The Seven Network is producing its own program on the 1997 death of Joe Cinque in consultation with Cinque’s killer, Anu Singh, according to the co-writer/director of a new film adaptation of Helen Garner’s award-winning book Joe Cinque’s Consolation.
Read our review of the film here
Read an interview with Maria Cinque here
Canberra-raised Sotiris Dounoukis, who was, like Ms Singh, a law student at the ANU at the time of the Dickson killing, told audiences at the premiere of the film at Palace Electric last night that the Seven Network production had already begun filming around Canberra.
Asked why he hadn’t consulted with Ms Singh, who served time for the manslaughter of Cinque, during the making of the film, Mr Dounoukos noted that she will have an opportunity to influence the Seven production.
“She’s commented a lot,” Mr Dounoukos said.
“We thought about it. She chose not to speak to Helen [Garner]. She chose not to give evidence, to be cross-examined [during the court case], and those two things really are a big defining factor in how we approached the book. We embrace it. Joe’s not here to tell his story.
“Also, when we did our FOI application, Anu resisted that very strongly, so it’s not just ‘You didn’t consult me’, she wants to tell her story, and she’s going to do it with Channel Seven now. Classy. And I’m sure the world can’t wait.”
Joe Cinque’s parents assisted Mr Dounoukos in the making of the film and he says he has a good relationship with them, though he notes they too will be involved in the Seven production.
“Channel Seven pounced on them recently, so next year, or sometime, you’re going to have unfortunately the Channel Seven version, bang, bang, bang, which makes me really sad.
“People don’t understand how much I think this story affected our community, and we’re about to receive the Sydney tabloid version of it in the next while. You’ll see them around, they’re filming at the moment. So prepare for weird Canberra.”
The cinematography of Mr Dounoukos’s film depicts Canberra as a beautiful city. Even the dialogue is sympathetic to the capital, with one character defending the city vehemently against a detractor who describes it as boring.
The implosion of the original Canberra Hospital is used as a motif at several points, drawing on parallels between the two 1997 tragedies in terms of the relationship between spectatorship and being a witness.
ANU graduates will feel nostalgic about the “fluff” falling in the credits. [Current ANU students will have a different reaction. We wish them well in their final exams.]
Mr Dounoukos passes no judgement on the Cinques over their participation in the Seven program.
“There’s probably money in that … but I really I hope that they don’t then shut down their relationship with the film, because they really supported it, and me in the freedom that they gave me.
“I couldn’t have done it any other way, I wouldn’t proceed if they weren’t OK with it.”
Mr Dounoukos said that for many reasons, he could think of better things to do with his time than discussing the period with Ms Singh.
“We’re talking about a period that she herself says ‘I’m not that person anymore’, and by the way, I don’t remember the three days between the dinner party and killing Joe’.”
Mr Dounoukos said Ms Singh had had ample opportunity to present her take on what happened, and noted the film was not about the inside of each of the characters’ minds.
“She’s incredibly unhappy with the film, but so are all of them [those who knew Ms Singh was talking of killing herself and/or Joe Cinque and did not intervene]. It is a challenge making a real life story. I think about their families, and the discomfort of that, but it’s nothing compared with what the Cinques have to go through.
“I think communities have a right to tell their own stories, so it’s part of the conundrum, but I can live with her not being happy.”
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