Stories from Life • Brian McFarlane
The Travellers and Kangaroo Reviewed
Brian McFarlane reviews two recent Australian films, The Travellers and Kangaroo, both quietly deserving attention for their subtlety and warmth.
Warmth and Subtlety in Australian Cinema
These films offer a sensitive and understated approach, blending comedy and poignancy. They stand apart from more traditional Australian films like The Man from Snowy River or Mad Max, delivering a style less commonly recognized in the national cinema.
Kangaroo by Kate Woods
Directed by Kate Woods, primarily known for her TV work apart from the 2000 feature Looking for Alibrandi, Kangaroo is a semi-biographical film inspired by a true story. It explores a man’s life and shifting preoccupations in a unique way, avoiding the conventions of a typical biopic.
The film begins with two episodes introducing the protagonists. In the first, before the title appears, a young Indigenous girl named Charlie (played by Lily Whiteley) runs through a panoramic outback Australian landscape, with kangaroos bounding alongside her.
"Inspired by a true story," as the opening title states, the film offers a personal and quietly charming narrative.
Author's summary: These films showcase Australian cinema's ability to tell quietly powerful, nuanced stories that blend humor and emotion with a fresh perspective.
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