July - August 

Documentary - My Octopus teacher

Burnt out film maker Craig Foster befriends an octopus in the kelp forest near his home in South Africa. Each day he braves the water, no matter the temperature or conditions to swim amongst the kelp and observe the at first shy, sea creature.

It is truly beautiful, although due to the slow start, can take a couple of attempts. 

Megan sped it up to 1.25 and then found it bearable, as at first she couldn't stand the sound of Craig's voice narrating the story. The slow moving rhythmic narrative lent itself to the ebb and flow of the ocean, currents and life under water.

Introducing his son into the movie also annoyed Megan but Glenda explained that people generally do include their children in their interests. 

Anna also commented that the director had wanted it as part of the story as Craig's mental health journey included reestablishing a relationship with his son. 

We didn't take scores but those of us that watched it, Anna, Glenda, Kristy and Megan loved it.

Also as a note to COVID 2021 - Kristy watched the last bit in her car, waiting for her son at Olympic stadium having his first vaccination.      

June 2021

The Dickens boy / Tom Keneally

Had a different meeting to talk about Thomas Keneally’s “The Dickens Boy.” Megan, Anna and Deb had a video meeting from their cosy places on a cold Sunday.
 
Deb and Anna – both liked learning about the personal side to Charles Dickens and his family. His youngest son Edward, known as Plorn, was sent to Australia in 1868 to work on sheep stations in NSW and Victoria where his older brother was also working.
 
Megan made a start, but found the language too hard. Deb also commented on the language, but kept going as the story was interesting. Anna had no issue with the language.
 
Deb and Anna – liked following the ongoing discussion between the 2 brothers on their perception of their father. He was so highly regarded as a writer, yet his decisions regarding the children were not always compassionate.
 
Deb liked how Keneally was able to use historical documents, letters and articles to put the story together. Especially the detail about life and work on remote sheep stations.
 
Anna 9/10
Deb 9/10

Note from Anna - Plorn's brother Alfred had issue with their father's relationship to them and why he had sent them to Australia; and his treatment of their mother. Alfred wrestled with his demons drinking excessively and desperately trying to engage Plorn in the debate. Despite his feelings for his father he did take offence if anyone spoke badly of him, and later made a living for himself on speaking tours of things Dickensian, in the U.S. 

Megan asked why would he do that when he held his father in such disdain. Anna thought well,  it was like a scene out of Kath and Kim. After Kim had chucked Brett out, again, the Boulton twins, Kylie and Danni, spiked his drink and took advantage of him. In a scene in the carpark of Fountaingate Shopping Centre, Kim was taunted by the twins when they witnessed her eating potato wedges in her tight jeans. One insult led to another with finally Brett being shamed as a "dud root" to which Kim replied Yeah, he is, but he's my dud root.. So it's kinda like that, it's ok for him to pass judgement about his father, but not anyone else.