Article - The Courier Mail, Thursday, 12th of June, 2008
Peace shattered by unfinished business
WILLIAM McInnes might not yet be an international name of the ranking
of a Russell Crowe or Hugh Jackman but he does give this Brisbane-Dutch
co-production something that too many Australian movies
lack -- a known star.
McInnes (who became a national favourite when he joined SeaChange)
and his co-star, Dutch actress Monic Hendrickx (featured in the
original Dutch movie on which writer-director Peter Duncan (Passion)
based his screenplay) make a persuasive partnership in Duncan's
taut drama.
It's also a character study, although there's a jolt or two when loose
ends are tied together in a punchy finale.
While it's a small-scale drama, it unfolds more efficiently than many
recent Australian-made ``thrillers''.
Duncan's treatment, going behind the headlines to depict the abuse
of a female refugee as just one tense element of his story, marks
the debut of Brisbane-based New Holland Pictures (headed by husband
and wife Mark and Cathy Overett).
Tall and rangy McInnes represents perfect casting as farmer John Waldring.
The farmer has lived alone on his property southeast of Brisbane for
the past six years since the death of his wife, Kate, (in circumstances
still discussed in the local community).
The film was shot at Beaudesert and Boonah, but cinematographer Robert
Humphreys hasn't set out to provide tourist drawcard images
of this part of the world.
Waldring appears happy in his isolation from the wider community.
His peace is shattered when a wounded and bruised non-English-speaking
woman Tahmeena (Hendrickx) somehow finds her way to the farm.
Flashback sequences leave no doubt that Tahmeena has been assaulted,
but by whom and why?
She's unable to explain her circumstances to her baffled host, who
offers first-aid, a bed, lodging and some of his late wife's clothes.
Sensibly, Waldring denies any knowledge of the woman when police sergeant
Carl Allen (David Field) and then the local publican Bob
(Bille Brown) and his son (Christopher Sommers) inquire whether she's
turned up on the property.
As she communicates hesitantly in her broken English, Tahmeena's background
in Afghanistan comes into focus.
Waldring tries to help her locate Brisbane-based family (involving
scenes set in Red Hill), but on their way home from this trip, they
come upon a motorcyclist lying injured on the deserted road.
When the motorcyclist recalls being assisted by a kindly woman, his
parents (Roy Billing and Mercia Deane-Johns) visit the farm, trying
to identify this guardian angel.
Where can you run when you have nowhere to hide? Waldring and Tahmeena
-- now lovers -- will soon find the tranquillity of their remote
hideaway shattered. The finale is a sombre scene, nicely directed
by Duncan.
There might be a future for small Australian films as well crafted
as this one. (90 min)
WILLIAM McInnes might not yet be an international name of the ranking
of a Russell Crowe or Hugh Jackman but he does give this Brisbane-Dutch
co-production something that too many Australian movies
lack -- a known star.
McInnes (who became a national favourite when he joined SeaChange)
and his co-star, Dutch actress Monic Hendrickx (featured in the
original Dutch movie on which writer-director Peter Duncan (Passion)
based his screenplay) make a persuasive partnership in Duncan's
taut drama.
It's also a character study, although there's a jolt or two when loose
ends are tied together in a punchy finale.
While it's a small-scale drama, it unfolds more efficiently than many
recent Australian-made ``thrillers''.
Duncan's treatment, going behind the headlines to depict the abuse
of a female refugee as just one tense element of his story, marks
the debut of Brisbane-based New Holland Pictures (headed by husband
and wife Mark and Cathy Overett).
Tall and rangy McInnes represents perfect casting as farmer John Waldring.
The farmer has lived alone on his property southeast of Brisbane for
the past six years since the death of his wife, Kate, (in circumstances
still discussed in the local community).
The film was shot at Beaudesert and Boonah, but cinematographer Robert
Humphreys hasn't set out to provide tourist drawcard images
of this part of the world.
Waldring appears happy in his isolation from the wider community.
His peace is shattered when a wounded and bruised non-English-speaking
woman Tahmeena (Hendrickx) somehow finds her way to the farm.
Flashback sequences leave no doubt that Tahmeena has been assaulted,
but by whom and why?
She's unable to explain her circumstances to her baffled host, who
offers first-aid, a bed, lodging and some of his late wife's clothes.
Sensibly, Waldring denies any knowledge of the woman when police sergeant
Carl Allen (David Field) and then the local publican Bob
(Bille Brown) and his son (Christopher Sommers) inquire whether she's
turned up on the property.
As she communicates hesitantly in her broken English, Tahmeena's background
in Afghanistan comes into focus.
Waldring tries to help her locate Brisbane-based family (involving
scenes set in Red Hill), but on their way home from this trip, they
come upon a motorcyclist lying injured on the deserted road.
When the motorcyclist recalls being assisted by a kindly woman, his
parents (Roy Billing and Mercia Deane-Johns) visit the farm, trying
to identify this guardian angel.
Where can you run when you have nowhere to hide? Waldring and Tahmeena
-- now lovers -- will soon find the tranquillity of their remote
hideaway shattered. The finale is a sombre scene, nicely directed
by Duncan.
There might be a future for small Australian films as well crafted
as this one. (90 min)
posted by WilliamWatch at 7:25 PM
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