Glenn's Story

A high impact mix of documentary and drama based upon the real experiences of 15 year old Glenn Broome, a boy held in maximum security at the Melbourne youth correction centre Turana. This film features ‘say it like it is’ interviews with Glenn - following his childhood in foster homes and then his path through petty crime into more serious crimes.

One of the reasons this film was chosen to be among the first 50 films to be digitised as part of the VCA film school’s 50th birthday celebrations is because its stark look at Melbourne’s correctional institutions of the time. Glenn’s narration mentions his early adolescent years in the Baltara Reception Centre and Turana Reception Centre & the film includes scenes shot (in the 1970s) at Turana, as well as Chadstone Shopping Centre and Melbourne’s city centre. Of particular cinematic note is the extraordinary two and a half minute single shot incarceration scene.

Arnold Zable is an award winning writer, storyteller, educator, and human rights advocate. His books include ‘Cafe Scheherazade’. Photography is by Nigel Buesst, who went on to lecture at the Swinburne Film School from 1970 to 1984.