Sweet Country
Sweet Country

Movie spotlight

Sweet Country

2018
Movie
113 min
English

In 1929, an Australian Aboriginal stockman kills a white station owner in self-defense and goes on the lam, pursued by a posse.

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Metacritic75/100
Google Users87%
Director: Warwick ThorntonGenres: Drama, Western, Thriller

Plot Summary

In the harsh Australian outback of the 1920s, Aboriginal stockman Sam Kelly is forced to flee into the wilderness with his family after killing a white landowner in self-defense. Pursued by a posse led by a troubled preacher and a vengeful station owner, Sam must navigate the unforgiving landscape while confronting the deep-seated racism and injustice of the era. The film explores themes of survival, morality, and the brutal realities of colonial Australia.

Critical Reception

Sweet Country received widespread critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling, stunning cinematography, and timely exploration of Australian history and its impact on Indigenous communities. Critics lauded Warwick Thornton's masterful direction and the authentic performances from its largely Indigenous cast, particularly Hamilton Morris and Lee M. M. Walker.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its visceral depiction of the Australian landscape and its contribution to Indigenous storytelling.

  • Hailed as a significant and moving Western with a strong moral core.

  • Lauded for its authentic performances and powerful social commentary.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's compelling narrative and its stark portrayal of historical injustices faced by Indigenous Australians. Many viewers found the story to be thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, highlighting the powerful performances and beautiful, yet unforgiving, cinematography.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, Best Film at the Vancouver International Film Festival, and multiple AACTA Awards including Best Cinematography and Best Original Music Score.

Fun Fact

Director Warwick Thornton, who is of the Kaytej and Arrernte people, also served as the cinematographer for the film, allowing him to capture the raw beauty and harshness of the Australian landscape through his distinct visual style.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Gimly

Gimly

I went in to _Sweet Country_ completely blind, had no idea what it was about, knew literally nothing beyond Sam Neill being in it, and the fact that it was called "_Sweet Country_" (good thing too, 'cause the trailer I watched for it a week...

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