Displaying items by tag: Marta Dusseldorp

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU

Australia, 2024, 114 minutes, Colour.

Melina Vidler, Marta Düsseldorp, Albert Mwangi, Dustin Clare, Martin Sacks, Celine O'Leary.

Directed by Kelly Schilling.

The basic story for this film is based on the life experiences of the writer-directors, Kelly Schilling.

This is very much a South Australian film, a road film, the highways and byways of South Australia, towns, homes, caravan parks, whole range of scenery…

And, it is a mother-daughter film, tensions between the two, the focus on the young girl, Chloe, her growing up, her eventually leaving home, dire experiences in the city, her being rescued by a migrant from Africa, suspicions of him, but eventually relying on him.

Melina Vidler plays the daughter, Albert Mwangi is engaging as the African. But, with Marta Dusseldorp in the cast, it is not surprising that she dominates the film, wild at times, seriously alcoholic, defiantly exuberant, many times impossible.

So, the film is a study of characters, their interactions, dependence and independence, love and difficulties in loving. There are some strong supporting characters including Martin Sacks, previously in the relationship with the mother, caring for the daughter, their going back to rely on him and his help. There is also the caring aunt and, passing stranger, the Cowboy, who brings in a sexual element.

Much of the behaviour of the central character is exasperating but, realising that is what life is like, the audience will be living in hope for the irresponsible mother, for the put upon daughter – and the relationship with the gentlemanly African.

1. The opening, the birth, Chloe and her mother, bonding, the interdependence? The title?
2. South Australian setting, the city, the towns, the countryside, caravan parks, orchards, Homestead’s…? The musical score?
3. Chloe’s story, her birth, with her mother, growing up, the departure of Stevo, mother and daughter dancing, Chloe leaving home, unwilling, her mother’s urging?
4. Two years later, Chloe, in the street, battered, the man and his aggression, Dalu watching, his punching Dalu, taking Chloe away?
5. Chloe, her age, with her mother, her mother’s alcoholism, tantrums, the bath, laughing? Pat, her aunt, angry? The decision to leave? Chloe getting the car, her friend, his support?
6. Dalu, playing the drums, in the street, Chloe and her missing the bus, sitting, remembering, his memory? His attitude, back story, student, visa, the arranged marriage and the wife taking the money, his search for jobs, the photo in his wallet, Chloe’s suspicions, the final story of his identity, name, financial support of his sister-in-law, promise to his brother?
7. Chloe and her hesitations, unwilling to trust, always suspicious? Dalu, agreeable? Travelling together, the meal, the assailant, coming to the caravan, setting it alight, her money being burnt?
8. The time on the road, friends, meals, her mother? Going with her mother, the scenic route, the car broken down, Chloe attacking Ddalu, his walking away, the spending the night, his returning, moving the car?
9. Dalu, the prospect of a job, going to the address, the angry woman, their driving away? Stevo, relationship with Chloe, the past, welcoming them, accommodation, food?
10. The relationship between Dalu and Chloe, the attraction, her suspicions, the sexual encounter, the consequences?
11. Sharon, her age, experiences, depending on Chloe, the clashes with Pat? Driving away, her tantrums, on the scenic road? The bar, her encounter with Cowboy, the bonding, her leaving? Going to Stevo, the past, the sexual encounter? Her anger, leaving?
12. Pat coming to her rescue, taking her away, the issue of letting Chloe go, Cowboy, his visits, her collapse, hospital, running away, breaking the alcohol bottles, Dalu finding her, saving her? Urging Chloe to go? With Cowboy, dry?
13. Chloe, the clash with Dalu, Stevo, the passport, the information, his leaving? Her finding him, the words of her mother, the bond with da loo? His wise words, her future?

CHARMIAN CLIFT: LIFE BURNS HIGH

Australia, 2024, 80 minutes, Colour.

Voices: Marta Düsseldorp.

Directed by Rachel Lane.

Charmian Clift has a significant place in Australian literature. She published many books, a number in collaboration with her husband, George Johnston. She also wrote a significant column in Australian newspapers during the 1960s, stimulating ideas and discussions.

This documentary outlines the details of her life, her background, early career, marriage to George Johnston, family, their life in the UK, their life in the Greek islands, the return to Australia.

Underlying the narrative are many quotes from Charmian Clift’s writings, visually highlighted, as well as passages from her articles. These are voiced by veteran Australian actress, Marta Düsseldorp. And the film is able to use a great deal of footage from her movies, television interviews and programs, excerpts from the television series both 1965 and 2001 from the novel, My Brother Jack.

There are many commentators, their contributions to advantage in the film. A narrative is supplied by official biographer, Nadia Wheatley. There is significant commentary from poet Rodney Hall who spent time with his wife and family with Clift and Johnston. There is also commentary from novelist, Thomas Kenneally. There is vigorous comments from writer, Jane Caro. There is also material from the director of My Brother Jack and journalist Richard Walsh.

The film highlights the family growing up in Kiama the 1920s and 30s, military background of the family, Charmian and her education, her use of the military, writing for the military papers, catching the eye of a publisher from the Melbourne Argus, the success of her writing, the encounter with celebrated war correspondent, George Johnston, the affair, his separation from his wife, the couple marrying, moving to the UK, his successful career there, her pregnancies and looking after children, his office affair.

The two collaborated in their writing, then made the significant move to Greece, life in the island, support from a local businessman, increasing number of visitors, and artistic colony, the significant visit of Leonard Cohen and its influence on his relationship and future, many publications, the children growing up speaking and thinking in Greek, but many clashes, and Charmian having affairs.

With Johnston’s success, especially with My Brother Jack, the family returned to Australia. It was here that Charmian had great success and influence in Australia with her columns, in the women’s section of the papers, sponsored by Grace Bros, but increasingly read, discussed.

But, there were health difficulties, George, antibiotics, smoking, lung difficulties, collaboration with Charmian, but also fighting. Ultimately, George wrote Clean Straw for Nothing which, with its fictitious character based on his wife, is condemnatory of her, indicating that she was responsible for his health collapse. And, then, a depressed Charmian commits suicide.

The film is a portrait of Charmian, a lesser a portrait of George Johnston, but a visit to the Greek islands and their influence on the family, and the social change in unrest in Australia in the mid-1960s.