Samson and Delilah
Starring: Rowan McNamara, Marissa Gibson, Mitjili Napanangka Gibson, Scott Thornton
Directed by Warwick Thornton
Rating: MA
Samson and Delilah is the debut feature film by director Warwick Thornton. It follows the silent, gradual partnership between two aboriginal teenagers, Samson (McNamara) and Delilah (Gibson) in a remote, impoverished community outside Alice Springs.
The beginning of the film outlines the two teenagers' tedious and routine-driven days, which for Delilah consist of waking her Nana up and making sure she takes her medication, taking her to the health centre, helping her paint her dot paintings and then putting her to bed.
For Samson it consists of petrol sniffing and listening to his brothers play a neverending riff on the guitar and drums, envious that he is not included. Due to unfortunate circumstances Samson and Delilah are forced to flee the community. Although Delilah is resentful towards Samson at first, she slowly warms to him and their relationship blossoms.
I believe the key to a good film is its visual aesthetics. It has to look good for the viewer. This film wins hands down. Thornton has taken full advantage of the location. The film includes many stunning visual shots of the landscape and deep, syrupy sunsets and sunrises.
The whole film is shot using a handheld camera, but this is an example of how to use one effectively and properly. There are no attempts to be profound or edgy - the camerawork is simple, raw and real.
When I learnt that there was no dialogue between the two main characters I couldn't understand how it could have an impact on the viewers. How would we know what was really going on? Of course, I ate my hat. The thing that made this film work was the performances.
The title characters build an immense screen presence, and over the course of the film, through hand actions and facial expressions we come to understand the two teens. In addition, the ensemble cast is a memorable bunch. Delilah's Nana and Gonzo, the homeless drunk that befriends them under a bridge, provide the film with some necessary comic relief. However, I'm sure that some critics will still claim the film is too much of a downer.
This film gives us a rare insight into a world that many of us know nothing about. Thornton has delivered us a real, raw, sometimes shocking, but ultimately unforgettable tale that impacts upon the viewer immensely. For a debut film, it is flawless, and would be, in my opinion, one of the best Indigenous Australian stories ever told. It's tender, realistic and, at the end of the day, a love story.
5/5 stars :)
