POLITE SOCIETY

UK, 2023, 103 minutes, Colour.

Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya, Nira Buche, Seraphina Beh, Ella Bruccoleri, Jenny Funnell, Shona Babayeki, Shoby Kapoor.

Directed by Nida Manzoor.

The title really doesn’t give much away. But, as we enter into the world of British Pakistani families, we realise that, while there is some politeness, under the surface there are all kinds of tensions.

Quite a lot of commentators make reference to the 2002 sports film, Bend it like Beckham, a British Indian family in the outer suburbs of London, the daughter of the family eager to play football. This one might have been called Bend it like Bruce Lee. And, the action has moved further into central London, now in Shepherd’s Bush. Another film by the Beckham director, Gurinda Chadha, was Bride and Prejudice, and some of the dialogue here refers to Jane Austen. But it is very much Jane Austen with martial arts.

This is very much a women’s film. Writer, main cast, scarcely a male character to be found – the tall dark and handsome doctor (but?), A nice father seen now and again, a bodyguard, a marriage official, the server in a diner… That’s about all. We are immersed in the women’s world.

However, the central character is only 16, Ria, Priya Kansara, a lively presence, self-confident, trying to shape the world as she wants it, ambitions for her older sister, getting into all kinds of tangles – but, at the martial arts classes, having her own video channel with her moves, determined to fulfil her life’s ambition, to be a stunt woman.

There have been quite a number of films taking audiences into the British Pakistani world, for instance, What’s Love Got to do with it. This is the world of arranged marriages, but this time it takes, ultimately, a more sinister tone. However, on the surface there is love at first sight, the older sister, something of a slacker, being charmed by the doctor. He, however, is devoted to his dominant, dominating, malevolent mother. Ria is against the wedding for all kinds of (wrong) reasons. She is determined to sabotage it, relying on her close friends from school.

Actually, while the audience is drawn into this unusual world, it is all rather absurd in its way. However, it is making its points through the absurdity, Ria and her the idol of the martial arts instructor her elaborate plans to undermine the wedding, smear the groom, clash with his mother – and engage in all kinds of martial arts manoeuvres (even with the malevolent mother!).

Not exactly a must-see entertainment. But, Ria is quite a persuasive character in her own way, even when she exasperates her family and us, so that we are ready for the big climax, the sabotage even while we watch Ria’s wedding dance, the elaborate clothes, the ceremonies. And this is not a spoiler, Ria will get her chance as a stunt woman and the final scene of the film, ironically, has Ria and her sister in a diner, very British, eating burgers and chips.

And all this makes us wonder about the title, Polite Society.

1. The title? The references? British society? British Pakistani society?
2. The London settings, Shepherd’s Bush, Pakistani families, homes, lifestyles? The rich? The middle-class?
3. The martial arts atmosphere, Ria and her ambitions to be a stunt woman, her classes, not always successful? Her going into action during the film? The various fights? Especially the final confrontation with the mother of the groom? The martial arts giving the action and comedy for particular flavour? Ria and her martial arts videos, Lena helping her, rehearsals and action?
4. The family, mother and father, the quiet father and his work, care for his daughters? The mother, her friends with the other mothers? The prospect for their daughters?
5. Ria, age 16, at school, her friends, her being taunted by Kovacs? The teacher and her attitudes towards the rear and her work? The contrast with Lena, older, going to art school, dropping out? Drifting?
6. Ria, her idealism, her ambition to be a stunt woman, her idol and emailing her? (And the final happy ending with a reply?) Ria and her idea of how life or to be, especially for Lena, thinking that she would be a great artist, pressurising her, pressurising her parents? Relying on her friends for support?
7. Salim and his mother, his being a successful doctor, place in society, possibilities for marriage, all the girls wanting him? Salim and his choice of Lena, the outings, the greater friendship, the bonding – and Ria’s hostility? The dominance of Raheela on her son?
8. Ria and the chapters of the film in wanting to undermine the relationship, smearing his reputation, the condoms? Spying and interfering? Stealing the laptop, finding nothing incriminating? The photo of his first wife in the sad story of her dying in childbirth – and the later realisation that this was the motivation for his experiments? Going too far, being denounced?
9. The engagement, the preparation for the wedding? Ria and the dress – and her dance at the wedding?
10. The plan, testing the chloroform, Ria and her friends as part of the staff, the radio contact, the dance, the trolley, the friends, the bodyguard at the door, the getting in, the chloroform, taking Lena out?
11. Ria and Raheela, the clashes, Ria and the basement, the discovery of the laboratory, the fact that women at the celebration of Eid were all secretly tested, the mother and the son, their plans, the mother to clone herself, and her devoted son?
12. Audience response to Salim, tall dark and handsome, charming with Lena? The ceremony, his dependence on his mother? The revelation of the truth?
13. The farcical aspects of the crisis at the wedding, the girls, Kovacs joining in, her car, the other girls? Ria and her fighting with Write healer? The denunciation of Saleem?
14. The aftermath, Lena and her future, rear facing reality, that she could not continually shape people’s lives according to her ideas? And the reply from the stunt woman!
15. And the finale with the two sisters reconciled and eating burgers and chips at the diner!

CONFESS, FLETCH

US, 2022, 98 minutes, Colour.

Jon Hamm, Roy Wood Jr, Ayden Mayeri, Marcia Gay Harden, Lorenza Izzo, Kyle MacLachlan, Annie Mumolo, John Slattery, Lucy Punch.

Directed by Greg Motolla.

In the mid-80s, there were two film versions of novels by Gregory McDonald featuring his central character, Fletch. Fletch was an investigative journalist. And he was played, often in his very droll manner by Chevy Chase, giving the impression of his being a touch sleepy, yet charming.

Here we are, almost four decades later, this time with Jon Hamm playing Fletch. He doesn’t have the laid-back charm of Chevy Chase which was so individual and distinctive. However, he does play with something of the laid-back, touches of irony, a blend of the romantic hero as well as the private eye.

The initial action takes place in Italy, Fletch involved with a young woman, her aristocratic father having been conducted and a ransom demanded, paintings from his collection, including a Picasso. Fletch goes back to Boston to investigate the case, finding a dead woman in the apartment that he has been given, the mysterious owner appearing and disappearing. There are also several women connected with the mysterious owner, to rather kooky characters, and girlfriend with a scene where she absentmindedly and carelessly cooks, the other his wife, Fletch pretending to interview her for a high-class magazine.

The police are represented by Ray Wood Jr and Ayden Mayeri, he going to sleep on the job because of having to mind the baby at home, she, rather awkward, but better at finding out information – but, comically, not surveillance, Fletch always givin for a high-class magazine? G her the slip.

There is also the Countess, played by Marcia Gay Harden with a broken Italian accent. And the art dealer played by Kyle MacLachlan. He seems an obvious suspect – and he is.

Comic touches, especially with the editor of the paper and Fletch insinuating himself, his own investigations, a final confrontation with the killer – and a somewhat sardonic ending with Fletch distributing some of the artworks to various characters but keeping the Picasso for himself as he sails off into the sunset.

1. Memories of Chevy Chase in the 1980s? Gregory MacDonald’s novels? Murder mystery, investigation, twists and turns?
2. The settings, Rome and the Italian atmosphere, Boston, apartments, the streets, art dealers, police precincts? The musical score?
3. Jon Hamm as Fletch? His own style, irony, touch of the laconic, relationships, investigations, on the spot, intruding? Accused of murder, the police, solving the case, the final intrigue with the Count, the artworks? The solution, the aftermath, his retirement, the Picasso?
4. The situation in Italy, fletch and his reputation, the encounter with Angela, the situation with her father, the artworks, stolen, the ransom? The sexual liaison with Angela? Her staying in Italy, fletch and his return to Boston? The apartment, the owner, his appearing and disappearing, the dead woman?
5. Fletch, the apartment, the dead woman, her identity? The police, Monroe and his style, suspicions, in command, yet sleeping on the job, at home, looking after the baby? The contrast with Griz, small, awkward and tripping, yet a good detective, supplying information? Keeping surveillance on Fletch, his continually giving her the slip?
6. Fletch, his own investigations, the issue of the paintings, his detective work? With the rather kooky girlfriend and her bad cooking? The interview with the wife, his pretending to conduct an interview Going to the paper, the tough editor, offering an exclusive? Going to the art dealer, their interactions? The encounter with the Countess, her relationship with her kidnapped husband, issue of the ransom, the tension with her daughter? Moving in on Fletch?
7. Angela arriving, with Sylvia, her own investigations, Fletch following her? And the police and their continued detection?
8. Fletch, his surveillance, the boat, the old captain and their talk? The paintings?
9. The final setup, the confrontation, the art dealer, the boat, the paintings, the threats, shooting the old captain, the confrontation?
10. Sorting out the paintings, Fletch and Angela and the break, the revelation about Fletch as part in the kidnapping, the setup, the paintings?
11. Fletch and his distributing the paintings, keeping the Picasso, his retirement?

Shield and Heart, some Chevalier alumni stories

Good news stories about past students from our colleges are an encouragement for our MSC education ministry.

Eliza, Paralympian athlete

Wednesday night at our senior academic awards of excellence we were privileged to have Eliza Stankovic AM, Paralympian athlete, and advocate of Mengicocal Australia, as our guest of honour. Eliza received the Esprit du Chevalier Medal, which is the highest level of recognition Chevalier College can bestow on those that display the ‘spirit of the knight’ by making a positive impact on the lives of others. Eliza responded with humility and graciousness and shared an inspirational message to the audience of students, parents, and college staff.

Eliza, wearing the awarded medal, commented that she has finally received that elusive GOLD!

Freyja, movie star

This week we were thrilled to hear from past student Freyja who has just completed her first feature film - and its playing at the Empire Bowral, opening today.

"Recently I completed my first feature film, titled “Everything in Between”, where I am playing a leading role and wanted to let the school know because so much of my love for acting had its genesis at Chev. The movie deals with complex social issues including mental health, family dysfunction and substance abuse.

It feels pretty special to me that this film is showing in the place I grew up.

Chevalier College has many deep and important memories for me. I attended the college as a quiet and creative student for the years 2001-2006. I studied drama all the way to the HSC and played Bilbo Baggins in the theatrical production of The Hobbit many years ago, which was a life shifting event for me because I never saw myself (someone who identified as quiet and shy) as having the ability to score the lead part in the school play." Freyja Benjamin

The Kerrins Wing

We had a lovely surprise visit yesterday from the niece and nephew of Fr J M Kerrins.

Julie (now Connelly) and twin brother Mark (Kerrins) took time out of their visit to Bowral to pop into the college. Fr J M Kerrins, or as Julie and Mark refer to him, Uncle Mort, was the MSC Provincial Superior who had a significant role in securing the purchase of the Riversdale property which is Chevalier College.

Pictured are Julie and Mark in front of the Fr J M Kerrins Wing opened in 1967 or as we now know it as “C Block”.

John Fahey, the Fahey Building

The Education and Sport Centre was constructed as a large multi purpose hall in 2019 and features an indoor basketball stadium with a mezzanine spectator viewing area and other ancillary teaching and meeting rooms.

Chevalier College has also created the John Fahey Scholarship and awarded the first recipient, who commenced at the school this year. As the local member at both State and Federal levels for many years, any constituents or community supporters of Mr Fahey are able to request an invitation and are encouraged to do so.

Principal Chris McDermott said that John Fahey was described widely in the media as being popular with members from all parties in parliament. John was a genuine man of the people and we are proud as a college to call him one of our own.”

Mr Fahey was enrolled as a bursary student at Chevalier College in 1958 and graduated in the Class of 1962. He was a prefect and captain of the First XI cricket as well as being a member of the acclaimed First XV rugby team coached by Fr Tyson Doneley OAM.

Our students from Blackburn, MSC Vocations outreach

Vincent at the brochure desk

Trieu, Daniel, Hoa and Nang present a fine image

At St Timothy’s parish, Forest Hill

A colourful gathering

And a big turnout.

Celebrating Phil Hicks MSC and Bob Irwin MSC – 50 Years of Priesthood.

We suggested last week to watch this space! Though the actual date is May 12^th, there was a celebration Mass at Randwick parish (Bob’s home parish) on Saturday May 6^th. (And, sadly, we note that John Rate, RIP, would have celebrated his Golden Jubilee of priesthood.)

We remember Phil’s ministry in education, formation and, latterly in parish work. He holds the record for serving in all our colleges, Downlands, Chevalier, Monivae, St John’s and Daramalan – and to top this, Hagita and Ulapia Minor Seminary.

We remember Bob’s ministry in education, staff at Downlands, Principal at our colleges, Chevalier, St John’s and Daramalan. In covid times, he has added long stays at Monivae.

(No one else has served in all our Australian colleges except for Brother Jim Scully MSC)

Sydney MSC joined the Mass as well as Indonesian chaplain, Handoko, celebrating a Silver Jubilee. Recently ordained, Kenji Konda MSC, was deacon.

And what more could anyone ask for but a papal blessing!

New, enlarged: Some Significant May Days for the Chevalier Family

May, an Our Lady of the Sacred Heart month.

NOTE:

this is an amplified version of Significant Days, combining the list made originally by Cor Novum, Issoudun, now with the addition of dates from Father Jan Bovenmars MSC’s book, Jules Chevalier, Daily Readings. His book was published in 1993 – so, more recent just from all around the congregation and the Chevalier family would be most welcome.

22 new Significant Days have been added.

A reminder, May 6^th, that the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Randwick was opened in 1888, only a few years after the arrival of the first MSC in Sydney. The parish in those days extended to Botany.

1 May, 1863

An article on Our Lady of the Sacred Heart appears in the Jesuit publication, "Messager du Sacré-Coeur", founded by Fr. Henri Ramière, SJ. It is the first presentation of this new title for Mary.

1 May, 1883

Canonical erection of three MSC communities in Peru: Lima (Seminiario Nuestra Senora del Sagrado Corazon), Acari, and Puquio.

2 May, 1864

An article on Our Lady of the Sacred Heart appears in the “Annals de Saint Sacrament” (May 1864).

2 May, 1950

Father Harry Reid MSC (AUS), arrives in Japan to set up a mission in conjunction with Father Archibald Bryson MSC, Army Chaplain.

3 May 1928

Mother Liboria Loeper, Provincial of the American Province MSC Sisters, arrived in Sydney to begin an Australian foundation that would be of support to the established Mission in Papua New Guinea. 

4 May, 1923

The Vicariate of the Marshall Islands is united with the Vicariate of the Caroline Islands and the Marianas, and is entrusted to the Society of Jesus. The German MSC had to leave the Marshall Islands in 1919.

4 May, 1965

First canonical erection of an MSC House in the Dominican Republic at San Jose de las Matas, Santiago, Castillo.

5 May, 1894

Erection of the “the Northern Province” of the MSC (Holland, Belgium, and Germany-Austria). It has three houses: in Borgerhaut-Antwerp, Belgium, Tilburg, Holland, and Salzburg-Liefering, Austria.

6 May, 1876

Frank Natale MSC, PP Watertown (and made his novitiate at Douglas Park)

Watertown, New York, arrival of Father Durin, superior of the new community, with two scholastics.

6 May, 1883

The shrine of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at Sittard, Netherlands is elevated to a Basilica by Pope Leo XIII. Today, it is the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the Netherlands.

            

6 May, 1888

In Randwick, Australia, the church built by Father Michael Tierney, is dedicated to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Today, it is the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Australia.
  

7 May, 1892

On his way to Yule Island to Europe, Bishop Verius arrives in Sydney. His confreres receive him well – and sending right away to the tailor and the barber.

10 May, 1887

The first team of missionaries leaves France for Quito, Ecuador, under the guidance of Father Morisseau, general assistant.

10 May, 1888

The first MSC Fathers Edouard Bontemps and Joseph Leray, and Brother Conrad Weber arrive in Kiribati! Fr. Leray would later become the first Bishop of Gilbert Islands.
          

10 May, 1889

Erection of the Vicariate of New Pomerania (Rabaul, PNG), entrusted to the MSC. Father Henry Verius is appointed as its first Vicar, soon afterwards replaced by Father Louis Coupe.

12 May, 1931

Father Eugène Meyer dies in Issoudun. He was the Superior General of the MSC from 1905 to 1920, the second after Father Jules Chevalier.

12 May, 1991

Ambrose Kiapseni MSC is ordained first PNG Bishop of Kavieng.

14 May, 1926

Father Pierre-Marie Tréand, founder and first Provincial of the Australian MSC Province, dies this day.

17 May, 1977

Death of Father Timothy McGrath MSC (Australia) who worked with Eileen O’Connor, in the founding of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor.

18 May, 1856

Still early days of the MSC foundation. Father Charles Piperon joins the budding community of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, in Issoudun. Two days later, the Archbishop of Bourges appoints him as Prison Chaplain at Issoudun.

21 May 1928.

At Station Pier, Melbourne, she welcomed Srs Eulalia, Aquilina, Maurilia, Zaccharia, and Margareta. Their first destination was Rupertswood, Sunbury where they provided practical support to the Salesians. 

21 May, 1899

 First vows of Brother Robert South, first brother of the Australian Province.

21 May, 1910

 The four houses in the United States (Watertown, Natick, Casanovia, Onowa) are united into a Quasi-Province.

22 May, 1839

Jules Chevalier is 15 years old. On this day, he received the sacrament of Confirmation at Richelieu. He received his First Holy Communion three years earlier on 29 May, 1836, again in Richelieu.

23 May, 1879

Blessing of the church of OLSH at Piazza Navona by the Cardinal Vicar of Rome.

23 May, 1970

 The MSC Section in Rio De Janeiro, started by the Dutch Province in 1946, becomes a Region.

24 May, 1886

First Australian OLSH postulant: Sister Margaret Mary Sweeney.

24 May, 1911

Arrival of the first two MSC in Brazil from Holland.

24 May, 1912

The first MSC houses in England and Ireland are united into “the Section of the British Isles”.

26 May, 1860

Henri Verjus is born in Oleggio, in Italy.

30 May, 1945

Father L.Beeckman MSC (Belgium) returns home from the Dachau concentration camp.

31 May, 1865

The feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is publicly celebrated for the first time.

By 1872 the feast is celebrated worldwide in 950 churches or chapels.
For quite some time, this feast was held on this date, but today, globally, the feast is observed on the last Saturday in May.

31 May, 1868

The number of members of the Confraternity of OLSH reaches 2 million.

31 May, 1919

The first six postulants into the new Papuan Congregation of the Handmaids of the Lord at Kabuna.

Chevalier Family, First Friday, Laudato Si program

Our Provincial Chapter made a Statement about our commitment to Laudato Si and the issues of environment and ecological conversion. The Chevalier Family’s Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation committee continues its 2023 Twelve First Friday Steps towards the Laudato Si Goals.

CHAPTER STATEMENT. Laudato Si’

• The Chapter recommends, through the existing Laudato Si’ Committee, that the Province join the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and communicate resources and challenges to live with greater commitment. This is a sign of our individual and communal ecological conversion.

Chapter, this time the Philippines Province

With an MSC General Chapter in September, Provinces all over the congregation are having their own Chapters. In the last six months, we have reported on Chapters in Indonesia, PNG, the Pacific.

From the Philippines: We would like to extend our gratitude for untiringly co-journeying with us through your prayers. We also adhere your continuous support and prayers as we make flesh of whatever had been the matters during the chapter.

Thanks a lot Chris Chaplin for a wonderful Chapter. The pray-listen-talk dynamic in the process of communal wisdom was very enriching.

Efrenfajardo Fajardo acknowledges the Facebook photos

Thanks, Chris, for sharing some shots of the just concluded Philippine Chapter. Hope to see in the coming years. God bless you as you continue helping the different MSC provinces in our efforts to make The Sacred Heart be known and loved everywhere.

EVIL DEAD RISE

Ireland/New Zealand, 2023, 97 minutes, Colour.

Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Nell Fisher, Gabriel Echols, Anne-Maree Thomas, Jayden Daniels, Richard Crouchley, Mirabai Pease, Billy Reynolds-McCarthy.

Directed by Lee Cronin.

The Evil Dead franchise began its long history in 1981. 20-year-olds at that time who enjoyed this macabre horror film are now in their early 60s! Which means that the Evil Dead films and television series have quite a large following. Which means then another variation on the theme for 2023.

The initial films were American, set in the United States, in the backwoods. Many audiences will be surprised to find that this is an Irish production, the writer-director, Lee Cronin, working in the Irish film and television industries. But, filming was done in New Zealand. And, looking at the backgrounds of the cast, we find that the four principles are all Australian actors and that the supporting cast are all from New Zealand. Which means the demand that they all acquire American accents!

This is definitely not a film for any audience which react badly to the sight of blood on the screen, let alone blood and gore. Galore rhymes with gore and, a key part of any review is to state that The Evil Rise has blood and gore galore. Often very graphic, sadistic, working on the principle that more, even much more, is not only desirable but essential.

So, this is a film for Evil Dead devotees, fans of those horror film festivals which more and more abound. But, this one is not just small-budget independent. It comes from Warner Brothers, New Line productions, produced by the originator, the director, Sam Raimi, and the initial star of the series, Bruce Campbell.

It is all adrenaline-pumping from the earliest scene, the audience flying like a drone through the forests, eventually to a lake, where a young woman is reading Wuthering Heights (there are some quotes from Emily Brontë), a loudmouth belching young man, and a mysterious young woman who suddenly spews (a lot of this throughout the film, insects, blood…) And we see that she must be one of the evil dead.

Then announcement: One Day Earlier.

In fact, most of the action takes place this day earlier, especially during the hours of the night. It all seems all right at first, Ellie, at home with her three children, living on a high floor of a condemned building, about to move out. Then her sister, Beth, who has been touring with bands in whom her sister denounces as the Groupie, returns home, trying to reconcile. Then an earthquake, quite vivid. And what happens is that one of those gates to hell (remember the Amityville house) opens up, a basement, a mysterious book whose cover absorbs blood, sinister illustrations, and a collection of records which the young boy plays, from 1923, a group of priests (the writer-director is Irish), reading from the book of the dead which takes over and destroys them all.

No surprise in the plot development – but plenty of surprises in how the demons take over the members of the family, the dire consequences, the violent attempts to destroy the demons – shotguns, knives, and, of course, a chainsaw.

For fans, relishing how it is all turning out, have 70 minutes or more of this terrible night.

And, as a kind of epilogue, the narrative returns to the characters whom we met in the prologue, at the lake, and have one of them transforms into one of the Evil Dead.

So, not for everyone, the director serving up all that the fans could desire – or more!

DIGGER

Greece, 2020, 104 minutes, Colour.

Vangelis Mourikis, Argyris Pandazaras, Sofia Kokkali.

Directed by Giorgis Grigorakis.

This drama about her father and son is set in the forests of northern Greece. There is very attractive photography of the mountain scenery, the forests. But, it is also a story of progress, development, the clearing of forests, scenes of many falling trees, roads being built, mines and industry being set up.

And, this has an effect on the central character, Nikitas, who lives on his farm, selling produce to friends who run a stall, involved in protests against the developers. He has lived by himself, his wife abandoning him 20 years earlier, taking their young son. The film focuses on his simple way of life, caring for himself, the chickens, the horse on the farm.

Suddenly, his son arrives, telling him that his wife is dead and that she has left half the property to her son. He is a mechanic, skilled at motorcycle racing which he indulges in in the town. The father does not want to speak to the son, but, gradually, they have to communicate, the issues of the will, the son having a debt on his house, wanting money to pay it off. In the meantime, he learns to use the elaborate digging equipment on the developments.

He meets a young woman working in the bar and they develop a friendship, her being able to speak the truth to him.

Ultimately, there is potential tragedy, the father caught in quicksand, the son trying to get him out with branches and logs but failing, then getting the equipment to haul his father out – bringing about some kind of reconciliation (although we have seen the father with his friends in the town trying to work out an equitable settlement because of the will), and a stance against the developers.

1. The title, the land, the soil, trees and fruit and nuts, the hard life, digging in the soil? In the visuals of this throughout the film, and the finale and the quicksand?
2. The beautiful photography of nature, northern Greece, the mountains, forests? The contrast with the developments, uprooting the trees, roads, mining? The musical score?
3. Nikitas’ story, the initial rain, the landslide, the effect on him, danger, his fruit and nuts, going to the store, the conversations, into the town, the anger at the developers, planned demonstrations? His way of life, his age? The background to his life, his wife, leaving him, his son, his wife taking the boy, 20 years, his phone calls to the family but not speaking?
4. Life in this area of Greece, traditions, developments, the clashes, destruction of the forests, development of roads, mines, heavy equipment – and later being seen in use, Johnny becoming a driver, and the use of the equipment in the finale?
5. Johnny, his arrival, the bike, initially misdirected, meeting his father, nonrecognition, realisations? Nikita and his not speaking to his son, packing the utility, the produce? Eventually speaking, Johnny and his skill with the bike, the races and demonstrations, the young men in the town? Nikita complaining about the noise disturbing the horses, the chickens? Their gradually talking, the meals together, reliving the past, some happy memories, singing? The reality of the will, Nikita not knowing of the death of his wife, her conditions, 50-50, Johnny and his plans, the debt on his house, wanting the money, sales?
6. Johnny in the town, the encounter with Mary, the conversations, her influence? The young men, the bikes, the games of pool, siding with the developers? Johnny and his joining them, learning how to manipulate the equipment?
7. Nikita, the daily routines, the hens, the horse, the noise and the hens not playing? The confrontations with Johnny? The discussions with the men at the store, later meeting them, the issue of the Will, the finances, their plan?
8. The buildup to the climax, the rains, Nikita and his antagonism, Johnny and his attitude towards his father, the episode in the quicksand, Johnny with the branches and logs to help his father, the father almost submerging, Johnny getting the equipment, saving him?
9. The credibility of the reconciliation, happy ending, the future?