This is no Red Hill. Actually at times I'm not sure if it's trying to be Bran Nue Day or The Propositions, however if you are looking for a modern film that explores the suffrage of first nations people with a touch of tradition. This is one amongst a small list of films available to watch. The acting and cinematography is exceptional, however the editing, direction and all round Composition of the film is horrific. The films major lack is that it has no strong protagonist. It's just a series of characters going through a series of events.
It doesn't give the audience a chance to become attached to any of the characters journeys. It drops in and out of artistic intention without provocation and loses it's audience in the typical Australian Contemporary Cinema style, where experimentation is used to give subtext overshadowing the audience's desire for understanding and wastes valuable time exploring themes that need no further explanation.
This film is irritating in that it could be so much better had it been given to an experienced post production team focused on just telling the story and not trying to be clever.
This is not a Saturday night movie, but a Sunday afternoon time killer.
Don't get me wrong, I am so happy movies like this are being made in Australia, and I did enjoy watching this one. It has so many amazing scenes, but the entire film as a whole leaves me feeling patronised. It is a shame and it angers me that this film will disappear into the SBS B grade Australian films catalogue that only get played on television once every 10 years.
In all honesty this is exactly the kind of film that gets made with government funding hoping to cater to an imaginary demographic that does not exist. It's a Black Exploitation film that hides behind being a Biographical piece in order to present neo feminist perspectives.
An Australian poor mans version of Django Unchained. But I feel that the director is a wanna be Wes Andersen trying to make a film to impress Peter weir.
However if you want the blatant truth. The fundamental reason why this film will suck to many who watch it, is simple because the entire budget was spent on the filming leaving very little funding to post production and vast amount of attention needed to make this film what it could have potentially been.
This is not a bad film it just jumps around allot and you have to be in the right mood to enjoy it through perseverance.
Bitter Springs will probably give you a closer connection to Aboriginal victimisation if that is what your in the mood for.
All done and said, this is an exceptional first film from a production team and cast that show allot of promise.
