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Ray Lawrence (Bliss) returned to filmmaking after a sixteen-year absence to direct “Lantana”. Adapted from his own play, scriptwriter Andrew Bovell depicts a dozen characters, reflecting a prism of modern day Sydney. One woman’s death - perhaps murder - sparks a crisis in a series on interconnecting relationships. Leon is a policeman investigating the woman’s disappearance, who’s emotional stolidity is reflected in his violent dealings with clients; his aging wife Sonja seeks counselling for her desolate personal state; her therapist Valerie, is struggling to cope with the death of her teenage daughter and the deterioration of her marriage to John, an emotionally remote academic; Jane, a lonely and aimless woman, is estranged from her husband Pete and seeks sex with Leon. Miscommunication and secret trysts (real and imagined) leads characters to draw false conclusions. Several red herrings increase the intensity of the murder mystery, but the real concern of the film is the kaleidoscope of human failings and interactions, reflecting a complex interweaving of intent and desire. Paul Kelly’s score serves as an effective moody soundtrack to the film. Winner of seven AFI awards. Cinematography by Mandy Walker. Cast includes Anthony La Paglia, Geoffrey Rush, Barbara Hershey, Kerry Armstrong, Rachael Blake, Vince Colosimo, Peter Phelps, Leah Purcell, Glenn Robins.
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Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
317110
Languages
English
English
Audience classification
MA
Subject categories
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Motion picture trailers
Crime, Espionage, Justice, Police & Prisons → Criminal investigation
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Death
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Adultery
Feature films → Feature films - Australia
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Death
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Marriage
Literature → Australian literature - Film and video adaptations
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
DVD; Access Print (Section 1)