AustLit

'Among the migrants who have come to Australia since the second world war [sic] is a group of Albanian Moslems, whose religions and customs have made their assimilation into the rest of the community difficult.

'This episode deals with a feud between two young Albanians, the Mustapha brothers, and an older man, Abdul Sadik. The police involvement increases as the Albanians grow more violent, and an attempt is made on Sadik's life, apparently by one of the younger men.

'Investigation of the incident proves that it is not the Mustapha brothers who are responsible, but a bigoted Australian who hates foreigners.

'Interwoven with the main plot is the situation of Sadik's wife Naeema. Her arranged marriage to Abdul is a source of unhappiness because he treats her as a possession rather than a human being.

'Sadik realises how much he needs her, but by then it is too late to save the marriage, and she leaves Matlock to start a new life.'

Source: Synopsis held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection (RMIT).

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection includes the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'ABDUL SADIK: Albanian, in his late forties. As a result of hard work he has become a successful market gardener. He is Muslim, firmly believing in the traditions and laws of the past. His family ruled the village he comes from before Albania became a Republic. He is stubborn, proud, harsh in his views. Has neither the desire nor the ability to adjust to his new country.

'Married to a woman who is more independent than the traditional Muslim wife. This causes constant friction, particularly as he knows she is better educated than he and fears that she despises him.

'HAS TO DRIVE CAR AND TRUCK. (Very little truckdriving involved.)

'NAEEMA SADIK: In her thirties, came to Melbourne in her teens and went to an Australian school for three years. The marriage to Sadik had been arranged by her family and she has been unhappy ever since.

'KEITH EVANS: Australian; in his late twenties; a truckdriver. Goodnatured, reasonably intelligent, thoroughly likeable. An inborn sense of chivalry. Strongly attracted to Naeema whom he sees as mysterious, helpless and victimised.

'HAS TO DRIVE TRUCK WELL.

'RON EVANS: Keith's father. In his late fifties; Australian. Runs beef cattle. An aggressive brute - primitive and cunning. Jealous of his son. In spite of his prejudice against foreigners, he is interested in Naeema.

'MRS. EVANS: Keither's mother. Late forties. A simple woman, basically kind. Resigned to her life.

'YOSEF MUSTAPHA: Early twenties; Albanian. Quick tempered, proud, resentful. Hates Sadik who has tried to dominate him and stoops at nothing [sic] to annoy and humiliate the older man.

'OMAR MUSTAPHA: About thirty years old. More sensible and restrained than his younger brother. Feels responsible for what has happened but does not have the strength of character to stop his younger brother Yosef's actions.

'MR. FORD: Middle-aged businessman. Very drunk - is at police station because he cannot find his car. Tries to 'establish a dialogue' with the foreigners. Has a quick change of mood when they don't co-operate.

'MR. JONES: Australian; owns a large Produce Store. Should have a quiet authority and should be tall and well-built. The type who can stop a fight with just a few words.

'DRIVER OF CAR: A middle-aged man who is involved in a car accident.

'MR. ADAMS: Elderly, rather simple person. Lives in Matlock proper and knows everything that's going on.

'WILLIE SCOTT: About 40 years old, a farmhand. Laconic, curious, likeable. Australian accent.

MUST DRIVE TRACTOR.'