Stranded (2005)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Stuart McDonald

Writer:

Kathleen O'Brien (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Awards:

7 wins

Cast

Emma Lung	...	Claudia
Emily Browning	...	Penny
Robert Morgan	...	Rex
David Hoflin	...	Cam
Nicky Wendt	...	Linda (as Nicki Wendt)
Ross Thompson	...	Earnest Vinnie
Damien Richardson	...	Eager Vinnie
Kodi Smit-McPhee	...	Teddy (as Kodi Smit)
Casside Barlow	...	Tiffany
Tracey Callander	...	Vicki
Maggie Miles	...	Aunty Jasmine
Jessica Kearton	...	Perfect Girl
Sarah Borg	...	Girl Supervisor
Sonya Suares	...	Nanny
Harry Chan	...	Shop Keeper

Also Known As:

Space Travel (Australia) (working title)

Runtime:

Australia:52 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Commission, The

Trivia:

This film was originally called "Space Travel".

Great film!

I was privileged to see this at LA Film Festival yesterday and was really impressed. It's both an exploration of how a family survives and recovers in the wake of a loss, and how a teen who's got no choice but to make her own decisions gains her own sensibilities and independence as a human being. Dealing with an apathetic father who appears to have given up and a hostile sister who's not mature enough to be without guidance, she finds a way to come to terms with the family tragedy and her own sense of loss, and finds her strength and, in doing so, provides a focus for healing. The director's creativity was constrained by the industry to produce a film of 50 minutes and did a remarkable job of exploring the circumstances and personalities involved with surprising depth. All the actors did a great job of portraying their characters; they were believable and it was possible to be empathetic even if they weren't the most likable groups of people you could meet. I rated it a 5 out of 5 in the audience survey and look forward to seeing it again.