Corroboree (2007)

Director:

Ben Hackworth

Writers:

Ben Hackworth (writer)
Peter Savieri (writer)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Plot:

A beautiful young man has been summoned to an eerie meditation retreat by a dying theatre director....

Cast

Conor O'Hanlon	...	Conor
Rebecca Frith	...	Dr. Elsja
Natasha Herbert	...	Lena
Susan Lyons	...	Verna
Margaret Mills	...	Anne
Ian Scott	...	Director
Jethro Lazenby	...	Little Joe

Also Known As:

I Won't Grow Up (Australia) (working title)

Runtime:

Australia:95 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby (original release)

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Hepburn Springs, Victoria, Australia

Company:

I Won't Grow Up

would probably be an 7 .... but for Australian film a 10

It's really refreshing to see something like this come out of Australia. While I was watching it during the screening, I noticed a few people in the audience were restless, which is understandable because we don't see a lot of cinema like this in Australia, except for during the festivals. This is more like an obscure Asian or old fashioned European film than the sort of drama we're used to from Australia.

The long takes, actors wandering in and out of the frame, the faded childlike colors evoking a nostalgia but also witty reference to the type of theatrical story it is.

I was most impressed by the acting. The boy is really good, and he gets better as the film goes on, which is clearly the intention of the film. And the actresses are really interesting. Particularly the hypnotist woman, who I have seen in other films but is especially good here. I also thought the spitting actress was very good too, quite detestable and quite warm also.

I also think the composition of the shots is one of the strong points of the film. Some beautiful attention to detail throughout gives the story a painterly feel.

Reading the other reviews, a few people lament the lack of story and dramatic signposts. I understand their sentiment, but I don't think it's really this kind of film. Maybe, because it's Australian that's what they expect.

If anything, the dramatic story moments such as the dark haired boy, (son of the director?) let down the film's austere quality. That's my opinion.

On a world scale, I'd give it a 6.5/7 .... but on an Australian scale.... I have to give it a 10.