September

Review by Clint Morris

Seasonally speaking, September is immerse with promise, bursting with vibrant colour, and opulently warm. And so is the movie of the same name.

The inaugural project in the newly-established Tropfest program, September essentially tells the story of the rift that developed between the “white man” and the aboriginal in the 60s.

Focus here is on two young friends, Ed (Xavier Samuel), the son of a white landowner, and Paddy (Clarence John Ryan), the Aboriginal boy whose family works on their farm. When the relationship of the boys’ father’s starts to sour (indigenous rights are beginning to be asserted, and Paddy’s father kindly requests payment for jobs done, in addition to the free rent he receives currently) in turn so does theirs.

Newcomer Peter Carstairs has crafted a film that simmers along ever so justly until the temperature’s raised late in the third act – maybe too late for some. And yet while many may will whine about the languorous pacing of his film, and grow impatient for it to make its point, those that are aware that life doesn’t usually move as fast as it does in a Batman film or Transformers movie, will appreciate the realistic pace of this story-first entry. Like a university course, if you stay with it you’ll be rewarded.

Like Rabbit Proof Fence and Paradise Road, two other important Australian movies about some of the most crucial periods in our nation’s history, there’s an important tale in tow here. At times Carstairs seems more interested in capturing the beautiful scenery, than staying on the main characters, and that’s possibly a tip-off that he’s forgotten he’s not making short films anymore; therein lays the film’s main weakness. For the most part though, he’s done a good job (and though the intolerant may dispute), gets the point across beautifully.

September touches as much as it informs.

3.5 out of 5

September
Australian release: 29th November, 2007
Cast: Xavier Samuel, Clarence John Ryan, Kieran Darcy-Smith
Director:  Peter Carstairs