This is one of those independent films that really deserves the name. It's shot on a low digital format with mostly friends and family of the lead actor and director and only one professional actor (Niki Owen). Tony Ryan plays himself (well, a fictional version of himself) and does so brilliantly.
It's shot hand-held style with limited lighting and at times pretty dodgy sound. And it does feel real, so much so that you feel a little like a voyeur at times, observing the developing relationship between this pair. Because things are not handled with typical 'film' smoothness we have to really think about simple things - like what it means to make a real connection with someone. This film forces you to look at things in a straightforward way. There's no music, you're not being told how to feel about anything. It's a strange but fascinating experience.
Ultimately, the film raises a lot of questions, about violence, love, Aboriginal and Anglo cultures coexisting. It doesn't necessarily answer anything, it just gets you thinking. There are moments that might make you quite uncomfortable and moments that are very warm. This is a film that rings true.
It's shot hand-held style with limited lighting and at times pretty dodgy sound. And it does feel real, so much so that you feel a little like a voyeur at times, observing the developing relationship between this pair. Because things are not handled with typical 'film' smoothness we have to really think about simple things - like what it means to make a real connection with someone. This film forces you to look at things in a straightforward way. There's no music, you're not being told how to feel about anything. It's a strange but fascinating experience.
Ultimately, the film raises a lot of questions, about violence, love, Aboriginal and Anglo cultures coexisting. It doesn't necessarily answer anything, it just gets you thinking. There are moments that might make you quite uncomfortable and moments that are very warm. This is a film that rings true.
