Strangerland (2015)

A family finds their dull life in a rural outback town rocked after their two teenage children disappear into the desert, sparking disturbing rumors of their past.

Director:

Kim Farrant

Writers:

Michael Kinirons, Fiona Seres (story)

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes, Hugo Weaving

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicole Kidman	...	Catherine
Joseph Fiennes	...	Matthew
Hugo Weaving	...	Rae
Lisa Flanagan	...	Coreen
Meyne Wyatt	...	Burtie
Maddison Brown	...	Lily
Nicholas Hamilton	...	Tom
Jim Russell	...	Alan Robertson
Sean Keenan	...	Steve Robertson
Bronwyn Penrith	...	Rose
Trangi J. Speedy-Coe	...	Jarrah
Morgan Junor-Larwood	...	Slug (as Morgan Junor Larwood)
Chris Pattinson	...	Deputy Pete
Reef Ireland	...	Guy in State Park
Martin Dingle Wall	...	Neil McPherson

Storyline

Newcomers to the remote Australian desert town of Nathgari, Catherine and Matthew Parker's lives are flung into crisis when they discover their two teenage kids, Tommy and Lily, have mysteriously disappeared just before a massive dust storm hits. With Nathgari eerily smothered in red dust and darkness, the townsfolk join the search led by local cop, David Rae. It soon becomes apparent that something terrible may have happened to Tommy and Lily. Suspicions run riot, rumours spread and public opinion turns savagely against the Parkers. With temperatures rising and the chances of survival plummeting with each passing day, Catherine and Matthew find themselves pushed to the brink as they struggle to survive the mystery of their children's fate.

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Plot Keywords:

australia | calling someone a pain in the ass | pharmacist | drugstore | tattoo | 

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Taglines:

To find the truth they must lose themselves

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexuality and brief graphic nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Third collaboration between Nicole Kidman and Hugo Weaving, following Happy Feet (2006) and Bangkok Hilton (1989). This will be the first time in 26 years that they share scenes together.

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Quotes

Lily Parker: Touch in the dark. No one can see. Touch in the dark. You... touch me.

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Soundtracks

Kamikaze Origami
Written and performed by Jen Cloher
With additional arrangements by Keefus Ciancia

User Reviews

This is so much better than people give it credit for

Don't listen to the people saying it doesn't make sense or it doesn't have an ending or whatever. Look, this film isn't really for everyone, because it's slow-paced and not a lot is happening all the time, but certain things are undeniably great about this film, like the acting and the cinematography and the soundtrack and the REALISM. This film really surprised me in it that it's not at all "hollywoodized". It's purely just real. It reveals human nature in a way that not a lot of films do, as in, people are more complicated that we give them credit for, and they act certain ways for a number of reasons that we just won't know on the getgo. In the beginning of the film, you'll probably find yourself annoyed with a lot of characters, but as you learn more about them and realize that there's more to them than what you first saw, you kind of feel bad for judging them. My only small nitpicks about this film is that some scenes I wish they had long static shots of the characters, like in Shame if you ever saw that film, because it would've fit better than cutting between the faces of the people, but other than that, this is a well made film. Don't go into this film with any "pre-judgements", because it's likely not correct. All that I can say is this is not an action packed film. It's not really a thriller. It's not a fantastical plot. It's slow and steady and real.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

Ireland Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Strangerland

Filming Locations:

Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,472, 12 July 2015

Gross USA:

$17,472

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$111,107

Company Credits

Production Co:

Worldview Entertainment, Fastnet Films, Dragonfly Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1