Stories from Life • Brian McFarlane
The Travellers and Kangaroo Reviewed
Brian McFarlane examines two recent Australian films, Kangaroo and The Travellers, both quietly earning attention for their unpretentious and sensitive storytelling. These films blend comedy and poignancy with subtle direction, offering a refreshing contrast to more iconic Australian cinema like The Man from Snowy River or Mad Max.
Kangaroo: A Semi-Biographical Tale
Directed by Kate Woods, known mainly for her TV work and the 2000 feature Looking for Alibrandi, Kangaroo is a semi-biographical film inspired by a true story. It explores a man's life and evolving concerns, diverging from the traditional biopic format.
The film begins with two episodes introducing the protagonists. The first, before the title sequence, shows a young Indigenous girl named Charlie, played by Lily Whiteley, running across the expansive Australian outback alongside bounding kangaroos.
“Inspired by a true story.”
The Travellers: Warm and Subtle
Featuring actors Luke Bracey, Brian Brown, and Susie Porter, The Travellers is marked by warmth and nuanced performances. Like Kangaroo, it offers a quietly rendered narrative uncommon in Australian cinema today.
Distinctive Australian Cinema
Both films reflect a trend toward more understated, intimate storytelling in Australian film, standing apart from louder, more action-driven classics.
“Unpretentious, sensitive, and subtly written and directed.”
Author's summary: These two Australian films show refreshing subtlety and emotional depth, highlighting a shift to more quietly powerful storytelling in modern cinema.