Reviews about this film being "universal", about "love and loss", well, they half touch a point, but pretty bland, unimaginative and nothing profound whatsoever. Another had a title such as 'Australian Nature' - good title, but the review said NOTHING of interest, expanding on that. This French woman has done the marvellous work of seeing very deeply into Australia's soul. Maybe as only a foreigner could. As Australia is rightly coined, "The country with Apartheid, but without the name", don't expect an Australian to give credit to a foreigner . . . . . . . . ..................... for understanding their land, better than most Australian's understand it.
Yes, Australia is an extremely tough land. Extremely dry one season, then flooding areas the size of Europe the next. Nature is Australia's wonder and speciality, not really the post-British, neo-Yankee, people. Don't get me wrong, the film shines a positive light on Australians. Trust on them in the hard times, but beware in the good (times). If I'm wrong, (just watch the difficulty of anyone liking this review, particularly parochial Aussies), don't blame me - is the "tall poppy syndrome" a fallacy!? I didn't invent the idea! But more than my personal feelings and reactions to the film; the film maker has brought a unique touch to themes and a story that could be otherwise bland. Just when you thought you were going to experience a purely emotional adventure, bang, a better than "Tornado", people against nature ACTION opens up before you: The Death vs The Tree (it's roots and life force being a symbol of us, dead and alive - hanging on - too much?) vs The Family vs The Climate, (ie. mother nature, we mostly abandon or disrespect her, even, or especially, "country folk"). Re: cuntry folk - live on the land WITHOUT making profit from it, THEN tell me what city people don't understand or give credit to. I LOVE The Country. PS. last cute point - when the girl sees the jellyfish, does that represent potential danger? It's funny when you meet a foreigner who knows about the danger of swimming in Australia, quite unlike a majority of the rest of the world - even where there are safety nets, deadly stingers can get through... Who knows the world knows that ALWAYS people are saying "BEWARE" even when the REAL danger is non-existent, more chance of being hit by a car or lightning. Whereas in OZ, many times, it's the opposite, danger, danger, everywhere, and struggle - look for the parallel in the people too :)
Yes, Australia is an extremely tough land. Extremely dry one season, then flooding areas the size of Europe the next. Nature is Australia's wonder and speciality, not really the post-British, neo-Yankee, people. Don't get me wrong, the film shines a positive light on Australians. Trust on them in the hard times, but beware in the good (times). If I'm wrong, (just watch the difficulty of anyone liking this review, particularly parochial Aussies), don't blame me - is the "tall poppy syndrome" a fallacy!? I didn't invent the idea! But more than my personal feelings and reactions to the film; the film maker has brought a unique touch to themes and a story that could be otherwise bland. Just when you thought you were going to experience a purely emotional adventure, bang, a better than "Tornado", people against nature ACTION opens up before you: The Death vs The Tree (it's roots and life force being a symbol of us, dead and alive - hanging on - too much?) vs The Family vs The Climate, (ie. mother nature, we mostly abandon or disrespect her, even, or especially, "country folk"). Re: cuntry folk - live on the land WITHOUT making profit from it, THEN tell me what city people don't understand or give credit to. I LOVE The Country. PS. last cute point - when the girl sees the jellyfish, does that represent potential danger? It's funny when you meet a foreigner who knows about the danger of swimming in Australia, quite unlike a majority of the rest of the world - even where there are safety nets, deadly stingers can get through... Who knows the world knows that ALWAYS people are saying "BEWARE" even when the REAL danger is non-existent, more chance of being hit by a car or lightning. Whereas in OZ, many times, it's the opposite, danger, danger, everywhere, and struggle - look for the parallel in the people too :)