Learning Intentions; students are learning to…
- Understand some of the features and qualities of New Zealand films from the 1970s.
- Relate qualities from films of the 1970s to New Zealand society at this time.
Success Criteria; students will know they have achieved the learning intentions when they can…
- Provide credible answers to open ended questions which relate this film to the time in which it was created.
- Complete a brief analysis of one of the film’s characters.
Relevant Footage:
Part One, Mass Media
Film:
Sleeping Dogs (extract)
Other Resources:
For synopsis, credits and reviews see Sleeping Dogs
Introduction:
This was one of the first significant feature films made in New Zealand. In many ways it reflected an American style of film-making but also added uniquely New Zealand elements which would become typical of many New Zealand films from the time. It was directed by Roger Donaldson with a screenplay by Ian Mune and Arthur Baysting from the novel by CK Stead.
Smith (Sam Neil) is a cuckolded husband who has left his wife and daughters to make a fresh start only to be drawn into conflict between rebellious Maori and an authoritarian government. The prime minister is keen to capitalise on the unrest to advance his government’s position and brings in outside military assistance in the form of Willoughby (Warren Oates)
The film features rioting with scenes foreshadowing the 1981 Springbok Tour protests and the totalitarian regime perhaps alludes to Muldoon era government and Cold War fears.
Lesson Outline
Watch the extract and have students brainstorm: the themes and moods: Anger rebellion, violence, state control, loss of innocence, isolation.
Discuss/ have students write answers to the following questions:
How realistic are the scenes in this extract?
eg. Simple and somewhat crude production but still giving a sense of raw anger and violence.
To what extent is this film similar to and different from American Action films?
What possible reasons might citizens have to riot and rebel against the government?
eg. An authoritarian or harsh government, a protest generation gone too far, a reaction against anti-war protests and the peace generation?
What sort of country is portrayed in this film and does it relate to anything they have learnt about the 1970s so far?
eg. An emerging youth culture which is anti-authoritarian. Individualistic rebellion (which, at a stretch, could even be related to UK punk culture). Unrest in the cities which is threatening the traditional order of New Zealand (also seen in Pukemanu). A sense of New Zealand still finding its feet in the world and the mixed benefits of American influences.
Are the themes in this film similar to contemporary fears of terrorism and what is believed by some, to be an overreaction to it?
See The Film Archive's Feature Filmography Sleeping Dogs for a contemporary discussion of these themes.
Use the template in Resource Three or a similar organiser and have students complete it either individually or in pairs to complete a character study of either Smith (Sam Neil), a protester, riot police, the prime minister. What might be the motivations for the character’s actions? Who do they sympathise with?
