Australian Films - Screening Responces
Week 1: Screening Australianness ‘Newsfront’ (1978)
Newsfront (1978) is about the commencement of Australian television. It notions the changing times; the context before the television was a household object.
The movie marks the beginning of mass social and political change that was intensified by World War II. With countless men at war, Australian women were able to enter and overtake male roles in the workforce. As a result, Feminism was strengthening. Along with the Women’s movement into the workforce, Robert Menzie’s 16-year service as the Prime Minister created the ‘Menzies Era’, where great Australian change has said to be recorded. In such a conservative era, political and social revolutions were difficult to adjust to, usually lengthening to process of change. The inability to adapt to frequent changes within society is what may have defined Australia as a nation, and led to the creation of a different national identity from its roots, of British colonization. Alas, during these political changes, Australia was a great conservative and Catholic nation, that believed in the dominance of white culture; Evident in their policies such as The White Australia policy and the policy of Assimilation.
The use of real news footage reinforces the pre-existing national identity that constitutes a certain national pride of mate-ship, and honour, especially during times of war. But during time of war, issues of propaganda are also raised. Screening Australianness is debatable in terms of ethical journalism, how public opinion was formed via manipulation, or if public opinion was reported accurately. Considering the newfound era of television, when and how does Australian news coverage shift from the notion of entertainment?
Along with Newsreels, Women’s Weekly gives great historical significance to the beginning of new age Australian Media. But newsreels were shown in cinemas before feature films and the introduction of television, making it the only source
Newsfront (1978) is about the commencement of Australian television. It notions the changing times; the context before the television was a household object.
The movie marks the beginning of mass social and political change that was intensified by World War II. With countless men at war, Australian women were able to enter and overtake male roles in the workforce. As a result, Feminism was strengthening. Along with the Women’s movement into the workforce, Robert Menzie’s 16-year service as the Prime Minister created the ‘Menzies Era’, where great Australian change has said to be recorded. In such a conservative era, political and social revolutions were difficult to adjust to, usually lengthening to process of change. The inability to adapt to frequent changes within society is what may have defined Australia as a nation, and led to the creation of a different national identity from its roots, of British colonization. Alas, during these political changes, Australia was a great conservative and Catholic nation, that believed in the dominance of white culture; Evident in their policies such as The White Australia policy and the policy of Assimilation.
The use of real news footage reinforces the pre-existing national identity that constitutes a certain national pride of mate-ship, and honour, especially during times of war. But during time of war, issues of propaganda are also raised. Screening Australianness is debatable in terms of ethical journalism, how public opinion was formed via manipulation, or if public opinion was reported accurately. Considering the newfound era of television, when and how does Australian news coverage shift from the notion of entertainment?
Along with Newsreels, Women’s Weekly gives great historical significance to the beginning of new age Australian Media. But newsreels were shown in cinemas before feature films and the introduction of television, making it the only source