Evictions. Richard Lowenstein. 1979. Documentary.

Format: 16mm / Sound: Mono / Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Based on actual events, this short documentary portrays the harsh realities of Melbourne in the early 1930's depression, when evictions were commonplace, and enforced by the police. It focuses on one young unemployed family and the actions of the unemployed workers movement. It incorporates interviews with Tom Hills (ex-Wharfie) and Noel Counihan (artist), whose social realist paintings of the era are also used in the film. ‘Evictions’ won best short film at the 1980 Melbourne International Film Festival. Alumnus, Richard Lowenstein, is best known as the director of ‘Dogs in Space’ (1986) starring Michael Hutchence from INXS, and the 2001 film ‘He Died with a Falafel in his Hand’, an adaptation of John Birmingham’s memoirs starring Noah Taylor. Lowenstein also directed many music videos for INXS and U2. One of the reasons this film was chosen to be among the first 50 graduate films to be digitised as part of the VCA film school’s 50th birthday celebrations is because - very unusually - received 100% as its graduating assessment mark. ‘Evictions’ is stylistically reminiscent of Peter Watkins’ 1965 film, ‘The War Game’, using similarly dramatic scenarios, cinematography and sound design to create depression era Melbourne, personalising a broad social issue through its impact on a single family. Richard Lowenstein’s film is based upon his mother, Wendy Lowenstein’s book, ‘Weevil’s in the Flour’ (1978). Wendy Lowenstein was an activist and oral historian who collected over 700 hours of recorded interviews. Interviews by Wendy Lowenstein with Tom Hills (ex-Wharfie) and Noel Counihan (artist) are included in the film. Other notable alumni who worked on this film include cinematography by Andrew de Groot, Natalie Green & John Elliot. Wardrobe by Lucy McLaren. To find out more about the VCA Film and TV Digital Archive Project visit: http://vca.unimelb.edu.au/ftvarchive FTV50 site: http://vca.unimelb.edu.au/ftv50 Find us on Twitter:   / vca_mcm   Facebook:   / thevictoriancollegeofthearts