![]() These issues of class, intolerance and ignorance of other cultures is as poignant today as it was then. The clip below shows the deeper disdain that the indigenous people are subjected to, even by the convicts. The world presents as a two-tier system, that is, until we are introduced to the native population. It is not freely given and is often used to exert dominance and reliance. Once the convicts have served their time, they must request leave by way of letter of recommendation from their masters. ![]() In fact, their currency has only risen in relevancy over the past couple of years.Īs the film starts, the convicts are shown to be treated as inferiors to the hierarchy of the military. As the film imposes its motivations and attitudes on you, it becomes clear that the themes are universal. The historical setting blindsides you into believing that the themes are consigned to the time period. We are thrust into the middle of this conflict. It nearly resulted in the annihilation of the entire Aboriginal Tasmanian people. In Tasmania this led to a period known as the ‘Black War’, a period that has since been described as the only true genocide of the British Colonial expansion. Criminals worked for their masters, while the masters worked to cleanse the land of the indigenous people. This resulted in a deeply unbalanced society. The hope was that their absence would not only cleanse their birthplace but that it would inadvertently build and expand the British Empire. Tasmania is the main penal colony for the British Empire where tens of thousands of criminals (many of them only guilty of petty crimes) were ferried across to the other side of the world. The Nightingale plots around a historical representation of Tasmania in 1825. It’s a beautiful looking film and the print on the disc looks great to my eyes. The lighting of the night and dream scenes are crisp and clear, and you are never left in the dark (pun intended) at any point. Where there are moments of calm and clarity, the colour palette switches to a lush and vibrant hue. While most of the film is shot to showcase the beauty of the landscape, the colours are often washed out as befits the mood. The cinematographer (Radek Ladczuk) of the film is to be noted. As a figure of pure evil, he succeeds in spades. It is clear they intended him to be a character of some light as well as shade, but the regular acts of evil perpetrated by the character fall short of ever giving him a sense of redemption. The one area which did not work as well for me was the character of Hawkins, brilliantly played by Sam Claflin. There are believable and forthright performances throughout the cast from Baykali Ganambarr (Billy), Michael Sheasby (Aidan) and a wonderfully cowardly Damon Herriman (as Ruse). There is light to the shade and the softer moments suit the changing landscape of the film. The success of the entire production is placed on her shoulders and she does an incredible job of playing a character who displays great fire while burdened. The performances throughout are notable, especially Aisling Franciosi. ![]() The assertion is incorrect as the writer / director / producer Jennifer Kent has gone to great lengths to segment the violence from the rape as motivations for each of the actions of the characters throughout the film. It has led to accusations of the film using the violence and rape as a device of power. This forces the viewer to face the emotion and grim reality of the impact of each of these actions. The horror is captured in the actor’s faces rather than in detail. The film has scenes that are intense in their representation of violence without ever being overly graphic. The Nightingale is not a pleasant watch, albeit intentionally so. The movie evolves into a road movie, filled with the usual tropes that follow exploring the similarities and differences between the main characters how their own experiences influence their view on the harsh realities of the world. Clare seeks justice and revenge for the violence perpetrated against her and her family.Īs part of this pursuit, she enlists the (reluctant) help of Billy, a tracker from the native Aboriginals. The first thirty minutes of the film set up the motivation and drive for the rest of the running time as she chases the British officer across the country. ![]() Her life has meaning, as she hopes to be free – free to build a life for herself, her husband and their beautiful child. The Nightingale is a 2018 film that centres around the life of Clare Carroll, an Irish convict who has worked her time in the service of a British officer, alongside many other convicts. When these travels are journeys of the soul and how our emotions shape our motivations, interesting narratives are woven. Journeys are often fraught with danger as well as facing many twists and turns. Starring: Isabella Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Baykali Ganambarr, Damon Herriman, Charlie Jampijinpa Brown and Michael Sheasby ![]()
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