AustLit’s 25th Anniversary special: INFORMATION TRAIL 2 OF 25: Black strip of stylised film, showing, from left-to-right, Mel Gibson in Mad Max, a scene from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and a shot from Satellite Boy. AUSTRALIAN FILMS Continue to explore the trail!
Text reads: Satellite Boy Adventure/Family Catriona McKenzie (2012) In a grey text box, text reads: Set in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Satellite Boy tells the story of Pete who lives in an abandoned drive-in cinema with his grandfather Jagamarra, whom Pete calls Jubbi. Jagamarra is determined to pass on knowledge and culture to his grandson, but Pete is a reluctant learner. When the cinema is purchased by a mining company and slated for demolition, Pete and his best friend Kalmain set off on a journey to save their home. When the two get lost in the remote country of the Bungle Bungles, their survival depends on the lessons Pete’s grandfather has taught him. In the top left-hand corner of the text box is the poster for Satellite Boy, showing a young Indigenous boy standing next to a burning chair, with a derelict drive-in movie screen behind him against the sunset.
Text reads: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1984) Musical/Drama/Comedy Stephan Elliot (1984) In a grey text box, text reads: 'Tick' Belrose, a Sydney drag queen, accepts his ex-wife's invitation to bring his stage show to the outback. Felicia, a younger drag queen, and the grieving Bernadette. They set out for Alice Springs in a second-hand bus that they name 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. The journey takes them to Broken Hill, Coober Pedy and are rescued by an open-minded mechanic when Priscilla breaks down in the desert. In Alice Springs, Tick meets the young son he barely knows and the three climb Kings Canyon together in full drag, before making their debut at the Alice Springs casino. In the top right-hand corner of the text box is the theatrical poster for Priscilla, showing a bus in a desert with an elaborately costumed drag queen riding on the roof, and three costumed drag queens at the bottom front.
Text reads: Mad Max Action/Sci-fi James McCausland & George Miller (1979). Against a grey text box, text reads: In a post-apocalyptic Australia, law and order has begun to break down due to energy shortages, despite the efforts of Main Force Patrol (MFP) officers like Max Rockatansky. After Rockatansky encounters Toecutter's motorcycle gang, who are running runshod over isolated communities, he grows disillusioned with his role in the MFP. At first convinced by his superior officer not to resign, he is driven into a state of cold-blooded revenge when Toecutter's gang murder his wife and young son. In the top right-hand side of the text box is the theatrical poster for Mad Max, showing a leather clad and helmeted man, holding a gun, standing in front of a car. The background is on fire.
Our next information trail for #AustLit25 is live, and to celebrate the upcoming #AACTAs, it's on Australian film. Beautifully compiled by Shala Schlicht and with gorgeous slides by Monica Clayton. Don't forget to check the calendar for future trails!
Explore here: www.austlit.edu.au/25th-anniver...
