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The Big House (2000)

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Learning to read

This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

After discovering that his cellmate and ‘protector’ Williams (Tony Martin) can’t read, Sonny (Kick Gurry) teaches him.

Curator’s notes

by Kate Matthews

In the opening scenes of this film, Williams offers Sonny protection – then makes it clear that he expects sexual favours in return. Those scenes build expectations of a harrowing, harsh and traumatic drama – but in later scenes such as this one, director Rachel Ward complicates the relationship between predator and victim. She shows a developing bond between the two men and while the story is still quite harsh and bleak, it is often played for laughs – or, at least, chuckles. Here there is humour in the contrast between the recipes and stories of society glamour that the pair read and their actual situation.

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australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.

All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions.

When you access australianscreen you agree that:

  • You may retrieve materials for information only.
  • You may download materials for your personal use or for non-commercial educational purposes, but you must not publish them elsewhere or redistribute clips in any way.
  • You may embed the clip for non-commercial educational purposes including for use on a school intranet site or a school resource catalogue.
  • The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.

All other rights reserved.

ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

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