Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Early Australian Cinema (1890s–1930s)
Early Australian Cinema (1890s–1930s)
Knowledge check
Q1. Who was the first Australian filmmaker to gain international recognition in the early 20th century?
- A. Cecil Hepworth
- B. Charles Tait ✓
- C. Franklyn Barrett
- D. John Grierson
Why: Charles Tait was one of the first Australian filmmakers to gain international recognition for his work in the early 20th century, particularly with films like 'The Story of the Kelly Gang' (1906).
Q2. Which of the following was the first feature-length Australian film?
- A. The Story of the Kelly Gang ✓
- B. The Sentimental Bloke
- C. Picnic at Hanging Rock
- D. Breaker Morant
Why: 'The Story of the Kelly Gang' (1906) was the first feature-length Australian film, marking a significant milestone in Australian cinema history.
Q3. What was the primary reason for the decline of the Australian film industry in the 1930s?
- A. Lack of talent
- B. Economic depression and competition from Hollywood ✓
- C. Censorship laws
- D. Technological failure
Why: The Great Depression and the rise of Hollywood films were the main factors that led to the decline of the Australian film industry in the 1930s.
Q4. Which of the following was a notable Australian film produced during the 1920s?
- A. The Story of the Kelly Gang
- B. The Last of the Mohicans
- C. The Sentimental Bloke ✓
- D. Gallipoli
Why: 'The Sentimental Bloke' (1919) was a notable Australian film produced during the 1920s and is considered a classic of early Australian cinema.
Q5. What was the main focus of Australian films during the silent era?
- A. International politics
- B. Everyday Australian life and bush themes ✓
- C. Science fiction
- D. Historical dramas
Why: During the silent era, Australian films often focused on everyday Australian life, bush themes, and the experiences of Australians in the bush and outback.
Module 2
Module 2: Post-War Films and National Identity
Post-War Films and National Identity
Module 3
Module 3: The Rise of Australian New Wave
The Rise of Australian New Wave
Knowledge check
Q1. Which Australian film is widely regarded as a landmark of the Australian New Wave movement?
- A. Picnic at Hanging Rock ✓
- B. Breaker Morant
- C. Mad Max
- D. The Man from Snowy River
Why: Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) is considered a landmark film of the Australian New Wave due to its unique storytelling and cinematography.
Q2. Who was a key figure in the Australian New Wave and directed the film 'Mad Max'?
- A. George Miller ✓
- B. Peter Weir
- C. Fred Schepisi
- D. Bruce Beresford
Why: George Miller directed 'Mad Max' (1979), which became a defining film of the Australian New Wave and launched his international career.
Q3. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Australian New Wave?
- A. Focus on Australian identity
- B. Use of international co-productions
- C. Emphasis on realism and social issues
- D. Frequent use of Hollywood-style special effects ✓
Why: The Australian New Wave emphasized realism and social issues, and often used international co-productions, but did not typically rely on Hollywood-style special effects.
Q4. Which Australian film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1981?
- A. The Last Wave ✓
- B. Gallipoli
- C. My Life as a Dog
- D. The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith
Why: The Last Wave (1980), directed by Peter Weir, won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1981, marking a significant achievement for Australian cinema.
Q5. What year is generally considered the beginning of the Australian New Wave?
- A. 1970
- B. 1975 ✓
- C. 1980
- D. 1985
Why: The Australian New Wave is generally considered to have begun in 1975 with the release of films like 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' and 'Breaker Morant'.
Module 4
Module 4: Indigenous Storytelling in Australian Film
Indigenous Storytelling in Australian Film
Module 5
Module 5: Australian Cinema in the Digital Age
Australian Cinema in the Digital Age
Knowledge check
Q1. Which of the following Australian films is considered a landmark of Australian cinema in the digital age?
- A. Gallipoli
- B. Rabbit Proof Fence
- C. Mad Max: Fury Road ✓
- D. Breaker Morant
Why: Mad Max: Fury Road is a landmark film in Australian cinema during the digital age due to its groundbreaking visual effects and global success.
Q2. What year did the Australian film industry begin to see a significant shift towards digital filmmaking?
- A. 1990
- B. 2000 ✓
- C. 2010
- D. 2020
Why: The early 2000s marked a significant shift in the Australian film industry towards digital filmmaking with the rise of digital cameras and editing technologies.
Q3. Which of the following directors is known for using digital technology to enhance storytelling in Australian cinema?
- A. George Miller ✓
- B. Peter Weir
- C. Fred Schepisi
- D. Bruce Beresford
Why: George Miller is known for using digital technology to enhance storytelling, particularly in films like Mad Max: Fury Road.
Q4. What is the name of the Australian government initiative that supports the film industry through digital innovation?
- A. Screen Australia ✓
- B. ACMI
- C. Australian Film Institute
- D. National Film and Sound Archive
Why: Screen Australia is the government initiative that supports the Australian film industry, including through digital innovation and funding.
Q5. Which of the following is an example of an Australian film that was heavily influenced by digital special effects?
- A. The Man from Snowy River
- B. The Quiet Man
- C. The Matrix ✓
- D. The Babadook
Why: The Matrix, although not an Australian film, was heavily influenced by Australian director the Wachowskis and is known for its groundbreaking use of digital special effects.
Module 6
Module 6: Censorship and Regulation in Film History
Censorship and Regulation in Film History
Knowledge check
Q1. What was the primary reason for the establishment of the Australian Classification Board (ACB) in 1970?
- A. To promote Australian films internationally
- B. To regulate the content of films shown in Australia ✓
- C. To provide funding for Australian filmmakers
- D. To encourage the production of more films
Why: The ACB was created to regulate film content and ensure that films met certain standards for public viewing in Australia.
Q2. Which of the following films was banned in Australia in the 1970s due to its explicit content?
- A. Mad Max
- B. Picnic at Hanging Rock
- C. The Wog Boy ✓
- D. The Last Wave
Why: The Wog Boy was banned in the 1970s for its offensive and explicit content, which was considered inappropriate for public viewing.
Q3. What was the main focus of the 1988 'Film Classification Guidelines'?
- A. To increase the number of Australian films produced
- B. To provide clearer criteria for film classification ✓
- C. To ban all foreign films
- D. To promote censorship of all films
Why: The 1988 guidelines aimed to provide clearer and more consistent criteria for classifying films based on content.
Q4. Which government body is responsible for classifying films in Australia today?
- A. Australian Film Institute
- B. Australian Classification Board ✓
- C. Screen Australia
- D. Australian Broadcasting Authority
Why: The Australian Classification Board (ACB) is the current authority responsible for classifying films in Australia.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a film classification used by the ACB?
Why: The X classification was used in the past but has been replaced by R18+ as the highest rating for films with explicit content.
Module 7
Module 7: Key Filmmakers and Their Impact
Key Filmmakers and Their Impact
Knowledge check
Q1. Who is considered one of the pioneers of Australian cinema and directed films such as "Picnic at Hanging Rock"?
- A. George Miller
- B. Peter Weir ✓
- C. Nicolas Roeg
- D. Fred Schepisi
Why: Peter Weir is known for directing "Picnic at Hanging Rock" and is considered a key filmmaker in Australian cinema.
Q2. Which Australian filmmaker is best known for directing the "Mad Max" series?
- A. George Miller ✓
- B. Bruce Beresford
- C. Ralph Smart
- D. Fred Schepisi
Why: George Miller directed the original "Mad Max" film and is well known for the entire series.
Q3. Which of the following films is directed by Gillian Armstrong and is considered a landmark in Australian cinema?
- A. "The Last Days of Chez Knapp"
- B. "My Brilliant Career" ✓
- C. "The Piano"
- D. "Strictly Ballroom"
Why: Gillian Armstrong directed "My Brilliant Career", which is regarded as a significant film in Australian cinema history.
Q4. Which filmmaker is known for directing the film "Breaker Morant" and is often associated with historical dramas?
- A. George Miller
- B. Fred Schepisi
- C. Bruce Beresford ✓
- D. Peter Weir
Why: Bruce Beresford directed "Breaker Morant" and is known for his work in historical dramas.
Q5. Which Australian filmmaker is known for directing the film "Strictly Ballroom" and is celebrated for his work in the musical genre?
- A. Gillian Armstrong
- B. George Miller
- C. Barry Jenkins
- D. Baz Luhrmann ✓
Why: Baz Luhrmann directed "Strictly Ballroom" and is known for his work in the musical genre.