Australian New Year’s Resolution

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Films

Hubby and I this year made a late New Year’s resolution, that we would go to the cinema at least once a week today, being my day off, saw the first of the resolution taking place when we went off to see Australia.  The film while a tad long was a joy, parts of it reminded me of the film 10 canoes a film I thoroughly enjoyed, while other parts were reminiscent of a Western, and then still others of Pearl Harbour.  While there were a couple of places that seemed a bit slap dash it was on the whole a enjoyable film poignant and informative, amusing and shocking.  A film about prejudice, guilt, trust, friendship, identity, relationships and fear of change, change imposed from outside, it is a film which will probably stand the test of time and one of those films that I suspect you see something new in each time you watch it.

10 Canoes

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Films

If you like your films to be a bit different and don’t mind having to read subtitles (part of it is in Aboriginal) this is probably one for you.  Cleverly using black and white and colour this film is narrated in English and takes us back in time twice to hear the tales of Dayindi and Yeeralparil.

Dayindi (his tale is in black and white) is heading out on his first goose hunt which starts with making ten bark canoes, before heading off to collect goose eggs and hopeful also get a goose or two.  For the Australian Aborigines the spirits of their ancestors are still alive and are a part of an Aborigine’s “dreaming” bringing life to the stories that been have told through the ages.  Dayindi has taken a fancy to one of his elder brother’s wives and the brother knowing this tells the ancient story of Yeeralparil (his tale is in colour).  This tale is about a young warrior taking a fancy to the young third wife of an older warrior and the consequences that ensue, due to the old Aboriginal customs and laws.  If I was to sum up the message of the film in a few words they would be – be careful what you wish for.

The story is gentle and humorous with some of the actors playing both sets of characters and it is set deep in Australia with stunning scenery which adds to an almost primeval feeling to the tale.  This film, in my view, is a masterpiece and one I would highly recommend it.