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When looking at these compilations of the top Australian movies from each year, I pay attention to any recurring themes or trends. For instance, in 2022, three standout films focused on rivers, while half of the 2021 selections were documentaries. In 2019, there was a clear contrast between the critically acclaimed films and the most commercially successful ones, and 2018 showcased a collection of daring and uncompromising pieces.
This year, you, the reader, have the opportunity to try and identify a trend on your own. The 10 movies listed cover a diverse array of genres, from dystopian dramas to heart-wrenching documentaries, romantic films, Australian crime thrillers, horror movies, and more. In order to make it onto this list, the films had to have been released in theaters or on a streaming service outside of film festivals.
10. Limbo
Where can I view it? – ABC iView
The acclaimed Indigenous filmmaker Ivan Sen, most famous for his work on the Mystery Road series, makes a comeback with a sun-drenched outback noir film. The intense heat is visually toned down with a simple black and white aesthetic, but emotionally, Limbo remains stifling. The story follows a despondent detective (played by Simon Baker, who breaks stereotypes) as he delves into the unsolved murder of an Indigenous girl that happened two decades ago. The film is skillfully crafted and narratively unconventional, taking place long after the typical moments of climax and featuring exhausted characters who reflect on a distant past. For a complete review, continue reading.
9. Man on Earth
Where can I view it? It is not currently available for streaming, but you can request community screenings.
Tears were rolling down my face by the end of Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s heartbreaking but beautifully humane documentary about the final days of Bob Rosenzweig, a 65-year-old Jewish man living in Washington who has Parkinson’s disease and decides to end his life through assisted dying. Rosenzweig – who designed bathrooms for the likes of Elton John and Janet Jackson – invited the Australian film-maker to record his exit from the mortal coil, making preparations and bidding farewell to loved ones. It’s a tough watch but we emerge from films like this deeper and richer. You’ll never forget that ending. Read the full review.
8. The Survival of Kindness
Where can I view it? It is rentable on Amazon Prime/Apple TV+.
Rolf de Heer’s latest film, his first solo-directed in almost ten years, is a peculiar one, even for the filmmaker behind Bad Boy Bubby. This mostly wordless, symbolically dense film takes place in a dystopian future and follows the main character, known only as BlackWoman (the mesmerizing Mwajemi Hussein), who is abandoned in a locked cage in the desert by gas mask-wearing oppressors. As she breaks free and navigates this strange world, we gradually uncover more about its mysterious downfall. With stunning visuals, the film maintains a reflective and enigmatic tone.
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Where can I view it? SBS On Demand/Amazon Prime.
In her spirited documentary, Larissa Behrendt presents the idea that Richard Bell, an artist from the Kamilaroi, Kooma, Jiman and Gurang Gurang communities, has a dual nature. On one hand, he is known as Richard, a man who is deeply connected to his art and his heritage. On the other hand, there is Richie, a troublemaker who enjoys causing disruptions, such as his notorious gatecrashing of the Venice Biennale. This lively film not only showcases Bell’s life and accomplishments, but also captures his bold attitude by incorporating elements of his work into the film’s structure and visual style. To learn more about this dynamic artist, read the full review.
6. The Royal Hotel
Where to view: currently showing in theaters.
The final sequence (without revealing any spoilers) in the new movie by Kitty Green left me unsettled, but the rest of the film is excellent in a tense and unsettling way. Struggling American travelers Hanna (Julia Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick) take a job at a pub in a desolate and dusty location, following a trend in Australian productions of placing foreigners in remote areas and subjecting them to harsh weather and rough locals. The women face sexism and misogyny, with the constant threat of violence looming – not necessarily in the form of on-screen events, but in the sense that it could happen at any moment. Overall, a gripping and intense film.
5. Christmess
Where can I view: Binge
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Steve Le Marquand delivers a remarkable performance in Heath Davis’s newest film, reminiscent of his role in the acclaimed Broke from 2016. The movie, which I previously included in my list of the finest Australian films, showcases Le Marquand as a struggling alcoholic attempting to turn his life around. Despite my reservations about the title (a clever play on the protagonist’s name and the Christmas setting), the rest of the film is top-notch. The performances are convincing and the cinematography beautifully captures the working-class suburbs of Australia. The screenplay explores the idea of being trapped by one’s past while still holding onto hope for a brighter future, without veering into sentimentality.
4. Of an Age
Where can I view it: Amazon Prime?
Last year, the enigmatic horror film You Won’t Be Alone, written and directed by Goran Stolevski, topped my list. Stolevski’s subsequent work, however, is a drastic departure from the horror genre. His latest film is a raw and sweet romantic drama that captures the harsh realities of life. It begins with a sense of urgency as Ebony (played by Hattie Hook) calls her dance partner, Nikola (Elias Anton), asking him to quickly retrieve her from a beach where she has woken up. The pace slows down when Ebony’s older brother, Adam (Thom Green), offers to drive Nikola in search of her. As the two men spend time together, the possibility of a romantic relationship between them emerges, but the film never loses its captivating momentum. Read the full review for more details.
3. Shayda
Where to view: currently showing in specific movie theaters.
Following its premiere at Sundance, the first feature film by Australian-Iranian writer/director Noora Niasari garnered attention for Zar Amir Ebrahimi’s impressive performance as a woman escaping from an abusive spouse. Ebrahimi’s portrayal is both powerful and nuanced in a film that can be described with the same praises. Based on Niasari’s own childhood experiences in a refuge in Brisbane, the movie effectively builds tension and intensity, culminating in a dramatic climax. Check out the complete review.
2. Talk to Me
Where can you view: Netflix
The concept is simple yet well executed. A group of daring teenagers find excitement in using a creepy ceramic hand to summon spirits that possess their bodies. When Mia (played by Sophie Wilde) believes she can communicate with her deceased mother through the hand, the audience can anticipate the direction of the film (a journey to the underworld and back). However, the film’s execution is unpredictable and energetic, thanks to the co-directors Danny and Michael Philippou. They create an atmosphere of tension and intrigue, making the movie visually captivating from beginning to end. To read the complete review, please continue reading.
1. The Plains
Where can I view: Mubi?
The Plains, a three-hour drama by David Easteal, was featured in various festivals last year. Despite its ordinary premise, the film is paradoxically brilliant. It follows the daily work-to-home commutes of a middle-aged lawyer (played by Andrew Rakowski) as he calls his mother and wife and listens to talkback radio. While this may not sound intriguing, the film serves as a subtle reminder that stories are present in our everyday lives and that there is no one correct way to experience a film – only varying degrees of traditional or experimental approaches. For a complete review, continue reading.
Source: theguardian.com
