Development - ENGLISH - Drama, Social issues, Thriller - 98 minutes
Gray, a disillusioned mixed-race Indigenous lawyer and his wife take a break from their busy city life in Melbourne to visit the homeland of his mother in Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory for Christmas in 1974. It is a dream holiday that escalates into a terrifying nightmare as the couple become
Year of production : 2021 Director(s) : Tony BONNER Writer(s) : Barry DUFFIELD Cast : Damion HUNTER, Simon MERRELLS, Richard NORTON Producer(s) : Lucinda BRUCE (LADY OF THE LIGHT PRODUCTIONS)
The Northern Territory’s spectacular rugged natural terrain provides a stunning visual backdrop to the unfolding events of terror as the skies change from a welcoming brilliant blue, to a menacing palette of rain bruised black as an impending wind driven disaster looms. Woven throughout is the suggestion of traditional Dreamtime imagery of the deeply ingrained spirit memory of an unremembered past life of the young mixed-race lawyer that adds the ominous presence of a monster crocodile into the mix with detrimental results.In an urgent race against the clock, a relaxing holiday away from the tense and pressurized life of a legal battle, a parent’s death, and city life, quickly becomes a living nightmare for a husband and wife visiting the Northern Territory for the first time.All roads lead to Hell for the couple after discovering that racial tolerance in not high on the agenda of the small mining town they pass through. Embittered by his own racist notions and unsuccessful marriage, the antagonist is a vile and ignorant character whose alcohol addled mind drives him further towards the precipice of irrationality and sends him spiralling over the edge.His bully boy antics are both feared and respected by his equally unrepentant peers who join him on a night of pursuit and deadly sport. The cover of night offers no solace to any of the characters as the tropical cyclone howls through the trees, and blinding rain and deep mud hinder any hope of escape or redemption.
Country(ies) : AUSTRALIA Financing plan : Applications for Screen Australia funding are about to put forward, film will be shot on location in the Northern Territory, Aus with local and national incentives Start of shooting : May 2021