DRIFTING

Australia, 1975, 40 minutes, Colour.
Directed by James Ricketson.

Drifting is a short feature by James Ricketson. Ricketson made several shorts and TV documentaries during his study period and then turned his attention to this small feature. He later made the feature Third Person Plural, an exploration of human relationships which was somewhat avant-garde and relied much on discussion. While there is discussion about the human condition in this short film, the strength is in the characterisations and the interaction. It is one of many short features made with the auspices of creative funds and government aid during the '70s.

1. The impact of the film? For what audience was it made? Its reflecting the '70s and its issues? How well were these dramatised in a brief space of time? The quality of this film as a short feature?

2. The impact with the short running time? The cast? The work of film and television school students? An experimental feature? The director's background in documentary-making and television?

3. The quality of the writing: the delineation of the characters, the sketching of situations briefly and persuasively, the quality of interaction? The atmosphere of talk, the focus on talking heads - to what purpose? The goals of exploration of themes and characters? The drug background and its effect on minds, outlook, behaviour? The use of journeys? The world of study, commitment? Commitment and clashes? Jealousy, help, freedom?

4. The focus on Steven: his age, art, home background, drugs, Helen and his relationship with her, the quality of regard for her, live-in? The meeting with Guy and his effect on Helen and Steven? Friendship, love, jealousy? The nights out and the truth? His letting Helen go? Her return and the visit to the beach? The second attempt at success? Going on the trip: the decision for Steven to go on? What was he leaving behind, what would his trip mean for him in terms of experience, discovery? How well did Steven represent drifting - the focus of the film's title? What values did Steven represent in Australian urban society of the '70s? His future?

5. The contrast with the portrait of Helen: the world of study, her meeting with Steven and their discussions about art, life? Did she love Steven? The quality of their relationship as she lived in? How did she help Steven? Her statements of her own needs, freedom, her controlling of others? Guy? Her relationships with other men, her lies? Her returning to Steven and clashing with him? Her decision to go, come back? Possibility of a reconciliation? Why could she not go on the trip? Her work, her future? As symbolising the values of the young city woman of the '70s?

6. The contrast with Guy - the drug culture, his wandering and drifting, his rudeness, his work, friendship, self-preoccupation, his going away, coming back when he liked? His presence on the trip - and his inability to go further on the trip? Did the film make a judgment on him? His representing
the drifting style of the '70s?

7. How well did the film use Sydney and its locations, background? The style of young people in Sydney, their drifting? A counter-culture? Steven and his art, selling paintings, the world of study? This kind of society and
its authenticity, pretentiousness?

8. How well did the film explore themes - the talking heads, the amount of reflective discussion in the film? How did this blend with character drawing, creative tensions and relationships? Hopes? A short film of reflecting a period, insight?