SANCTUARY
Australia, 90 minutes, Colour.
Steve Bisley, Arky Michael.
Directed by Robin de Crespigny.
Sanctuary is adapted for the screen from his play by David Williamson. Williamson has had a number of films made from his plays (Stork, The Removalists, Don's Party, Partners, The Perfectionist, The Club, Brilliant Lies). This film, however, is a two-hander, performed by Steve Bisley and Arky Michael.
There are some opening shots of the skyline of Sydney and a ferry ride on Sydney Harbour. However, the action takes place within the mansion owned by a journalist, retired from the United States, played by Bisley. A PhD student, played by Michael, comes to visit to verify pieces of information for his thesis. A verbal confrontation ensues, the argument about integrity, the reporting of genocides, the power of the media magnates, selling out to the media for fame. This contrasts with the resentfulness of the PhD candidate and his bitterness towards his subject. The film is in three acts, the initial confrontation culminating in violence, a pause while the student ponders what to do after beating the journalist. Then comes a recovery, the journalist in pain and unable to see, gradually regaining his sight (with the use of the symbolic image of blindness and sight). There follows then the possibility of some kind of reconciliation and collaboration, only for the resentment and the violence to burst out again.
The performances are particularly good. Williamson's dialogue is very serious-minded confronting serious issues. The film is directed by Robin de Crespigny.
1. David Williamson's play, adapted for the screen, a two-hander, reliance on verbal interchange?
2. The opening sequences of Sydney, the harbour, the setting, the ferry? The house and its exteriors, the interiors where the action takes place? The variety of moods in the musical score?
3. The title, the explanation of a place to retire to for Bob, for John? The sanctuary for Bob, John trapped within and it becoming a fortress? The issue of personal security? The retreat from the world?
4. The film as a two-hander, the cinematic techniques used: close-ups, framing the two and their interactions, the motion of the characters themselves, the mobile camera, editing? The overall effect - cinematic and/or claustrophobic?
5. The verbal quality of the film? The dramatic interchanges? The strong themes? Holding audiences' concentration and attention?
6. The opening with Bob, his home, relaxed, reading the manuscript and his negative reactions?
7. The contrast with John, his shabby appearance, taking the ferry, on the ferry, the walk, arrival at Bob's home?
8. The importance of the house itself, its lavish style, the impersonal ringing of the bell and the door opening, the importance of security and codes, a fortress? The lavish style of the house and the use of the various rooms for the action?
9. The interaction of the two characters, their intellectual positions and stances? The explanation of their personal and family backgrounds? The continually shifting emphases? Where did audience sympathies lie? Shifting sympathies? The shifting viewpoints? Williamson's viewpoint?
10. The portrait of John: his appearance, self-consciousness, shabby clothes, the comment on his appearing gay? His parents, the ageing parents, the only child, overhearing their comments about how difficult children were and how difficult to love him? His being bullied at school, being raped by the 15-year-olds at the age of 11, his violent reaction and the severe injuries to one of his attackers? Going to university, the academic background of his parents? His thesis, its topic? Adviser and his wife telling him not to go to visit King? His commitment to his family? The background influences on his approach, attitudes, his hostility and resentment?
11. Bob, age and experience, the American accent? The background of Gilgandra, the youngest of five, the loving family, his always seeking attention as a child? Work? His book on the CIA, possible integrity? The visits to Central America, Cambodia? The friendship with the generals in Guatemala, going to the massacre, being given the gun, being threatened with his own life, the women victims, his inability to kill anyone? The generals laughing at him? His not reporting the genocides? His work as a journalist, on TV, the Emmy awards? (1987 Emmy and the key to his security system?) His ex-wives, his love with the woman, the gift of the car, the thugs in Los Angeles killing her? His decision not to renew his contract, his having millions, the return to Sydney? The relaxed and hedonistic lifestyle?
12. The stages of the revelation of character, the dramatic interchanges, revelations of dramatic points?
13. The three acts: the initial talk culminating in violence, the quiet and the recovery and the possibilities? Further talk, aggression to final violence? The importance of Bob being injured and unconscious and regaining energy? John and his aggression, trapped in the house, getting weaker? The final recovery and the outburst trapping him for life?
14. The themes explored: Australian nationalism, nationality, attitudes towards the world? Responsibilities? The attack on the United States and its fascism, money and greed? The role of the media - and the examples given e.g. CNN for the Gulf War? Power? Poverty in the world, genocide? The media and its responsibilities? The effect of atrocities on humanity? The contrast with John's point of view, ferocious moral stances, resentment, his criticism of the bow tie affair and the affectation?
15. The two self-made men? The poor man becoming a world celebrity? The well-off bourgeois man and his hostilities?
16. The violence, John and his outburst, the effect on him? On Bob? The theme of blindness and recovering sight? John and his not ringing emergency, his preoccupation about himself, his family, not wanting to go to jail? His getting the painkillers but reacting against Bob ringing? The seeming relaxation and humanity emerging?
17. Bob and his deal, collaborating with the book, John concerned about his family, the money given to charity, his change of heart, his anger at Bob's turning against him? The ultimate violence and death? The long final tracking shot and his collapsed future?
18. What was the audience left with in terms of understanding, human nature, themes of communication and media, world power, violence? Personal violence and its eruption? Who was the better man, Bob or John?
