In this inversion of the buddy-film two technicians manning a tracking station on the High Plains pursue diametrically opposed ways of coping with the isolation. The ageing Cunningham seems to be rejuvenated by and obsessed with the landscape while the younger Barker withdraws into the station and its attendant technology. Return to Barker’s Melbourne becomes a descent into a fragmented, nightmare cityscape. The denial of cause and effect explanations for behaviour invites a metaphysical interpretation of this ambiguously down-side existential drama of disorientation and alienation not dissimilar to Werner Herzog’s visionary dramas although without the German director’s quirky black humour. Cast: Richard Moir, Reg Evans, Gerard Kennedy.
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
323822
Language
English
Audience classification
MA
Subject categories
Drama
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Alienation (Philosophy)
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Social isolation
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Alienation (Philosophy)
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Alienation (Social psychology)
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Social isolation
Feature films
Feature films → Feature films - Australia
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Alienation (Social psychology)
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)
MPEG-1 Digital File - 2MB Rate; Copy