The Flood

Not since The Chant Of Jimmy Blacksmith of the late 70s has there been such a violent and disturbing Australian film which has dealt with the Aboriginal’s retribution on white man for the atrocities afflicted upon them.

Set during WWII it was claimed that any Aboriginal who served at war would be treated equally upon their return – they lied.

The film follows Jarah and her husband’s harrowing journey to locate their missing daughter who has been stolen and put to work on a farm.  “Saddle up – it’s going be a bumpy ride!” announces Jarah as she takes charge.

Filmed in the picturesque Kangaroo Valley, this is an extremely violent movie with a graphic gang rape scene that leaves nothing to the imagination. What started out as powerful filmmaking deflated in the second half owing to the overly ambitious Tarantino style of filmmaking which seemed to trivialise the subject matter. The dark humour, symbolic sequences, non-linear format, and endless flashbacks also compounded to the film’s degradation.

Indisputably the horrendous and undignified treatment of Aboriginals in the darkest chapters of our history is a significant issue and should never be forgotten, but this film underwhelmed. (MMo)

★★ ½

                        Available on disc & digital platforms January 6, 2021