach, hence the depiction of an Australian man, or woman, can be taken lightly and not offensively. At the same time, film and television are careful in representing Indigenous Australian as opposed to stereotypical white Australians. It is these historical, political, socio-economic ideologies that shape Australia’s national ‘type’.

Australia is also seen through the contrast of Jim and Ashley’s cultures – Jim living in Australia all his life, and Ashley being educated in England. Ashley is seen as higher class than Jim, because Ashley owns land, received a better education, while Jim is working class, and was educated in a one room school. Ashley’s classical taste in music suggests an education, also.

A part of Australian identity shown in both the castle movie and homo suburbiensis by bruce dawe is the emotional connection with non-human or inanimate objects. In Dawe’s poem “homo suburbiensis” the man has raised a patch of vegetables and the poem is describing his relationship with the outdoors. “A man alone in his patch of vegetables,” in this line the ‘patch of vegetables’ represents his territory, a place where he can vent his built in frustration and a place where he has total control of everything that’s going on. It describes him specifically being by the patch in the evening as during the day he cannot be alone with his thoughts while working so it is only after his work is done can be free. The line “and all the things he takes

Dale uses metaphor to describe his family, “if Dad’s the backbone of the family, then Mum is the other bones’, which explores his love and appreciation for the family. As well as what is essential in each family member. When Darryl lost his case, Dale visits Wayne who is in jail. The strong emotional language of “You tell Dad, wherever he and Mum are, that’s where I wanna be” shows Wayne is more concerned about living with his beloved family than about losing the house. It emphasises the importance of family in typical Australian’s mind.

The idea of the “Aussie Battler” is projected in The Castle via the protagonist, Darryl Kerrigan. Through this, average Australians who also consider themselves somewhat of an “Aussie Battler” are able to identify with his character. In other words, Darryl is the father that many Australians would be able to relate to as their own. Despite his character being slightly exaggerated, the audience is still able to identify with him on some degree. Darryl is optimistic, hardworking and has “good principles”. Although having an airport in their backyard, Darryl believes that he and his family live in the land of luxury, this projects that Darryl is always looking on the bright side and is able to appreciate the simple things in life, thus this suggests that Australians are quite uncomplicated. An example that supports this archetypal representation of the “Aussie Battler” is when the Kerrigans take a visit to their holiday home in Bonnie Doon. Whilst there, Darryl can be continuously quoted as saying, “how’s the serenity” nevertheless, the audience is positioned to see Bonnie Doon as a desolate landscape complete with high voltage power lines. However, from Darryl’s point of view, you could not get any better. Therefore, the element of identity in this film makes it more relatable towards the intended

Australia is filled with many different aspects in which makes it the country it is today. I believe it is important to study texts that explore aspects of Australia by studying texts such as ‘The Club’, by David Williamson, a play written in 1977 about an Australian football club and movies such as “The Castle”, directed by Rob Stitch in 1997, about the daily life of an Australian family when their happiness is threatened when developers attempt to buy their house to expand the neighboring airport. Both these texts show us what Australian life was like in the past. By us looking at themes such as language, tradition and the mateship shown we are able to explore different aspects of Australia that make it what it is today.

Given the diversity of Australia and the increase in multiculturalism, the definition of the true Australian identity has changed over time. However, I believe the two main characteristics

The Castle, directed by Robert Sitch and produced in 1997, is arguably one of the greatest Australian movies ever created. It is a peculiar, boorish and above all, humorous film, that is loved by most Australians. With great use of trademark Aussie humour, amateur camera work and Australian stereotyping, the movie can be very relatable to Australian viewers, typically those of the blue-collar working-class level. Even with light-hearted humour that could be taken offensively, and seen as a ‘dig at Australian culture, in my opinion, the Castle portrays the typical Australian working -class family and has an underlying message of being resilient and never giving up!