This is evident in Rob Sitchs’ film The Castle (1997), an Australian comedy film which explores

how a close-knit family is forced to vacate their beloved home and their fight to save it. Sitch
effectively challenges the widely held view that Australia is considered an egalitarian society
through the depiction of classes. Sitch also demonstrates how Australia’s colonial past has
created assumptions and prejudices associated with Indigenous Australians and their
experiences. Through the use of camera shots, dialogue and videos, Sitch effectively disrupts
and challenges whether Australia is considered an egalitarian society as well as affirming the
lack of understanding Australians have with colonialism.

Sitch explores how the hierarchy of classes creates social disparity and inequality within what is
assumed an egalitarian Australian society. Due to the Kerrigan’s blue-collar backgrounds, which
in turn influences their use of language and lifestyle, they are stereotyped as a working-class
family. Sitch utilises the use of cut away and close-up shots to capture facial expressions and
body language, during the court hearing with Dennis Denuto, in order to highlight the
disproportionate social statuses and how they challenge the preconceived ideas associated with
an egalitarian society. Sitch also uses costuming as well as dialogue to further emphasise the
social disparity and inequality between classes. Denutos claim was “It’s just the vibe of the
thing” which signifies how his lack of understanding of high court laws and limited use of legal
jargon, ultimately made him lose the case. The costuming is used to assert social status and
power within society. Darryl’s brown suit rather than his flannelette shirt is now conforming to
the corporate and legal world so that he can be taken seriously. The audience is able to
recognise how the social disparity between the hierarchy of classes, within what is assumed an
egalitarian society, ultimately defines how cultural identity can be perceived.

Comparatively, with the use of Australian mateship culture, Australians are known as friendly
and willing to have conversations with almost anyone, which disrupts the assumption that
Australia is an egalitarian society. Lawrence, a retired QC unbeknownst to Darryl, offered to
represent the Kerrigan family free of charge at the high court. When the three men are
standing outside of the high court, Sitch utilises costuming and high angle shots to distinguish
between each social class and their power. Although Darryl is now conforming to the upper
class by attempting to dress appropriately, he still represents the working class as it is not
traditional legal attire. The high angle shots of the group before they enter the court room, help
to further emphasise to the audience the imbalance of power as the high court looks down on
them. During the adjournment, Darryl states “I wish I had your words.” Sitch signifies how
language has the ability to highlight the intellectual differences between disproportionate social
classes. It becomes evident to the audience how the hierarchy of classes ultimately decides
how people are perceived within society. Through the use of language and visual techniques,
Sitch effectively challenges the audience to question whether Australia is really considered an
egalitarian society.

Sitch also has the ability to accurately portray how Australia’s colonial past has created
assumptions and prejudices associated and directed towards Indigenous Australians. Due to the
Kerrigan’s working-class lifestyle, it is automatically assumed that they have a lack of education
and vague understanding about colonialism. Once Darryl realises the existence of his beloved
‘castle’ is under threat, he appears stunned and confused. Sitch utilises medium, eye level,
closeup shots to focus on the Darryl’s facial expressions in order for the audience to visually
comprehend the impact Darryl is experiencing. Darryl also compares his own situation of having
his home taken away by the government to the dispossession of land that was experienced by
Indigenous Australians. Sitch uses dialogue as Darryl states, "I'm really starting to understand
how the Aborigines feel,” to further signify how many Australians, as well as Darryl, lack the
education and understanding of what Aboriginals had to endure during the colonisation of
Australia. Indigenous Australian’s were not compensated for the forcible removal from their
land, removal of their children and being denied of basic human rights. This type of language
used by Darryl, affirms the lack of understanding Australians have associated with the extreme
circumstances and horrific trauma felt Indigenous Australians.

Sitch also has the ability to illustrate how prejudices and assumptions associated with the
colonisation of Australia have the ability to be misinterpreted. During Darryl’s case at the High
court, Lawrence used the comparison of The Mabo case and the compulsory acquisition of the
Kerrigan home as a precedent. During Darryl and Lawrence’s conversation as the Kerrigan
home, Darryl is asked about The Mabo Case. Through the use of cutaway and close-up shots in
Darryl’s statement, “Oh the Aboriginal guy, told the government to shove it,” Sitch further
highlights the difference in how language can be used as well as reinforcing Darryl’s slightly
similar perspective on the case. The mention of The Mabo Case by Lawrence was used as an
intentional metaphor to highlight the similarities between colonialism and the value of the
beloved Kerrigan home. The audience also has the ability to recognise how preconceived ideas
and vague understandings about Australia’s colonial past are insensitive. Sitch effectively
conveys how language has the ability to affirm how assumptions and prejudices associated with
indigenous Australians and their experiences continue to be misinterpreted.

Therefore, it becomes evident that Sitch is able to skilfully demonstrate how preconceived
ideas and beliefs have the ability to affirm, challenge or disrupt ideas associated with cultural
identity. The Castle addresses this through the working-class and upper class within what is
assumed an egalitarian Australian society, as well as prejudices and assumptions associated
with Australia’s colonial past. With the use of language and visual techniques, the audience has
the ability to learn and reflect on how their own assumptions can manipulate or make
judgments in the world around them.