Story and Photos by Gordon Parr.
“Beautiful Kate”
As a highlight in Australia Day at the fest, Rachel Ward came to Palm Springs with her directorial debut movie, “Beautiful Kate,” and presented it to a sold-out theater today (1/9/10). She appeared at the Q& A with her real-life leading man, Bryan Brown. He plays the father in the story about a dysfunctional family fraught with abuse and Incest.
Ward appeared defensive when asked by Festival Director Darryl Macdonald if the story line wasn’t a bit difficult for general audiences. She said she would rather make a movie about a difficult subject than one about a family sitting around eating peanuts.
And she voiced it so charmingly that no one could disagree.
Bryan Brown admitted he had visited a few places where he could see elderly and dying patients in order to make his role more authentic. The audience seemed to agree that he made the role very real.
“Samson & Delilah”
Another film from down under and a candidate for best foreign language film was this effort directed by Warwick Thornton.
Following two aboriginal teens through monotonous days in the Central Australian desert, we can feel the boredom and poverty they suffer. The sporadic dialogue is in their native tongue without subtitles, so the movie is nearly silent - except for the incessant reggae trio that plays in front of Samson’s living space.
Violence in the little settlement finally drives the two teens out to the nearest big city, where the contrast of the elegant lifestyle is a jarring contrast to the life they knew.
The long periods of silence, the abuse and violence make this a difficult movie to watch though it is nearly redeemed by the sweeping views of the Australian desert and mountains.
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