Libido (1973 film)

Libido is a 1973 Australian drama film comprising 4 segments written and directed as independent stories, but screened together as one piece, exploring a common theme of instinctive desire and contemporary sexuality.

John B. Murray directs a segment called "The Husband", written by Craig McGregor, Tim Burstall directs "The Child", from a screenplay by Hal Porter, Fred Schepisi directs Thomas Keneally's "The Priest" and David Baker directs playwright David Williamson's screenplay for "The Family Man".

The four segments of the film average about 30 minutes in length and are presented in the following order.

"The Husband"

"The Child"

"The Priest"

"The Family Man"

The film arose from a series of workshops held in 1971 by the Victorian Branch of the Producers and Directors Guild to help writers work in narrative cinema. Professional writers were invited to prepare short stories on the theme of love which were adapted and produced by members of the Guild. Four of them were linked in the film.

Tim Burstall wanted to direct the David Williamson segment but because he had worked with Williamson before was given the Hal Porter one, originally called The Jetty. Burstall made some key changes to the story to make it more autobiographical and work better for film. It was shot at Werribee Park Estate in June 1972.

All the stories were shot and filmed in and around Melbourne on 16mm for a budget of $100,000, including $26,000 from the Australian Council for the Arts. According to Burstall, the episodes directed by Murray, Baker and Schepisi cost about $7,000 each and his cost $13,000 - although he says the true cost, accounting for deferrals, was closer to $23,000. He says the total cost of shooting the film was $75,000 being $120,000 after deferrals.

British Empire Films later added some funds to enable the film to be blown up to 35mm (some sources say $20,000 others $36,000).