Film Lens
Facing the Music is an Australian documentary directed by Bob Connolly and Robin Anderson, focusing on the struggles of the University of Sydney Department of Music. The film centers on music professor Anne Boyd, who faces significant challenges in managing a department that is under financial strain. Boyd lacks the necessary training for fundraising, which is crucial for the department's survival amid budget overspending.
The documentary captures the efforts of staff members who are determined to keep the music department alive despite the pressures. It culminates in the department's merger with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music at the end of 2004, marking a significant shift in the university's music education landscape.
Why Watch
- •Meet Professor Anne Boyd fighting for her department.
- •See the impact of budget cuts on music education.
- •Find out how the department merged with the Conservatorium.
Did You Know
•Facing the Music grossed $182,901 at the Australian box office.
•The film won the 2002 Cinematic Intelligence Agency Trenchcoat Award for best documentary.
•Anne Boyd struggled to run a dysfunctional department without fundraising training.
Perfect For
University music departmentsAustralian documentary fansBudget management in education