Romulus, My Father (ATOM Study Guide)

Romulus, My Father is based on Raimond Gaita's award-winning memoir of the same name. The film stars Eric Bana as Romulus, Kodi Smit-McPhee as his son Raimond and Franka Potente as Christina. The film was directed by Richard Roxburgh and adapted for the screen by poet and playwright, Nick Drake.

Curriculum relevance:
Romulus, My Father will have interest and relevance for students and teachers at middle and senior secondary levels, as well as tertiary students studying in a number of areas including:

• English – particularly students in Years 11 and 12, who may also be reading and studying the memoir on which the film is based. For other students the film offers an example of kinds of biography/autobiography.
• Media Studies – particularly in the area of screenwriting and adaptation of text to screen as well as showing a number of different ways to tell stories as much through images as words.
• Cultural Studies and Australian Studies – particularly in the area of post World War Two immigration to Australia, notions of family and the difficulties and joys of rural life.