Highlights
- Online series tribute to ‘Greek mother’ coming up
- Comic episodes are based on real-life arguments between the director and his mum
- The project secured development funding from Screen Australia
For anyone familiar with the concept of the title, 'Arguments with my mum’ brings to mind a battle-like atmosphere.
But according to the director of the mini-series, what stands out across fights is the “common ground” between the two protagonists: a contemporary Greek Australian mother and her first-born son.
“Ultimately, it’s all based on the fact that both are trying to find a way to kind of say ‘I love you’ but don’t know how to articulate that yet.
“It’s kind of bewildering, the strange ways in which a mom and son try to say, ‘I love you’ to each other… like doing a comedy series about it as I am,” Jason Christou says with a laugh.
His upcoming project, starring Zoe Carides, is indeed inspired by real experiences at the Christou family home in Geelong.
Jason Christou and Zoe Carides Source: Jason Christou
Not your usual ‘Greek’ mother
The youngest of four siblings, Mr Chistou grew up in a rather typical Greek household, with “big family lunches” spending time “with auntie and uncle in their vegetable jungle” and memories from church.
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The family composition was anything but common though, with a Greek Cypriot dad and a mum combining Austrian and Slovenian roots but also a rich mix of languages and cultures, including Greek.
“She came to Australia when she was 11, and at the time spoke German, Slovenian and French. Then she taught herself English[…] and her stepfather was Serbian.
“When she met dad, completely embraced the culture, converted to Greek Orthodox, learnt the language, and even learned to read ancient Greek!”
Mr Christou describes his upbringing between cultures as a “delicious culinary adventure”, saying it also sparked his curiosity leading him “on a storytelling journey”.
Jason with mum Anita, in childhhood and recent photo. Source: Jason Christou
Humorous‘battles’ fighting stereotypes
Real arguments with his mother, Anita, serving as inspiration for his new online comedy series underway, is probably a testament to that.
Debate ‘battles’ at home were and remain common, says Mr Christou, but something that both enjoy in getting a rare insight of each other’s perspective.
‘Arguments with my mum’ is also aiming at bringing forward these intergenerational dynamics through a humorous lens.
“So, the arguments range from sex to religion, money, the #metoo hashtag, climate change,[…] they start from something personal that ends up becoming one that kind of reflects our social comments
“You kind of watch to see who wins.
“But hopefully, the audience will be at times surprised by what side of the argument they fall by the end of an episode.”
Shootings for the 10 episode-series, selected for development funding by Screen Australia, are expected to start early in 2021.
“It’s like a bite-sized sitcom,” Mr Christou says noting that along with bringing good laughs the series aims to debunk stereotypes about the contemporary Greek Australian culture.
“I think Screen Australian saw the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a modern Greek Australian family and its dynamics between generations, but also between a migrant mother and a first generation son.
A Christou family gathering. Source: Jason Christou
“I think the show really challenges these stereotypes.
“And the hope is that the audience will see a part of themselves in what they experience or a part of their families in the series. Finding laughs in the familiar and the cringe-worthy goes beyond ethnicity. And, you know, showcasing that fact that we're more alike that we care to admit regardless of the cultural differences.”
