Snowtown @ BFI London Film Festival, 17 October
IT was the story that painted South Australia as the serial killer capital of Australia and made a small country town a tourist attraction for all the wrong reasons. The “bodies in the barrels” case was seemingly tailor-made to be portrayed as a Saw style horror film on the big screen and yet first time feature director Justin Kurzel has taken a different path.
The film revolves around Jamie, played by first time actor Lucas Pittaway, a 16 year old living in the northern suburbs of Adelaide who seems rudderless amongst the trauma surrounding him. Direction arrives in the shape of charismatic John (Daniel Henshall). Initially taking on the role of protector of Jamie and his family, John quickly takes on a father figure role, introducing Jamie to his unique ideology and his like minded friends over who he holds court.
As soon as Jamie begins to rely on John for guidance, the true nature and willingness of John to put his own words into action are revealed. Henshall’s portrayal of Australia’s most notorious serial killer, Bunting, is a sinister and compelling performance emphasised by the innocence and naivety Jamie begins with but progressively loses throughout the film.
The dark nature of the film is enhanced by its haunting score and the ominous feeling is introduced from the opening sequence as Jamie narrates a recurring vivid dream which proves to be mild in its imagery compared to the experiences that await him. The prolonged intensity of the film makes for some difficult viewing at times with this viewer walking out completely drained of energy due to the emotional demands of watching.
Snowtown is a terrific piece of Australian cinema screened as part of the London Film Festival and will be released in the UK on 18 November, 2011.
Don’t miss:
Snowtown + Live Q&A with director Justin Kurzel and actor Lucas Pittaway
Hosted by Empire’s Kim Newman @ Everyman Screen On The Green, Wednesday, 19 October, 8.15pm
Everymancinema.com/cinemas/
