Sweet Country

Cert: 15A; Selected cinemas

It’s happening slowly but happening nonetheless. Films such as Walkabout (1971) and Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) touch down every once in a while and force Australian society to look at its dark and difficult history with its indigenous compatriots, the Aborigines.

Cinematographer-turneddirector Warwick Thornton weds the dizzy aesthetic of the former with the latter’s powerful themes of injustice to stunning effect in this Venice Jury Prizewinner. Sam (Hamilton Morris) is a ranch-hand sent by Sam Neill’s kindly outback preacher to assist on a neighbouring outpost in 1929. There, Sam kills the ranch’s vicious incumbent in self-defence and goes on the run with his wife (Natassia GoreyFurber). Tracking them is Bryan Brown’s local sergeant. Sam, however, knows these lands better than any white fella and won’t be coming in quietly.

The script stirs in modern parlance to ensure the racist bile directed at Sam and his family is never in doubt. Otherwise, Thornton’s film feels fiercely authentic and has an arresting enigma all its own. HILARY A WHITE