Nothing like a real aboriginal community
I finally saw this movie and I'm really surprised by all the positive publicity and reviews, and no one seeming to mention how unrealistic this was of an actual aboriginal community.
This was filmed at an abandoned place with a small cast. That was so obvious - because there was absolutely no sense of a real community. People are constantly talking, laughing, arguing, kids playing, women gathered in circles - chatting, playing card,s painting etc. Men hanging out together, telling stories. There was none of that in this movie. In all my years of living and working in remote communities, I have never seen people just hanging out alone, a teenager having no one to hang out with. In reality, the old women sit around together, teenagers walk around together, kids are always out playing.
Communities are like big extended families. Yes, there is violence, especially in the more dysfunctional places, listlessness and sadness. But there is also a lot of activity and people sharing and joy. People are rarely alone like everyone in this movie. It made no sense why there was no one else at the clinic - normally a community clinic is abuzz with activity, or at the church. If someone dies, the whole community comes together to mourn. Depending on the community, there will be indigenous ceremonies or a church service, or often both.
It makes me sad to think that for many Australians, this is the only glimpse they get in to an indigenous community. This movie didn't capture the highs and lows of life in a community or of the strong sense of community that exists.