Australian film-maker Michael Noonan is interviewed about his film "Unlikely Travellers" (2007) for the 2007 Brisbane International Film Festiva

Starrs, D. Bruno

English

Queensland University of Technology ePrints Archive

               QUT Digital Repository:  http://eprints.qut.edu.au/ Starrs, D. Bruno (2007) An Interview with Michael Noonan. 2007 Brisbane International Film Festival newsletter, 2007(August).             © Copyright 2007 [please consult the author] An Interview with Michael Noonan by D. Bruno Starrs.  Michael Noonan’s PhD project at Queensland University of Technology, which saw two lecturers disciplined for their unreasoned criticism and months of subsequent media scrutiny, grew out of his documenting the Spectrum organization’s trip to Egypt for six disabled people. Initially entitled “Laughing at the Disabled”, the PhD involves a series of TV episodes featuring Darren and James, two lively lads from the Egypt adventure. In his documentary film Unlikely Travellers (2007) we see the beginnings of his interest in the abilities of these people and realise that contrary to the criticism, Noonan is not interested in mocking the disabled.  D. Bruno Starrs: What did the trip to Egypt for six disabled people teach you?  Michael Noonan: Before the trip I had many misconceptions about ‘disability’ and ‘people with disabilities’. I had misconceptions about the kind of film I was going to end up making. But I overcame those misconceptions pretty quickly - probably on the first day of shooting - and I hope people who see the film will be changed in the same way. I have learnt to be more tolerant, to not take what I have for granted, to see people as individuals, to realise that we’ve all got problems in our own way - some of us have more problems than others, and some of us deal with their problems better than others. I guess, above all, I’ve realised how wonderful laughter can be in terms of breaking down barriers.   D. Bruno Starrs: What did the participants learn?  Michael Noonan: I think they all changed, they all grew. Some more than others. I believe the experience challenged them and made them more confident in who they are and what they are capable of. I think many of the participants don’t get the chance to be independent and to go their own way and do their own thing. This trip gave them a chance to do that, to express themselves, to be their own person and to show the world what they can do. Society’s always telling people with disabilities what they can’t do and what they shouldn’t be doing: I think this film makes it pretty clear that these guys can do anything.  D. Bruno Starrs: Given Unlikely Travellers started life as a 3 part TV series and has been sold to the ABC for broadcast in 2008, what level of responsibility to participants do the makers of reality TV need to bear (consider the recent suicide of a participant in Pirate Master and the ongoing controversies of Big Brother)?  Michael Noonan: I’m not sure I’d put Unlikely Travellers in the same reality-TV category as Big Brother and Pirate Master. In fact, I wouldn’t really call it reality TV - although I suppose that depends on your definition of ‘reality TV’. I see it more as an observational documentary than a reality TV show built around a cash prize and contestants eliminating each other. I guess there are devices that I’ve used that are common to reality TV - the diary cam comes to mind - but that’s just a device. As a film-maker I was following a journey that was happening: it wasn’t set up or staged as a film event. I love the observational documentary films of Bob Connolly and Robyn Anderson, particularly Rats in the Ranks and Facing the Music. I guess if I wanted Unlikely Travellers on a shelf anywhere in a video store, I’d like it near those kind of films - definitely not sharing space with Big Brother or The Simple Life. Having said that, I’m a big fan of reality television and I’m not sure to what extent TV directors and producers should be made responsible for their talent. Is it a responsibility for how they’re portrayed or how they deal with the aftermath and the public reaction to their portrayal? It’s a slippery slope. Ultimately there’s a responsibility on some level, I suppose, but I’m not sure how far that extends in terms of time and scope: should Mark Burnett still be responsible for the contestants from the first series of Survivor? No, that would be silly. So what’s the timeframe of responsibility? And how far does that responsibility extend? I’m sure there are plenty of experienced reality TV producers out there with some very strong and intelligent arguments about that. Unlikely Travellers has been through many incarnations: it was once 9 half-hours, a 2-part mini-series, then 4 half-hours. Recently our US distributor said 49 minutes might be more viable for the networks over there. I don’t think I could cut it to 49 – that would be horrible. But I think the feature version is the one that works best: it’s a complete, uninterrupted journey. I would’ve liked the ABC to screen it as a feature but they’re going to split it into three parts, as you’ve explained. Might be on earlier - they’ve hinted at late 2007 (hopefully not on Christmas Eve).  As John Hart (Spectrum CEO) states “It’s not about the disability, it’s about the enthusiasm.” See Michael Noonan’s documentary to absorb some of the enthusiasm for life its participants exude.  

An Interview with Michael Noonan

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Queensland University of Technology ePrints Archive

Name not available