Brutal colonisation and arrogance. How on earth did they cope, women, convicts, emancipists, settlers. Transported and relocated to “hell on earth” Van Diemen’s Land after surviving treacherous seas sailing from the United Kingdom of Great Britain. And innocent aboriginal communities invaded by English settlers. Horrific, soul destroying inherent violence towards aboriginal people, women and the land itself.
Tasmania as we now know it, still retains a vast area of rugged untamed wilderness where there is no compromise. It’s harrowing bushland is unpredictable but even with its bone chilling weather conditions, is beautifully haunting and majestic. You feel it in the movie. If lost in the bush, it is about survival of the fittest. I know I once lived there.
The movie, The Nightingale written and directed by Jennifer Kent. We see how one woman’s fierce determination to survive became possible, ferociously driven by her ultimate need for revenge.
Brilliant and confronting, we watched a traumatic story that makes you squirm in your seats.
Set in 1825, Aisling Franciosi masterfully portrays Clare, a young Irish convict woman, exposed to horrendous acts of violence and family loss. She took us on her hell bent mission through the rugged unforgiving wilderness where survival was anyone’s guess.
Guided by Clare’s Aboriginal tracker Billy, (skilfully performed by Baykali Ganambarr), also stripped of his heritage, family and dignity through damaging acts of violence, they confront a life-threatening journey together. From mutual hostility, they learn to find empathy and understand each other. I loved the bond they formed albeit it took time given their backgrounds. I was with them all the way on their quest, exhausted and saddened by the experience.
Extensive research and consultation on the history of convicts in Australia and the history of Tasmanian Aboriginal people (in particular with prominent elder Uncle Jim Everett) was undertaken. Jennifer Kent’s authentic and honest story still plays on my mind; this is how it would have been back then.
Thanks to Transmission Films, it really is a movie to see, a reminder of where we came from and the issues that we continue to confront!
Cast: Sam Claflin, Aisling Franciosi, Baykali Ganambarr, Damon Herriman, Harry Greenwood, Michael Sheasky
Producers: Kristina Ceyton, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, Jennifer Kent
In Australian cinemas nationally 29 August 2019.
Ruth Greening holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology & Philosophy. Before retirement, she worked for over 40 years in the corporate world in Melbourne and Brisbane and progressed into senior management positions and project roles for both private industry and government.
In her 70th decade, she continues in casual roles as a freelance writer, model, and actor participating in small movies, TV commercials and User Generated Content.
As a grandmother, she is known as Nanny Babe to her grandchildren and writes from a Baby Boomer perspective on her blog www.nannybabe.com. An avid crafter Ruth actively participates in sewing, crocheting and knitting.
While she continues to pursue her artistic passions, Ruth is dedicated to maintaining her health and fitness as she ages by attending the gym, dancing and walking and thrives on mentoring others.
Connect with Ruth or our moniker Nanny Babe; nannybabegengp.blogspot.com.au/
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