(NZ Culture) Walkshort

A classic by New Zealand's legendary Front Lawn. Filmed on K road in 1987.

The front lawn is a place traditionally New Zealanders were very careful to keep very tidy. A lot of Front Lawn's work is about the desperate need many European New Zealanders feel to maintain a certain kind of image: that of being friendly helpful folks. But under the surface there's darkness and despair. There are worms and old bottle tops, and perhaps even skeletons, in the soil under the front lawn.

Walkshorts are absolutely dreadful shorts that school teachers used to wear.

When watching this short film, think about the following thmes:

misunderstanding
sexual repression
personal insecurity
social anxiety
violence



1. Why did the man feel happy?

2. "probably some sort of marital dispute" - what does "marital" mean? "Still, you've gotta help people" (this is the old national ethos).

3. What tenses are the characters using? Why are they speaking in such an emphatic way?

4. "People who don't speak clearly" - how do you interpret this line?

5. Why does the Pharmacist chase after the other man?

6. "We don't do too badly." What attitude is being satirised here?

7. Who loses a parcel?

8. "I can't breath" Why does the man say this?

9. "You've got to be on your guard the whole time" - why does the man say this? What is he afraid of?

10. "You can't really blame people for lashing out" Why does he say this?

11. "Bloody crackpot religious fanatics"

12. "You try to help people!"

Video:

Walkshort