Displaying items by tag: Steph Tisdell

THE DEB

Australia, 2024, 121 minutes, Colour.

Natalie Abbott, Charlotte MacInnes, Tara Morice, Rebel Wilson, Steph Tisdell, Shane Jacobson, Stevie Jean, Coster D’Angelo, Hal Cumpston, Brianna Bishop, Scarlet Crabtree, Susan Prior, Julian McMahon.

Directed by Rebel Wilson.

There is the traditional Debutantes Ball, not so these years but, in this Australian story, important for a country town.

The film began as a stage musical, book and lyrics by Hannah Reilly, music by Meg Washington (who also adapted Paul Kelly’s How to Make Gravy for the screen). On the whole, the music and songs are very cheery, the opening song (and again in the final credits) very frank in its language, to provoke the target audience.

With the opening in an exclusive girls’ school in Sydney, a focus on the teenagers in both city and country town, this is a film with an immediate appeal to teenage girls and young adult women (and their mothers and grandmothers). While there are some men in the cast, younger as well as older, they are very much secondary to the female presence, female assertion, feminism, critique.

Maeve is the school leader, outspoken, demonstrative in behaviour, in trouble with the headmistress who, in fact, is her mother. With some scandals for the school’s reputation, Maeve has to go to the country to her cousins. Maeve is played by Charlotte McInnes, a lively presence once she gets over her being so stuck up.

The cousin in the country, Taylah, a strong performance from Natalie Abbott, lives on the farm, sad at the death of her mother, her father, Rick (the always reliable Shane Jacobson, memories of Kenny) the town’s mayor, with his assistant D (staimitynd-up comedian Steph Tisdell). There is drought, the difficulties of financing, an appeal to the government for aid.

And, still lots of songs and dance, contemporary-style dancing but choreography familiar from the musicals of the past, the youngsters dancing in the streets, bullying – and the condemnation of bullying. Taylah, a large girl, really wants to go to the Deb Ball but is humiliated by the youngsters in the town, except one, Dusty, the charming hero.

So, issues like drought, financial support, and more personal issues of self-consciousness, body image, city snobbery, self-promotion as an influencer, friendships, betrayals, self-assertion.

And Rebel Wilson is also present, an ambitious mother, beauty salon, thwarted, pushing her daughter forward, the daughter being one of the chief bullies. But, Rebel Wilson has also directed the film, happy memories of her being in the Pitch Perfect musical comedies.         

With all the songs and dances, preparations for the ball (under the direction of dressmaker, Tara Morice, over 30 years since Strictly Ballroom), social concerns, personal crises, it offers some lively entertainment for those caught in it.

1. The title and focus, the country town, the Deb Ball, the debutantes, social event, traditions in Australia?
2. An Australian production, the opening, the views of Sydney, the exclusive girls high school, then the move through the countryside, the open spaces, the town, streets, shops, buildings, farms…?
3. The film as a musical, initially prepared for the stage, the songs and the lyrics, more forthright perhaps than expected, the music? The insertion into the plot, the situations, the character revelations, conflicts, and the choreography, dancing, the dancers and their style, memories of the old musicals? 21^st-century musical?
4. The initial focus on Maeve, popular, her followers, the song and dance routine, the defiance and four letter lyrics, the assembly, the clash with the headmistress, feminism, baring of breasts, the reaction of the girls, the revelation that the headmistress was her mother? Clashes, the situation, her having to move away to the country? Her troubles, arrival, sitting waiting for the pickup, her condescending attitudes?
5. Taylah, the big girl, self-conscious, mocked by the other girls at school, the bullying? The photo of her mother, dying, missing her mother? Relationship with her father, the farm, the difficulties, the drought, financial needs, at work on the farm?
6. Driving, picking up Maeve, the initial reaction, friendly, the cousin, Maeve and her reactions, the farm, the room, her uncle? The meal, the phone? Wanting to be an influencer, the pod cast, her intentions, hearing about the Deb Ball, wanting to exploit it? But, the fickle following, the girls at the school, cancelling her, the Pig title?
7. Taylah and Maeve, the conversations, the comparisons? Style? Maeve attacking the bullies? The girls, the boys? The taunting of Taylah, the importance of the ball, her wanting to go, wanting the boy to ask her, his refusal, the humiliation? Her determination?
8. The contrast with Dusty, more sympathetic, the attraction for Maeve? His various interventions, his helping against the bullies? Song and dance routines?
9. Janette, rebel Wilson to roll, ambitions, her salon, relationship with the daughter, pushing her daughter? The nastiness of the daughter and her friends? At home? Self-promoting and rather fickle in her dealings with others, including Taylah?
10. The situation of the town, the drought, Rick and Dimity, the mayor, assistant, Dimity and her wisecracks, support of Taylah? The videos, the appeal to the government, the appeal for finance, on the phone, told 75^th in line, sending the videos, the final phone call, no drought relief money, but the support of the Deb Ball?
11. Shell, her place in the town, unmarried, with an eye on Rick, his not marrying her in the past? The shop, the dresses, supervising the Ball? Some caricaturist spinster behaviour?
12. The preparations for the ball, the dresses, the girls, the partners, song and dance routines, Taylah, the dress?
13. The exposure of Maeve, the pod cast, her attempts at apology, clashes with Taylah, sense of betrayal, her deciding to leave?
14. The change of heart, return, apology, the financial help, the appeals, online, the change of heart of the girls at school? The preparation for the Ball? Dusty and the relationship?
15. Rick and Dimity, the preparations for the ball, his sash, Shell, the humiliation of Taylah, her defiance of Maeve, the cigarette, the fire, the hall burning down, Taylah and her rescuing Shell? But her not wanting to go to the Ball?
16. The ball, the speeches, the helicopter, the arrival of the Prime Minister, the show and song and speeches, the rain? Taylah and a change of heart, the dress, Shell helping her, her arrival?
17. Musical, the happy ending?
18. The target audiences, teenage girls, their mothers and dealing with teenagers, grandmothers and their wisdom? The response of male audiences?

TOTAL CONTROL/ SERIES 3

Australia, 2024, 6 x 60 minutes, Colour.

Deborah Mailman, Rachel Griffiths, Rob Collins, Wayne Blair, Wesley Patten, Huw Higginson, Anthony Hayes, Steph Tisdell, Benedict Hardie, Rosie Lourde, Lisa Hensley, Jozef Beer, Catherine McClements, Fayssal Bazzi, Maya Stange.

Directed by Wayne Blair, Jub Clerc.

The first series of Total Control made such an impact in 2019 that in 2021 the second series went to air on the ABC. Deborah Mailman as Alex Irving, politician, the central character, won many awards. Rachel Griffiths was a strong presence. There were dramatic complications about First Nations people, Alex and her life in Queensland, in Parliament, dependence on Rachel, their clashes. This was developed in the second series, also developing the relationship between Alex and her brother Charlie, Rob Collins, leading to strong tensions. There was also the relationship between Alex and her son, Eddie, Wesley Patten. And there was a great deal of political conflict.

This is taken for granted in the third series, Alex initially seen in Queensland, with her new advisor, very patient and sympathetic Jolie, Steph Tisdell. Alex is campaigning, challenging the government for floods in the North. This sets a pattern for her behaviour throughout this series, as an independent in the House of Representatives, outspoken, always challenging, confronting the new prime minister of a minority government, played by Wayne Blair (who also directed three episodes). She clashes with her brother Charlie, now married, his wife expecting, his working for the prime minister on policy and documents.

And, there is the continuing relationship, friendly and hostile, with Rachel, the latter wanting an alliance of independent members, difficulties in finance, possibilities of corruption, investigative journalist with threats. And there is the continued concern of Alex for her son, his being in Canberra, at a special school, involved in protests against racism, planning to be an exchange student.

There is also the issue of Alex’s health, her incessant work, collapse, surgery, secrecy.

The fifth episode is well worth seeing, parliamentary sitting, Alex warning the prime minister that she would be a threat, proposing amendments, the cause of social justice for the young, trapping the prime minister and his relentless advisor, Sharon, Lisa Hensley, getting the support of the boisterous leader of the opposition, Anthony Hayes, only to outwit him to get support for further amendments which the government is forced to accept.

One of the best of Australian television series.

1. The title, Alex, have Total Control of herself?
2. The popularity of the series, Australian life, society, First Nations people, politics, corruption, Canberra?
3. The value of the miniseries, six hours to develop characters and themes?
4. Deborah Mailman as Alex Irving? The three series? The origins, her journey, Queensland, aboriginal, the past, relationship with her mother, crisis and her mother appearing to her, her relationship with Charlie, relationship with her son, Eddie? The opening, the floods in Queensland, the need for aid, government inaction? Her visit, her assistant, representations to the government? Political will? The intervention of the Queensland government, opening the Winton Medical Centre, the irony of her mother and illness, delayed, her death?
5. Alex, her age, career, ups and downs, out of the Senate, House of Representatives, relationship with Rachel over the years, relationship with Paul? Paul as Prime Minister, First Nations, minority government, the crossbench, the Greens? Alex and her associations? Her courses, youth justice, the arguments with Paul, the dinner with him and her family, clashes with Charlie? Relationship with the opposition leader, using him, outwitting him? Her reliance on Jolie, price, the bond, the talk, Alex not wanting Jolie to pester her? Her health situation, secretive, the discussions with the doctor, the need for an operation, going to Queensland, the secrecy, collapse, her relationship with Dominic, driver and security, his challenging her – confidant, the later evening, dancing, the kiss? Alex has driven, her moods, strict mother, advised to be free with her son?
6. Rachel, the past, her leadership, losing government, the crossbench? Forming the alliance? The think tank? Nick and his influence? Matt, the opposition, her wanting to influence him? Her relationship with Alex, up and down, the visit for to discussions? Lobbying for boats? Rachel and the encounters with Marian, the interview, the material for the article, Rachel wanting the injunction, collaboration with the Greens, the think tank, the finances? Kathleen, the discussion, Helena, wanting to support? Her being the source of Marian’s information? Kathleen hacking Marian? Rachel and the confrontation? Rachel and her voting record? Peter and his advisory role, constant? Alex and her anger with Rachel, Rachel saying she was not above suspicion? Alex justifying herself and abandoning Rachel?
7. Paul, Prime Minister, aboriginal background, political savvy, the minority government, personal involvement, strengths and weaknesses? The parliamentary sittings and abuse?) Sharon, tough attitudes, advice, strategies? The relationship with Alex, the conflicts? Alex challenging? Charlie, his job, writing, the deadlines, policies? Charlie and his outburst against Paul, the aftermath? Alex and her visits, the threats, the setting of the house of parliament, her amendments, Paul being trapped?
8. The picture of the opposition, the gung ho leader, his abuse of parliamentarians, the Speaker correcting him? Conservative, his following? Supporting Alex, a new amendments, his being trapped, his eyes harsh attitudes towards youth? The walkout of his members who did not support him? Matt, principals, urged by Rachel, the rebel group, part of the alliance?
9. Eddie, his age, Queensland background, life and friends, at home there? In Canberra, the school, private school, the students? Skipping school, friends, elitist groups? His protesting, the bigoted security guard, filming him, his being arrested, Alex ambushed by the media? Her reaction? Taking him to Queensland? Her not telling him about her health? The friend whom he supported with the filming, the police, going to the party, Charley driving them home, drinking, drunk, sick? Supported by Dee? Her pregnancy, waters breaking, driving her to the hospital, his presence, support, calling the baby Eric? His wanting to be an exchange student, the decision coming through, Iceland? His demanding honesty from his mother?
10. Charlie, relationship with Alex, family, in Canberra, the previous attack on Alex and himself, the stabbing, the racist attack, the court case, the racists interview and apology? Charlie and his relationship with Dee, her pregnancy, nice couple, her professionalism, his job, the deadlines, the timing, policies? Phone calls with Alex? His outburst against Paul? His decision to go to therapy, the meetings? Late for the birth? Decisions about the future, haven’t Dee and her job, going back to Winton, the possibilities of New York?
11. Jolie, the big woman, motherly, advisor and confidante to Alex, Rachel offering her the job, concerned about Alex’s health? Thank advice? The final decision about parliament?
12. The Parliamentary sequence, the Speaker getting ready, the formalities, the rowdiness and the Speaker intervening? The issue, the amendments, the reactions, Alex and her presentation, having the floor, Paul and Sharon, the opposition initially supporting, Alex outwitting them, her speeches, the divisions, the press response? The success? The press and the accusations of corruption? Her collapse?
13. The issue of corruption, Marion in her article, the accusations against Helena, her resigning? Rachel offering supply? Marian leaving the confidential dossier for Alex? The press conference and her honesty, the final confrontation with Rachel? The alliance, and Matt announcing Alex as leader?
14. The finale, Alex talking to camera, about aboriginal leadership, accusations and challenges to the audience?

THE NUT FARM

Australia, 2023, 91 minutes, Colour.

Arj Barker, Jonno Roberts, Madeleine West, Tiriel Mora, Roy Billing, Gyton Grantley, Steph Tisdell, Annie Byron, Dave Eastgate, JJ Pantano, Danny Faifai, Tracy Lee Maxwell, Brad McMurray.

Directed by Scott Corfield.

Intentionally, the title seems to be indicating some kind of mental establishment. While there are some quite strange goings-on, an absurd character or two, or three, the title actually refers to a property in the remote small Australian town of Cobweb, a macadamia farm.

This is a small Australian film, often tongue in cheek, happy to send up American innocents abroad, a jibe or three at some New Zealanders, and a range of local characters who populate Australian television series, especially the comedies

Our central character is an American, Brendan Brandon, played by comedian Arj Barker, who seems to be a cryptocurrency expert in San Francisco, giving self-satisfied speeches to admiring crowds, but then falling on hard times. We have already seen an old man seemingly prospecting, finding a manhole and going down – and disappearing. He is Mitch and his friend, Harry, phones Brendan to say he has inherited Mitch’s macadamia farm. What on earth does Brendan know about farms or macadamias? Answer, of course, nothing.

Brendan flies to Australia, picked up from the plane by Esme who runs the local pub (incorporating all shops, the diner, the bar…), Looking for all the world like a Dame Edna caricature. Harry is played by Tiriel Mora in his very sad sack style. There are various characters in the town, including old Dazza who spends time at the bar, Sgt Blake, who has all kinds of jobs in Cobweb from policing to delivering the mail (and enjoyable performance from Steph Tisdale), the enterprising Farmer Dee who tells of an avocado farmer who has disappeared. He helps Brendan with the macadamia trees and cultivation – and then disappears.

What is Brendan to make of all of this? Especially when Harry tells him that he has to produce 20,000 tons of macadamia nuts to finally inherit!

Meanwhile, we look below the surface, a fracking enterprise which disturbs the locals and has disturbed Mitch. In the tunnels there is a mad scientist, Zoran (New Zealand actor Jonno Roberts), with a very efficient, office -like assistant and two miners digging in the trenches). It is finally revealed what Zoran is up to – an attempt to assist New Zealand economy!

Since this is also a light comedy, there had better be a bit of romance. There is the enterprising farmer, Kim, who is attracted to Brendan (some of the audience perhaps not entirely sure why), and her rather precocious young son.

When Brendan fails by a couple of kilos to meet his quota, he goes prospecting and uncovers Zoran’s mad enterprise.

And, happy ending, Brendan seeing sense, of course, and staying in Australia with Kim and her son and the macadamia nuts – and all the new friends in Cobweb!

1. The title? Literal macadamia nuts? The overtones of nutty – nutty comedy?
2. The opening in San Francisco, the world of crypto currency, speeches and customers? The contrast with Australia, the town of Cobweb, the farm, the landscapes, the tunnel? The Australian feel? The sending up of Americans? The musical score?
3. Mitch, old man, seeming to be prospecting, the search, his disappearance down the hall? Bequeathing his farm who Brendan? The others disappearing, the avocado farmer, later Farmer D?
4. The audience seeing the sore arm, his assistant, the miners, his manic behaviour, going to the shop, Has a as a spy, theatrical? His aim, gas for New Zealand? The issue of fracking?
5. Brendan, age, character, success, his well collapsing, the phone call from Australia, his arrival, landing, the small town, airport, is made turning up, looking like Dame Edna Everage?
6. Harry, friendship with Mitch, the phone call to Brendan, meeting him, the farm, the property, the house? The claws of having to farm 20,000 tons of macadamia nuts?
7. Sgt Blake, her variety of jobs, changing personality with each job? The irony of the bar, the various sections and the various shops, stores, eating places?
8. Kim, hard work, her son, precocious, the attraction to Brendan, the possibility of a relationship?
9. Brendan, the house, getting used to Australia, Farmer D and the information about the macadamia nuts, tending them, his work?
10. Just falling short of the quota? The legal consequences?
11. Brendan, exploring, finding the trapdoor, going down, discovering the captives?
12. The buildup to the confrontation, the audience having seen the miners and their interactions with the locals, Zorro and his assistant, her efficiency? The technical know-how, the fracking? Leading to the explosion? Brendan, deciding to stay, the relationship with Kim, her son?
13. A small piece of Australian owner?