No. 75. (2019) The Nightingale. August 17th.

Film No 75 (2019) August 17th.  11:00 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

THE LANGUAGE SPOKEN BY THE TASMANIAN ABORIGINALS IN THIS FILM IS PALAWA KANI. IT IS NEAR EXTINCT AND MARKS THE FIRST TIME EVER SPOKEN IN A MAINSTREAM PICTURE. (A little known fact revealed about The Nightingale which empelishes the heart of this fine film).

Jennifer Kent follows up her internationally acclaimed, The Babadook, with a different kind of gripping cinematic experience. This time more unnerving because The Nightingale is based on an actual event in Australia's dark convict past. So let me begin by saying, as an Australian, I'm torn between pride and shame in reflecting on this dark tale. I'm proud that such a deeply affecting, brilliantly made and important film has been released to the world. I'm shamed by many of the scenes which have been researched and ratified as historic fact. Scenes which stain our past but also serve as a reminder that being better people is the key to our future. 

In short, Aisling Franciosi stars as convict, Claire, a young wife and mother, eeking out an existence as domestic help for one of the military officers of The Empire. Brutal things of heinous proportions leave her hellbent on revenge. She can't achieve this without the help of Billy (Baykali Ganambarr) a black tracker. It's the power of their partnership which  encapsulates Kent's message. I recommend The Nightingale to all rusted on film lovers and those looking for film with meaning, but some scenes will test your stamina. 11GUMS.