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Unfinished Sky
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Wikipedia article
'Unfinished Sky' is a 2007 drama film written and directed by Peter Duncan. William McInnes stars as John Woldring, an Australian farmer living in self-imposed exile after his wife's death, who rescues and protects Tahmeena, played by Monic Hendrickx, an Afghani refugee who has escaped abusive local townsfolk. Deliberated by scholars and Peter Duncan as a film focused on the response to 9/11, 'Unfinished Sky' has also been described as post-national cinema, with themes of isolation, the fear of others, and the overcoming of obstacles, all relating to Australian identity.Lynden Barber, "Unfinished Sky," Australian Film website (NFSA), https://aso.gov.au/titles/features/unfinished-sky/notes/. See also the five paragraphs under "Themes," below.
Peter Duncan has reimagined the Dutch film 'The Polish Bride' (1998), in an Australian context. Monic Hendrickx, who played the title role in 'The Polish Bride', plays Tahmeena; 'Unfinished Bride' was a product of the Dutch-Australian venture New Holland Pictures, which was intent on the director's trying her for the role. In the role of John, William McInnes was praised for his portrayal of John as more isolated, stoic and wounded than his counterpart, Henk, in the Dutch film.
'Unfinished Sky' was filmed in Queensland at Beaudesert and Boonah; the cinematographer Robert Humphries deliberately framed the colours and reliability of the camera as a reflection of the familiarity of the central relationship. The first parts of the film are dramatically dull and feature the harsh Australia landscape. Editor Suresh Ayyar furthered this jaded quality by contrasting it with the vibrancy later in the film.
The film was released early on August 4, 2007, at the Brisbane Film Festival, on January 31 in the Netherlands, and on June 19 in Australia. It grossed just under $750,000 worldwide. It was relatively well received, winning various awards for best director, best adapted screenplay, best editor and best music during its theatrical release.
Plot
John Woldring (William McInnes), a widowed outback Australian farmer, is living in isolation outside a small Queensland town until Tahmeena (Monic Hendrickx), a traumatised Afghan refugee, collapses near his sheep station. Halted by an inherent cultural and language barrier, the two reconcile their similarly damaging pasts over the course of the film.
John has been suspected of murdering his wife, while Tahmeena has fled the Taliban with her daughter. She has been separated from her daughter and propertied by Bob Potter, the corrupt local pub owner, who has apparently allowed Police Sergeant Carl Allen to abuse and rape her. Now she has escaped. She and John struggle to communicate, given the language barrier, and develop a mutual attraction and, eventually a somewhat hesitant romantic relationship. They are able to reconcile differences and bond over similarities in isolation.
The intense conclusion involves a shoot-out in which John defends himself and Tahmeena from the corrupt Carl Allen, Bob Potter, and Potter's brother Mike. Later, John locates Tahmeena's daughter and brings her to Tahmeena in a refugee detention center. The closing is optimistic, as John promises that she will return to her home, which is now Australia. Both protagonists have found a place of belonging.
Cast
* William McInnes as John Woldring
* Monic Hendrickx as Tahmeena
* Billie Brown as Bob Potter
* Christopher Sommers as Mike Potter
* David Field as Sergeant Carl Allen
* Sam Cotton as Angus
* Kristina Andersen as Supermarket Shopper
* Renai Caruso as Kate
* Zulaikha Deen as Shahla (6-year-old)
* Hannah Cocker as Shahla (11-year-old)
* Scott McRae as Policemen
* Roy Billing as Royce
* Mercia Deane-Johns as Barbara
* Philippa Coutlhard as Rose
Themes
'Unfinished Sky' is presented as a rebuttal of the contextual feelings regarding global influences, reflecting on the growing connection between regions such as Asia and the Middle East, with the underlying central political and social themes lending the film as an 'example of post-national cinema.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky , Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558, With Tahmeena being an Afghani refugee, and having escaped from a brothel, the exploitation of humans through the sex trade or trafficking is centralised.Lambert, A 2011, 'Modern cinematic encounters: border crossing and environmental transformation in some recent Australian films', Studies in Australasian Cinema, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 185-192. This allows the film to reiterate the current issues regarding Australian immigration policy, with Peter Duncan commenting on how, "people have become more fearful of each other," in a post 9/11 world.Hopgood, F. 2008, Across the Universe: Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky, The Australian Teachers of Media Inc, St Kilda.mattsmoviereviews.net. (n.d.). Spotlight Interview with Unfinished Sky Writer/Director Peter Duncan 17.10.2008 Matts Movie Reviews. [online] Available at: https://mattsmoviereviews.net/spotlightduncan.htm
Fear of Others
Discussed amongst scholars in its more blatant representation and innate didactic portrayal, given Duncan's desire for it to be centralised,mattsmoviereviews.net. (n.d.). Spotlight Interview with Unfinished Sky Writer/Director Peter Duncan 17.10.2008 Matts Movie Reviews. [online] Available at: https://mattsmoviereviews.net/spotlightduncan.htmHopgood, F. 2008, Across the Universe: Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky, The Australian Teachers of Media Inc, St Kilda. the fear of others and/or of difference is a contextually relevant issue at the post 9/11 time of release.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky, Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558,11. Lambert, A 2011, 'Modern cinematic encounters: border crossing and environmental transformation in some recent Australian films', Studies in Australasian Cinema, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 185-192 Revealed in the starting of the text, John, upon meeting Tahmeena, asks, "Are you Muslim? Islam? Taliban?,", in which Khoo comments on the avoidance of these more politically divisive character traits, yet the inclusion questions the preordained perspectives that relate.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky , Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558, Lambert further interrogates the underlining depiction relating to public perception of the other, citing John's change in point of view relating to Tahmeena as a "call for changes to the tone of official policy and action."Lambert, A 2011, 'Modern cinematic encounters: border crossing and environmental transformation in some recent Australian films', Studies in Australasian Cinema, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 185-192. However, McCarthy argues against this reframing of the protagonist, reconfirming the instant attraction relates to the matching appearance to that of his late wife.12. Journal of Belonging, Identity, Language, and Diversity (J-BILD). (n.d.). multiculturalisme. [online] Available at: http://bild-lida.ca/journal/tag/multiculturalisme/.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky , Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558, Continuing, McCarthy questions the importance of this specific theme, labelling "Tahmeenas cultural specificity" as being erased when in Australia, rendering the background of being Afghani as "entirely arbitrary".Journal of Belonging, Identity, Language, and Diversity (J-BILD). (n.d.). multiculturalisme. [online] Available at: http://bild-lida.ca/journal/tag/multiculturalisme/. With this is mind, the framing of the fear of difference, and Duncan's didactic intention achieved through the reimagining of The Polish Bride seemingly falters, given a mere appropriation of culture, situating alternate identities as almost inferior to that of white culture.Journal of Belonging, Identity, Language, and Diversity (J-BILD). (n.d.). multiculturalisme. [online] Available at: http://bild-lida.ca/journal/tag/multiculturalisme/. Khoo develops this idea, clinically classifying Hendrickx's portrayal as comparable to Downey Jnr's blackface in Tropic Thunder with respect to the power dynamics at play.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky , Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558, 'Unfinished Sky's' arguably most intrinsic theme seemingly erects what it attempts to dismantle, Khoo concludingly stating the notion as, "leaving one always on one side of the fence or the other."Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky , Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558,Isolation
In his interview with McFarlane, Duncan frames John's voluntary and borderline exile in the harsh Australian landscape as entrapped isolation; the film narrates the factors that separate and detach both John and Tahmeena.Lambert, A 2011, 'Modern cinematic encounters: border crossing and environmental transformation in some recent Australian films', Studies in Australasian Cinema, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 185-192. The title refers to John's unfinished jigsaw puzzle, which symbolises a man broken over the accusation of involvement in his wife's death.aso.gov.au. (n.d.). Lynden Barber, "Curators notes, Unfinished Sky (2007)" on ASO - Australias audio and visual heritage online. [online] Available at: https://aso.gov.au/titles/features/unfinished-sky/notes/. Duncan alludes to this metaphorically, observing that "we never have that last piece of the puzzle to put in - or if we do that's when we die."McFarlane, B. 2008, Piecing Together the Puzzle: An interview with Peter Duncan, The Australian Teachers of Media Inc, St Kilda. The title motif also reflects the unfinished relationship between John and Tahmeena.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky, Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558, However, the two work together to complete the puzzle, suggesting a metaphorical recovery along with the ability to communicate wordlessly.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky , Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558,Hopgood, F. 2008, Across the Universe: Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky, The Australian Teachers of Media Inc, St Kilda.
Contextual Consequences
Besides a concern for an increasing fear of the unfamiliar, Duncan frames the film as a political and authorial undertone about growing distrust,iffr.com. (n.d.). Unfinished Sky | IFFR. [online] Available at: https://iffr.com/en/2008/films/unfinished-sky more specifically the government's policy toward asylum seekers. Lambert comments that the film can "explore ... the limits of a seemingly new Australian sensitivity to others and to the environment."The Catholic Leader. (2008). UNFINISHED SKY - Finding courage to love again. [online] Available at: https://catholicleader.com.au/culture/unfinished-sky-finding-courage-to-love-again_48142/. The ending of the film, in which Tahmeena stays, something that McCarthy notes as unrealistic contextually with respect to Australia's strict border protection policy,Journal of Belonging, Identity, Language, and Diversity (J-BILD). (n.d.). multiculturalisme. [online] Available at: http://bild-lida.ca/journal/tag/multiculturalisme/. acts as both a catalyst reflection on reality and a hopeful, more open Australia.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky , Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558,Overcoming Fears
Lambert argues that Tahmeena's character lends itself to the softening of those who should be distrusted, citing Tascon in that the love between John and Tahmeena "makes the welcome of the stranger possible in the deepest and riskiest manner."Lambert, A 2011, 'Modern cinematic encounters: border crossing and environmental transformation in some recent Australian films', Studies in Australasian Cinema, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 185-192. Here, Lambert allows for John to be reframed as a contextual Australian struck with sympathy, the completion puzzle simultaneously symbolising John's acceptance of Tahmeena in order to solve his problems, as reiterated by Khoo.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky , Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558, Once again, McCarthy offers a differing perspective, presenting the acceptance of the other as that done so with an understood power imbalance, citing Tahmeena as a character plagued by childlike representations.Journal of Belonging, Identity, Language, and Diversity (J-BILD). (n.d.). multiculturalisme. [online] Available at: http://bild-lida.ca/journal/tag/multiculturalisme/. Critics dispute whether Duncan's decision not always to subtitle Tahmeena's Arabic leaves her voiceless or reinforces the difference and need for John to overcome this.mattsmoviereviews.net. (n.d.). Spotlight Interview with Unfinished Sky Writer/Director Peter Duncan 17.10.2008 Matts Movie Reviews. [online] Available at: https://mattsmoviereviews.net/spotlightduncan.htmAustralian Identity
Duncan and film critics such as Khoo and McCarthy discuss the film's text as a revaluation of Australian identity. Whilst originating as an adaptation of "The Polish Bride", 'Unfinished Sky' represents a "changing era of globalised Australian cinema," according to Khoo, with the post-national and regional aspects making way for an identity of multiculturalist appreciation to be plausible.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky, Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558, McCarthy specifically questions this notion, quoting disproportionate favouring of White Australians in this portrayal, succinctly commenting on the resulting attempts at a reimagination in, "The result is a contextualisation of multiculturalism as a form of national heritage within an overarching commitment to the idea."Journal of Belonging, Identity, Language, and Diversity (J-BILD). (n.d.). multiculturalism. [online] Available at: http://bild-lida.ca/journal/tag/multiculturalisme/. Unfinished Sky remains a multicultural text with its effectiveness in doing so heavily questioned; however, the individualised perception of the world from John calls for a broadening of spectrums, with the omission of subtitles subtlety highlighting one-dimensional approaches.mattsmoviereviews.net. (n.d.). Spotlight Interview with Unfinished Sky Writer/Director Peter Duncan 17.10.2008 Matts Movie Reviews. [online] Available at: https://mattsmoviereviews.net/spotlightduncan.htmProduction
Development
The involvement and investment of New Holland Pictures, a combination of the Dutch company responsible for the production The Polish Bride and an Australian pair, Cathy and Mark Overett, was vital in the creation of 'Unfinished Sky'.Hopgood, F. 2008, Across the Universe: Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky, The Australian Teachers of Media Inc, St Kilda. Given that 'Unfinished Sky' is loosely based on the 1998 Dutch film ('The Polish Bride'), the joint venture production company urged the consideration of Monic Hendrickx,2. www.cinephilia.net.au. (n.d.). Unfinished Sky movie review | Cinephilia. [online] Available at: https://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=3874&reviewid=3786 who played the relevant counterpart to Tahmeena in The Polish Bride.aso.gov.au. (n.d.). Curators notes Unfinished Sky (2007) on ASO - Australias audio and visual heritage online. [online] Available at: https://aso.gov.au/titles/features/unfinished-sky/notes/. This catalysed the casting of Monic Hendrickx, with Peter Duncan (director), although originally sceptical, ultimately impressed, recasting her in his culturally appropriated reimagining.mattsmoviereviews.net. (n.d.). Spotlight Interview with Unfinished Sky Writer/Director Peter Duncan 17.10.2008 Matts Movie Reviews. [online] Available at: https://mattsmoviereviews.net/spotlightduncan.htm
Peter Duncan adapted the Dutch film in an Australian setting in response to the impact of 9/11;Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky, Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558, it was shot mainly in Beaudesert, Queensland, south of Brisbane.The Catholic Leader. (2008). UNFINISHED SKY - Finding courage to love again. [online] Available at: https://catholicleader.com.au/culture/unfinished-sky-finding-courage-to-love-again_48142/. In an interview with Matthew Pejkovic, Duncan describes the film as being about overcoming those fears, in relation to his earlier comment on how people have become more fearful of each other; he thus highlights the central message of overcoming distrust of difference.4. mattsmoviereviews.net. (n.d.). Spotlight Interview with Unfinished Sky Writer/Director Peter Duncan 17.10.2008 Matts Movie Reviews. [online] Available at: https://mattsmoviereviews.net/spotlightduncan.htm
Cinematography
The cinematography of the film, headed by Robert Humphries, attempts to mimic the characterisation and interaction of the two protagonists.mattsmoviereviews.net. (n.d.). Spotlight Interview with Unfinished Sky Writer/Director Peter Duncan 17.10.2008 Matts Movie Reviews. [online] Available at: https://mattsmoviereviews.net/spotlightduncan.htm The film is split into two parts; the opening half is distinguished by a more tonally grey image, a result of a slight crushing of colour, reflecting the coarseness of interaction between the protagonists. In union with a primary use of hand-held camera, the first half of the film acts as an internal reflection of the more abrasive relationship between Tahmeena and John.McFarlane, B. 2008, Piecing Together the Puzzle: An interview with Peter Duncan, The Australian Teachers of Media Inc, St Kilda. However, once the romantic subplot further develops, the camera movements increase in fluidity, courtesy of the increased use of the dolly, whilst the once dull colour spectrum becomes more saturated and richer.iffr.com. (n.d.). Unfinished Sky | IFFR. [online] Available at: https://iffr.com/en/2008/films/unfinished-skyCamera work is also used to metaphorically represent the characters' internal perceptions of the landscape.Olivia Khoo (2011) Australian cinema up in the air: Post-national identities and Peter Duncan's Unfinished Sky , Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 25:4, 547-558, Duncan in an interview with Brian McFarlane says that the setting is related to John's perspective: "Hes so lost his sense of place that he doesnt notice the beauty around him."McFarlane, B. 2008, Piecing Together the Puzzle: An interview with Peter Duncan, The Australian Teachers of Media Inc, St Kilda. Later sections of the film present the countryside in more vivid tones. Similarly for Tahmeena, the full extent of John's country house is not fully revealed to her at first; according to Duncan, "she is totally disorientated and cant get a full picture of it."McFarlane, B. 2008, Piecing Together the Puzzle: An interview with Peter Duncan, The Australian Teachers of Media Inc, St Kilda..
Release
The film was released globally on 19 June 2008 to a number of domestic film festivals, international screenings including Toronto and Dubai, with an earlier release of January 31 that year in the Netherlands.9. Box Office Mojo. (n.d.). Unfinished Sky. [online] Available at: https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr22041093/. It grossed $151,695 from opening at 29 theatres, staying in cinemas for 28 weeks at a total of 40 theatres and grossing $748,376 worldwide, with the vast majority of revenue coming from the Australian release ($745,484).Team, T.I. (2008). Unfinished Sky hits number 10 at the box office. [online] IF Magazine. Available at: https://www.if.com.au/unfinished-sky-hits-number-10-at-the-box-office/
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an aggregate score of 89% based on 8 positive and 1 negative critic review. The film was nominated for 10 Australian Film Institute Awards at its 2008 ceremony. It won three, including Best Screenplay, Best Actress (Monic Hendrickx) and Best Actor (William McInnes). The film received positive reviews and was generally well received by audiences.McFarlane, B. 2008, Piecing Together the Puzzle: An interview with Peter Duncan, The Australian Teachers of Media Inc, St Kilda. Its theatrical release also garnered many awards, namely; Duncan's win for Best Director, the Macquarie AFI Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editor (Suresh Ayyer), Best Screenplay and Best Music (Antony Partos) from Film Critics Circle of Australia and Best Director and Best Editing from IF Awards.iffr.com. (n.d.). Unfinished Sky | IFFR. [online] Available at: https://iffr.com/en/2008/films/unfinished-sky
'Unfinished Sky' was screened at the opening night of the 2008 Dungog Film Festival.
See also
* Cinema of Australia
References
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