Mystery Road is a phenomenal work of Outback Noir from Gamilaroi filmmaker Ivan Sen. It intrigues as both a police procedural and an exploration of the racial tension that exists in the heart of our country.
Aaron Pedersen, born in my home town of Mparntwe, is detective Jay Swan, investigating the un-aliving of a young Indigenous girl near the Queensland Outback town of Winton. Swan, whose daughter was a contemporary of the victim, is determined to solve the crime despite an apathetic response from his colleagues and superiors in the force, and what he unravels has far deeper connections that he could ever have imagined.
Pedersen, as Swan, is an outcast of two worlds. His cultural identity sees him shunned by most of his fellow officers. His status as a police officer sows mistrust within his community. And yet he maintains an admirable, steadfast determination to do what is right, in the face of unapologetic racism. Even the quote/unquote ‘good’ white fellas opt for a ‘keep the peace’ blind eye turned approach.
Pedersen shines amongst a stellar cast including Hugo Weaving, Samara Weaving, Tasma ‘Cousin Dash’ Walton, Damien Walsh Howling, Ryan Kwanteen, Zoe Carides, Tony Mokbel, David Field, Bruce Spence and Jack Thompson.
The homes. The people. The despair. This has an authenticity that is tangible, a look and feel so expertly capturing that which exists beyond the coastal existence of life in Australia.
Mystery Road is a phenomenal work of Outback Noir from Gamilaroi filmmaker Ivan Sen. It intrigues as both a police procedural and an exploration of the racial tension that exists in the heart of our country.
Aaron Pedersen, born in my home town of Mparntwe, is detective Jay Swan, investigating the un-aliving of a young Indigenous girl near the Queensland Outback town of Winton. Swan, whose daughter was a contemporary of the victim, is determined to solve the crime despite an apathetic response from his colleagues and superiors in the force, and what he unravels has far deeper connections that he could ever have imagined.
Pedersen, as Swan, is an outcast of two worlds. His cultural identity sees him shunned by most of his fellow officers. His status as a police officer sows mistrust within his community. And yet he maintains an admirable, steadfast determination to do what is right, in the face of unapologetic racism. Even the quote/unquote ‘good’ white fellas opt for a ‘keep the peace’ blind eye turned approach.
Pedersen shines amongst a stellar cast including Hugo Weaving, Samara Weaving, Tasma ‘Cousin Dash’ Walton, Damien Walsh Howling, Ryan Kwanteen, Zoe Carides, Tony Mokbel, David Field, Bruce Spence and Jack Thompson.
The homes. The people. The despair. This has an authenticity that is tangible, a look and feel so expertly capturing that which exists beyond the coastal existence of life in Australia.
