Redfern Now: Film Review

Stand Up, is an episode which is part of the popular ABC series Redfern Now. The show is created by Indigenous producers, writers and actors and intends to present how Indigenous Australians perceive contemporary Australia. It tells the story of Joel Shields who had just won a scholarship to one of the most prestigious schools in Australia and refuses to sing the national anthem on his first day. Facing the threat of expulsion, Joel is wavering between his father prompting him to stand up for his principles and the traditions of the school. The film is pitched towards a mature audience that is able to grapple with the issues at play and is of distinctive relevance to secondary students who would be able to relate to the narrative. Throughout

the text, the director uses various techniques to help reveal their agenda. The film deals heavily with the theme of tradition and encourages the audience to tackle the notion of blindly abiding by past customs. The film also shows a journey of reconciliation and expresses how merely tolerating another doesn’t fully reunite a broken relationship.
Despite the ongoing sense of division that surrounds the characters, reconciliation and acceptance are themes that strike at the heart of the film.

Reconciliation is when two or more once opposing sides come together in agreement, establishing a friendly relationship. The film shows how reconciliation is a process where there are many hurdles and challenges to encounter before achieving true understanding. One scene depicts this tension showing Joel and his parents facing the principle and her colleagues across her desk. A long shot pans the desk to establish the apprehension and division between the Indigenous Australians and the ‘white school staff.’ The directors strategically placed the sound of a clock ticking in the background to instigate a sense fear and the unknown as Joel and his parents take a seat. Mrs McCann (the principal) attempts to start the reconciliation process by saying “suspending a student is not something we do lightly” as a high angle shot is displayed on the family to portray powerlessness and vulnerability. A back and forth dialogue occurs as Joel’s father refers to the 1969 referendum which granted Aboriginals voting rights. He states “your father probably vote in the referendum” as a mid-shot shows the family from behind the school staff underlining his attempt at forming a relationship. Whilst the sentiment comes off as showing understanding, the underlying facetiousness starts to show as a double-standard is revealed. If you truly believe that

Indigenous Australians have the right to vote then they should have the right to opt out of activities they deem offensive. The dim use of lighting extends this frame of mind as it symbolises internal conflict and disagreement between them. The last scene uncovers the true meaning of reconciliation as Mrs McCann changes her mind and accepts Joel back as a student. The use of bright lighting is noticeable in this section, referring to how Mrs McCann is ready to renew the relationship. Cheerful music is played metaphorically signifying the positive and optimistic feelings that are resounding within the characters. A close-up eye level shot zooms in onto the parents as Joel leaves the house, illustrating an atmosphere of neutrality and equality as well as emphasizing the emotion sensed. The directors take an interesting spin by showing how reconciliation is a journey which necessitates more than tolerance but genuine recognition and acceptance of one’s dignity and self-worth.
The director delves into the question of whether tradition is always necessary and prompts the audience to contemplate this proposition.

Joel is torn between his father’s values and Clifton Grammar’s long held traditions, often viewing the school’s customs with great cynicism. One sections opens up with a low angle of Joel as he ponders that vastness of the schools traditionally styled old structure. It gives off the notion that he is about to encounter foreign territory, the environment is rooted in an Anglo-Saxon ethos and will unescapably clash with his deep-rooted customs. The next shot displays a mid-shot of a white crafted statue of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the school’s large association ‘white Christian’ philosophy and the impenitent nature of it. The director uses bright lighting in order to accentuate the ‘whiteness’ of the statue and hence showing a stark contrast between the school and Joel’s cultural origins. A Caucasian student is subsequently asked to take a photo of his family, the director uses this as imagery to underline the racial and social divide sandwiched between Joel and the college. Another scene shows a close up shot of a photo of a women’s cleavage following a web search of the term ’Australia.’ The director illustrated the unfounded and trivial nature of ‘white’ Australia and puts into perspective the insignificant and trifle make-up what is ‘Australian.’ It prompts the audience to ponder whether ‘white’ Australian culture is truly significant

and if tradition should be blindly adhered to for its own sake. The camera presents a low angle shot of Joel’s father as he bewilderingly reads out the lyrics for the national anthem and questions its validity. It stresses Clifton Grammar’s bizarre and inexplicable mandates and how adamant they are when it comes to singing the anthem. A close up shot of an old Indigenous boxer is displayed as Joel’s father rhetorically asks him his opinion on the matter. The black-and-white picture along with the close-up shot echoes that his Indigenous traditions triumphs the customs of the ‘white-fella.’ The directors luminously questions the rationality of blindly- following traditions and stresses the struggles that Aboriginals stumble upon when working through this issue.
The director effectively explores aspects of the contemporary indigenous experience, and does this commendably through the use of these many techniques. He uses music, lighting and camera angles to reinforce this. The film presents a process of reconciliation and shows how it takes more than just tolerance. It also puts into question the idea that tradition should always prevail over the convictions of others.