Annotated Catalogue - Essay Example

To What extent is Crime depicted in Australian movies and Television programs. Introduction This is a catalogue depicting Australian television programs and movies which highlight crime as a genre. This catalogue comprises of five programs, three from television program and two from film. The two film programs are dirty deeds 2002, and money movers 1978. From the television, the programs are, Killing Time, shown in the period of 2011, East West 101, shown during the periods of 2007 to 2011, and Homicide, shown during the periods 1964 to 1976. 2. ITEM 1: The Homicide is a series of classic Australian Television programs that depict murder and other social evils in Australia (Rattigan, 1991). It involved a group of detectives whose role was to investigate crime. Murder is the key theme of these episodes, justifying the title of the program. The movie is set in an urban area, the capital of Australia, depicting urbanization, and the social problems that comes with it such as crime. This is by portraying scenes of sky scrapers, and showing densely populated urban areas. This is unlike most Australian Television programs that depict rural settings. The period of production, is during the periods of 1964 to 1976 (Rattigan, 1991). During this period, Australian TV broadcasting was dual in nature, and it borrowed heavily from the American style of TV broadcasting (Moran and Vieth, 2005). This was depicted by the importation of various American TV programs such as play house 90 and US steel hour. During this period, issues on current affairs were minimal on television, however, on early 1970s, programs touching on current affairs found their ways on Australian TV programs (Moran and Vieth, 2005). During this period, television broadcasting was a national service, and depicted the affairs of the nation. This period saw the emergence of commercial broadcasting services in Melbourne and Sidney, and thus the need of local programs on TV channels. Due to this development, programs such as Matlock Police and Homicide came into existence (Rattigan, 1991). This program is similar to international programs because of its setting. The TV series are shot in an urban location, which is a characteristic of most international TV program, but it has an Australian context since it involves Australian actors, and actress (Moran and Vieth, 2005). It also depicts Australian Urban cities such as Sidney and its environs. The program uses Australian footages to develop its plot, and it integrates outdoor and indoor film recording which a major characteristic of Australian TV programs. 3. ITEM 2: East West 101 is a TV program produced during the periods 2007 to 2011. It depicts crime based upon real life experiences of detectives (Taddeo and Dvorak, 2010). The key theme in this TV series is crime, and murder is the main genre. The setting of the program is on the Western suburbs of Sidney. The East West title symbolizes the culture between the Western and the Eastern world, which are found in Sidney. For instance the Eastern suburbs of Sidney consists of the Anglo-Saxon people, and, and the affluent in the society, while the Western suburbs consists of people of low income, with large immigrant residents. The characteristics of production during this period involve an era where there is digital production of television broadcasting, and an advancement of technology in movie production (Taddeo and Drovak, 2010). This is in the form of DVDS, and satellite channels. This period is characterized by TV ratings by organizations such as Oztam, and a presence of commercial television networks which run a series of multi channels, and an example includes 7two and GO, which emanates from seven and nine networks. Despite its Urban setting, which is a characteristic of most international programs, this program depicts an Australian context through its location and footages. The program scene is in Sidney and its footages depict Australian culture (Perkins et al, 2010). Basing on this note, it is important for this program to be in the catalogue. 4. ITEM 3: Killing time is another TV program shown in the year 2011, and it depicts crime. The thematic connotation of this movie is justice and crime, since it involves a struggling lawyer who gains prominence in successfully defending hard core criminals (Fitzsimons et al, 2011). The setting of this program is on an urban location, i.e. Sidney, and its title is somewhat similar to that of the program Homicide, because they both depict violence and murder. It uses Australian footages and actors, giving it an Australian context, despite its adoption of an urban setting. The time period of 2011, is characterized by the commercialization of broadcasting services and digitalization of broadcasting, therefore there are numerous advertisements during its play (Fitzsimons et al, 2011). 5. ITEM 4: Money mover is an example of a classical Australian film produced in 1978. The main thematic connotation of this film is violence, and it depicts occurrences in a violent criminal world (McFarlane et al, 1999). The movie was filmed in a production studio, (SAFC) and in Sidney, portraying a characteristic of Australian movie productions which involve indoor and outdoor film shooting. One major characteristic of Australian film during this period is the adoption of Australian classic stories into movies (Marsh, 2011). For instance, the film money makers is an adaptation from the book by Devon Minchin titled Money Movers. This period witnessed government support in the production of Australian films, and Money Movers is an example of a film supported by such initiative (Marsh, 2011). It is during this period that most movies depicted Australian culture and means of survival in a harsh economic Australian environment, hence the need of violence as shown in the movie. The movie uses Australian footages and cast to give it an Australian context. 6. ITEM 5: Dirty Deeds is a 2002 production whose setting is in the periods of 1960s. Its genre is crime, and its main thematic connotation is violence and social disorder (Marsh, 2011). The movie is shot in Sidney Australia, and it depicts an urban location. The periods 1960s, characterizes a period in which most Australian movies came from Australian novels; however this is not the case with dirty deeds (Schneider, 2004). This movie was produced and written by Greg Den, and therefore it is not an adaptation of a novel. FILMS: 1. MONEY MOVERS (1978): This is a good example of a film that depicts violence and social disorders (Lewis, 1987). The main theme, crime is expressed through the actions of the main characters such as Erick Jackson, Brian Brown and Ed Gallaghe who act as criminals. It is from their acts, that Bruce Beresford and Devon Mancini develop the plot of the film, thus fitting into the genre of crime. For instance, the first scene of violence is depicted when a mob hits the armored car belonging to Darcy resulting to gun shots. This is a perfect example of an Australian classic film of the 1970s, which were based on famous novels (Lewis, 1987). It is an adaptation of the novel by Devon Mancini. The film explains Australian culture in relation to male-women relations, and on this basis, it is included in the catalogue. For instance, women are used by men to do less serious work, and when it comes to serious issues like business deals, women are left at the background. This movie popularized Australian crime films, and a movie by Michael Mann, titled “Thief”, drew its inspiration from the film. Basing on these arguments, this film is an essential part of this catalogue. 2. DIRTY DEEDS (2002): The theme of crime is better portrayed in this film through the actions of Barry Ryan. He is a gangster who controls a gambling business in Sidney, as a result making huge profits (Perkins, 2008). This attracts American Mafia groups, who through their henchmen, try to wrestle out Barry Ryan from the business. This leads to series of violent episodes, which involves gun fights and corrupt police officers. The reason as to why this movie is in the catalogue is because it defies the characteristics of Australian movies, which were based on novels. This movie is written by David Caesar, and produced by Bryan Brown. Though the movie depicts the period 1969, its production does not highlight the Australian characteristics and technology of the time (Perkins, 2008). An example involves an instance where Tony, the nephew of Barry shows him a video slot machine by use of high resolution color video, synthesized computer and audio power. This is absurd, because during the set period, such technology was inexistent in Australia. It was available in video slot machines during the periods of 1980s. Basing on this, this film is an important aspect of the catalogue since it provides a comparison and contrast with the movie Money Movers. This is because their productions depict a similar historical time, that of the periods 1960s, and 1970s. PROGRAMS: 3. HOMICIDE (1964 TO 1976): This is a series of homicide cases that involved murder and how detectives tracked down the culprits (Rattigan, 1991). In episode 405, titled “Time and Tide”, it talks of social issues such as inappropriate use of fire arms, and episode 128, titled “Freakouts”, it highlights use of banned substances. Episode 23 covers prostitution, while episode 21, covers rape. All this are criminal activities in Australia, and these TV series played a role in highlighting them. The reason as to why this TV series is in the catalogue is because it highlights the periods in which TV broadcasting in Australia was dual in nature, and most programs came from America (Rattigan, 1991). It is during this period that there was a transformation of the Australian broadcasting, to incorporate local programs, such as homicide. This program provides a perfect example of a local program during this period. 4. KILLING TIME (2011): This is a series of episodes that depict violent crimes, and a defense of the perpetrators of the crime by a defense attorney (Fitzsimons et al, 2011). Andrew Fraser brings out the thematic connotation of crime and social disorder through his actions that involve smuggling of drugs, and cocaine addiction. In episode 2, Fraser defends Dennis, a local criminal gang leader, and befriends the biker gang, Dennis rivals. This episode depicts lots of gun battle, and police corruption. Episode 3 involves a case against Dennis Allen, where he is accused of causing damage through a pub shoot out. Through this violent scenes, and police corruption, Jason Stephens manages to depict the genre of crime, and violence. This production is important in this catalogue because it represents modern day TV programs (Fitzsimons et al, 2011), which are characterized by commercialization of broadcasting. For instance, there are numerous advertisements at the breaks of the production, and this is an element of commercialization of broadcasting. 5. EAST WEST 101 (2007 TO 2011): This episode depict violence and crime in three seasons, and it is a perfect example of a modern day Television series that aires its programming through seasons (Taddeo and Dvorak, 2010). Seasons depicts crime through the actions of Zane Malik and Ray Crowley, who struggle against each other in search of respect. Malik conducts a search for his father’s killers, which results in numerous gun battles with the suspects, while Crowley struggles to come in terms with his son’s death. In season two, violence is depicted through the bombings of a car, by a Muslim terror group, while Helen, Sonny and Jung investigate various criminal activities across Australia. These depict social disorder in Australia, since the criminal activities under investigation are drug smuggling, and prostitution (Taddeo and Dvorak, 2010). The importance of this series in the catalogue is because it highlights different culture in Sidney. The East associates itself with the affluent in society, while the West associates itself with low income earners. These depicts a class struggle between the rich and the poor, hence a series of crimes. Appendex FILMOGRAPHY OF THE PROGRAMS: Title Year of Production Director of Production Production Company Homicide 1964 to 1976 Colin Eggleston 7 Network and Crawford Productions. Killing Time 2011 Shaun Grant Freemantle media East West 101 2007 to 2011 Steve Knapman and Kris Wyld Knapman Wyld Television Money Movers 1978 Bruce Beresford New South Wales Film Corporation, and South Australian Film Production. Dirty Deeds 2002 David Caesar Alliance Atlantis Communications, Australian Film Finance Corporation and Haystack productions limited. Bibliography: Australian Film Corporation. (2002). Australian films, features 02. Woolloomooloo, N.S.W.: Australian Film Commission. FitzSimons, T., & Laughren, P. (2011). Australian documentary: history, practices and genres. Port Melbourne: Cambridge U.P.. Lewis, G. (1987). Australian movies and the American dream. New York: Praeger. Marsh, B. (2011). Great Australian CWA stories. Sydney, N.S.W.: ABC Books / HarperCollins. McFarlane, B., Mayer, G., & Bertrand, I. (1999). The Oxford companion to Australian film. South Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press. Moran, A., & Vieth, E. (2005). Historical dictionary of Australian and New Zealand cinema. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow. Perkins, R. (2008). First Australians: an illustrated history. Carlton, Vic.: Miegunyah Press. Perkins, R., & Langton, M. (2010). First Australians (Pbk. ed.). Carlton, Vic.: Miegunyah Press. Rattigan, N. (1991). Images of Australia: 100 films of the new Australian cinema. Dallas: Southern Methodist University Press. Schneider, S. J. (2004). 1001 movies you must see before you die (Rev. ed.). Sydney, N.S.W.: ABC Books for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Taddeo, J. A., & Dvorak, K. (2010). The tube has spoken: reality TV & history. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky. Read More