Rooster, The (ATOM Study Guide)

CONTENT WARNING: This guide discusses themes of mental health, abuse, trauma and suicide.

Dan (Phoenix Raei) works in a remote police outpost in regional Victoria, but when a childhood friend is discovered dead following an incident at the local high school, his judgement and credentials are thrown into question. Consumed with guilt and suspended from the force, Dan decides to camp out in the forest, where he encounters a cranky jazz-listening, shotgun-toting, ping-pong-obsessed misanthrope (Hugo Weaving). At first transactional, this bond soon becomes transformative for the broken men. But, surrounded by trees, far away from any trace of civilisation, is everything really as it seems?

Curriculum Links:

The Rooster is suitable for mature audiences, presenting an opportunity to engage with highly relevant yet sensitive community issues. It can serve as a stimulus to:

• discuss experiences of people affected by suicide;
• consider the importance of friendship and connection;
• address stigma associated with mental health and suicide;
• discuss issues of grief, terminal illness, mental illness, abuse and trauma;
• explore the concept of masculinity and the nature of friendship between men.

The film is a valuable resource for students undertaking certificate and tertiary studies in the following areas:

• Health / Community Services (e.g. the experiences and support needs of people living with trauma and mental health challenges.)
• English (e.g. how texts represent the world and human experience.)
• Media Studies (e.g. how techniques, codes and conventions are used to create and challenge representations.)