Black and White (2002)

Director:

Craig Lahiff

Writer:

Louis Nowra (writer)

Release Date:

31 October 2002 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

One man's conviction divided a nation

Plot:

Recreation of the landmark 1958 South Australian Court trial in which young aboriginal Max Stuart was sentenced to hang, having been found guilty of the murder of a nine year old white girl.

Plot Keywords:

Court Trial | Color In Title

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Robert Carlyle	...	David O'Sullivan
Charles Dance	...	Roderic Chamberlain
Kerry Fox	...	Helen Devaney
David Ngoombujarra	...	Young Max Stuart
Max Stuart	...	Old Max Stuart
Colin Friels	...	Father Tom Dixon
Ben Mendelsohn	...	Rupert Murdoch
Bille Brown	...	Thomas Playford
John Gregg	...	Rohan Rivett
Roy Billing	...	Det-Sgt Turner
Garry Waddell	...	Const. Jones
Patrick Duggin	...	Policeman #1
Andrew Martin	...	Policeman #2
Frank Gallacher	...	Justice Reed
Rhys McConnochie	...	Justice Abbott

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

Australia | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Duo Art Productions

Typically Australian film.

You'd never know it going by the supposed exuberance of the Australian character, but our movies are some of the most restrained and thought-provoking out there. Even our action films are a far cry from their Hollywood counterparts. Put that down to whatever you like - perhaps it's our inability (on the whole) to take ourselves seriously. You could even say the sparseness depicted in our films is a reflection of our environment.

Questionable character stereotypes aside, Black & White *is* your Archetypal Australian film - reserved, unintrusive (in terms of technique - soundtrack for instance - the story itself is another matter), rather slow-paced.

90% of the reviews I've read have been positive, if not raving. A minority have commented on the apparent detachment and lack of interest shown by the actors - especially Robert Carlyle, a "big name" overseas actor brought in (you might believe) to boost the film's stocks. How much of that attitude would be Cultural Cringe, though - a cynicism brought about by an insecurity over our significance and standing in the world at large. Forget *who* he is, maybe he was actually perfect for the part. He certainly expressed an enthusiasm for the script, role and true story when interviewed - who is anyone to doubt his word.

Anyway, regarding the apparent detachment and lack of interest; what you have to understand about this part of the world (South Australia), is that it is a rather sleepy, seemingly relaxed place. As far as Australians go, South Australians/Adelaideans are more typical of our films than our supposed national character - reserved, restrained, you might even say repressed (*I'd* definately say repressed). So, perhaps it would be beneficial to interpret the portrayal of the characters in this film as accurate and thoughtful, rather than disinterested.

Repressed is the key word. Adelaide is not just known as sleepy and relaxed. It's also commonly known as the serial murder capital of Australia (I don't know how accurate that is), and also as being rather haunted and Gothic ("City of Churches"). We have skeletons in our closets - this story relates one of them.

Spooky, isn't it?

David Ngoombujarra puts his all into his performance, and it shows. His is a stand out. Black & White seems to only be known of by about a handful of people outside South Australia. Which is a pity.

Deserves to be seen. 9/10.