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Samson and Delilah:"Enduring love & heartache"

Writer's picture: eclectic Stefaneclectic Stefan



Celebrate NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week is an Australian observance lasting from the first Sunday in July until the following Sunday. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It has its origins in the 1938 Day of Mourning, becoming a week-long event in 1975.


Due to the long-lasting nature of film imagery, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

 

Samson and Delilah (2009)

An unhurried film with not much dialogue set in a remote community in Central Australia might not sound like an engaging film experience but anyone who leaves the cinema after seeing Samson and Delilah without their head spinning needs to check they have a pulse and active brainwaves.

There is also the non-stop playing of a reggae instrumental tune by a band of young Aboriginal musicians that will make you take notice.

Samson and Delilah does more than engage the viewer. It will make you feel despair, anger, and frustration. You will definitively be challenged and confronted.


Samson and Delilah


The film unfolds the developing love between two Aboriginal teenagers.

Samson (Rowan McNamara) spends an aimless existence, sleeping, annoying Delilah and, when he gets bored or angry, sniffing petrol.

Delilah (Marissa Gibson) is a confident, non-judgemental young woman who cares for her grandmother and assists her grandmother in creating Aboriginal artworks.

One sees clearly Delilah’s self-respect and sense of responsibility.


Through a series of unfortunate events, Delilah experiences heartache, injustice and cruelty that makes her see the world and the people in that world, both indigenous and non-indigenous, through stinging tears. She also discovers that kindness and generosity come from unexpected places.


Official trailer Samson and Delilah


This film is not about stereotypes. Other movies rely on special effects to give the audience an explosive movie experience. Director Warwick Thornton uses images, sounds and ordinary props, such as a wheelchair, to foreshadow dire consequences for the key players in this drama. One scene, in particular, featuring a sudden, unexpected impact will make you lurch. And there is also the relentless playing of a reggae instrumental tune by a band of young Aboriginal musicians that will entrance you.

Samson and Delilah uses the human condition like a shovel to the back of one’s head. Director Warwick Thornton reaches into your thoughts and emotions and pulls them apart.







WATCH Samson and Delilah (2009)

Available to Stream/Buy/Rent on Apple TV+, Stan, Google Play, Oz Flix, & SBS On Demand.

Check availability for your region.

See link below.








LINK TO WATCH: Samson and Delilah on all available streaming services

 





Blackfellas (1993)

A part-Aboriginal teenage ex-convict (John Moore) is led back into crime by his reckless cousin, Floyd (David Ngoombujarra).


WATCH: Rent on Beamafilm.

Check availability in your region.




Based on the book The Day of The Dog by Archie Weller, Blackfellas director James Ricketson's film tells of a part-Aboriginal teenager (John Moore) caught between his allegiance to his "people" and his aspirations to escape the cycle of abuse and self-destructive behaviour in which they live in the name of "brotherhood".

Source: Blackfellas (Day of the Dog) (Film) - Creative Spirits https://www.creativespirits.info/resources/movies/blackfellas-day-of-the-dog


 

Blackfella Films Production Company

"For over twenty years Blackfella Films has created innovative and high quality content across factual and drama in both series and feature formats for theatrical, television and online platforms. Its award winning productions have screened at the premier international film festivals including Sundance, Berlin and Toronto, and distinguished its team as creators and curators of distinctive Australian content.

The company was founded in 1992 by writer/director/producer Rachel Perkins who was joined by producer Darren Dale in 2001. In 2010 Blackfella Films was a recipient of Enterprise funding from Screen Australia and former ABC Television Head of Drama Miranda Dear joined the company as a producer with a brief to develop the company’s drama slate."

from About - Blackfella Films, online

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Screen Speak acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present.

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