Lou (2010)

Living in rural New South Wales, working-class single mother Rhia (Emily Barclay) is struggling to evade debt collectors and raise three young daughters. The eldest, and hardened beyond her... See full summary »

Director:

Belinda Chayko

Writer:

Belinda Chayko

Stars:

John Hurt, Lily Bell Tindley, Emily Barclay

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Hurt	...	Doyle
Lily Bell Tindley	...	Lou (as Lily Bell-Tindley)
Emily Barclay	...	Rhia
Charlie-Rose MacLennan	...	Leanne
Eloise MacLennan	...	Lani
Daniela Farinacci	...	Mrs. Marchetti
Jay Ryan	...	Cosmo
Jonathan Segat	...	Blake
Damien Garvey	...	Colin
Logan Reilly	...	Jock

Storyline

Living in rural New South Wales, working-class single mother Rhia (Emily Barclay) is struggling to evade debt collectors and raise three young daughters. The eldest, and hardened beyond her years, Lou (Lily Bell Tindley) blames Rhia for the departure of her father, who walked out ten months ago and hasn't been seen since. Mother-daughter relations hit bottom when Rhia takes in Doyle (Sir John Hurt), her father in-law, who is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease. Doyle turns Lou's initial hostility around with exciting tales of his South Seas adventures. But coursing deepest in his mind are fractured memories of Annie, his late wife. Before long, Doyle "sees" Annie in Lou and imagines he is courting her all over again.

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Plot Keywords:

debt collector | single mother | escape from home | domestic argument | abandonment | 

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Taglines:

Love is all we need

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer, Producer, and Director Belinda Chayko said: "Films about struggling families tend to be set in grey tower blocks and other drab surroundings so much so it's become a cliché. In this region (of the Murwillumbah area in New South Wales, Australia), there's poverty, yet people are living in physically very beautiful surroundings. I think that creates a tension that I was keen to work with in the film. The other benefit is that we have ended up with some truly beautiful images which suit what I believe is a very romantic story. I wanted to create an idealized world in which these characters could exist and could dream their dreams, and the landscape helps do that."

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Connections

Featured in Lou: Interviews (2011)

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Soundtracks

Asleep in Perfection
Written by Glenn Richards
Performed by Augie March

User Reviews

Thought-provoking Aussie charmer

This is an Australian film of great depth. The simplicity can be deceptive but like all great writing the trick is to say enough without saying too much. The combination of the writing and the acting synergistically magnifies the impact of what could seem to those on a steady diet of blockbusters a slow film. On an obviously tight budget sometimes so much can be delivered. By relying on good acting,writing, direction an impact can be had which exceeds that of the 100 million dollar epic. In digging deeper, director Belinda Chayko calls us as an audience to also give more. This is a giving which is rewarded. after watching the film last night, the questions were still rattling away the next day as I write this. John Hurt really is fabulous as Doyle, while Lilly Bell-Tindlay is in danger of stealing the show. If you like beautiful images, you are in for a treat as the Tweed Valley is shown to it's best advantage. While I know that this will not be the sort of movie for everyone, I do know that it left my life just a bit richer.

Details

Official Sites:

Bankside Films Official Facebook

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 June 2010 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Lou - Storia di un sentimento

Filming Locations:

Cabarita Beach, Cabarita, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Film Victoria, Head Gear Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1