WITH JESS
The recent adaptation of Trent Daltons ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ has spurred a renewed appreciation for Australian filmmaking. The beauty for me lies in landscapes and communities represented in Australian film, from novels to tv and documentary to blockbuster, we have produced so much amazing media that hits home for many viewers.
“Australiana” is the aesthetic I refer to in terms of aussie films that provide a nostalgic, warm and gooey feeling, while also touching on the most raw and sentimental part of our lives (which I think are characteristics of Australia).
This is the magic that I believe viewers of Australian cinema feel and is part of the reason 'Boy Swallows Universe' has been such a success. Featuring a stacked cast, from H2Os Phoebe Tonkin and Vikings star Travis Fimmel, ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ captures characters and ways of life many of us have witnessed or experienced ourselves. The Netflix adaptation has been praised again and again since its release.
We have seen this excitement before in Channel 10s 'Puberty Blues' and its resurgence amongst Gen-Z (who may have been a bit young when it first aired). The soundtrack of 'Puberty Blues' itself is iconic, its sound design, the incorporation of native bird sounds and waves crashing is reminiscent of our daily commutes and days spent on the beach in summertime. The reality Australian film reflects has the ability to have such a big impact. These shows, having been set in the 70/80s, have a strong air of nostalgia for older generations of Australians and spur an excitement in younger generations that obsess over the style and language of pre Y2k Australia (don’t ya reckon ya moll?)
Here’s some of my favourites -
Another book adaptation that took Australia by storm was Simon Baker’s 2017 film ‘Breath’, originally a novel by author Tim Winton (this a ‘read the book before you watch the film’ moment).
Once again set in the 70’s in Western Australia, the film explores coastal landscapes, surf communities and reflections on childhood in an intimate and raw way.
Baker considers the novel's beauty, both the joy and pain of the characters displayed in their interactions with each other in conjunction with the scenes of bush/ beach and the community that gets built up around these landscapes.
Breath provides a look into boy/manhood all Australians can find interesting and if the story doesn’t grab your attention the beautiful imagery will.
‘Judas Collar’ is another personal favourite of mine. This 15 minute documentary/drama transports viewers to outback Australia and captures the story of wild camels that call our desert home. This ‘documentary’ explores the culling of camels that occurs and how the trackers or ‘judas collars’ isolate the ones wearing them and lead to death of those who don't.
The industrial symbols that feature in this film contrast the dusty red desert and provide high-intensity and emotional scenes. Judas Collars’ short run time paired with its unique narrative and beautiful scenes make for a great watch.
TRIGGER WARNING: infant death, murder, assault
For a longer watch, Jennifer Kents ‘The Nightingale’ stands at 2 hours and 16 minutes and is a film I will never shut up about.
Set in 19th century Tasmania, Irish convict Clare (Aisling Francios) enlists the help of indigenous man Billy (Baykali Ganambarr) to track down the British Officers that have wronged them.
Exploring topics of abuse, racism and complacency, Kent mystifies viewers through the character dynamics and reflections on convict Australia portrayed in the film. The amazing performance from Aisling Francios and her costar Baykali Ganambarr highlight the sorrow, rage and creed of the characters on their quest for revenge. The film’s dark storyline is reflected in the harsh Tasmanian landscape, as they navigate this country they learn about each other as the the beauty and pain of their lives unfolds.
This is what I call a ‘nothing film’, in the sense that there is no standout climax or redemption (in my opinion), and its long run-time means viewers must have patience. It is worth it, the sheer darkness that is at the centre of this film that will encapsulate you.
Nostalgia wrapped up in representations of community, family dynamics and our unique landscape are cornerstones of Australian film and reflect reality in a way that allows these narratives to feel close to home (literally). I acknowledge a lot of these films have intense and dark storylines but to me it's contributes to the beauty of Aussie films. Darker themes are a central part of creating nostalgia and heightens our connections to the characters and content as we identify with both the people and places represented in these stories.
Other recommendations:
Netflix’s ‘Heartbreak High’ and ‘Surviving Summer’, ABCs ‘Barons’, Bruce Beresfords ‘Ladies in Black’ and Aussie classics ‘Two Hands’ featuring Heath Ledger and ‘Looking for Alibrandi’, another highly successful novel adaptation.
Happy reading,
WITH JESS