As four teens navigate the flashpoint of adolescent relationships, their lives will be forever scarred by a tragedy that engulfs their city. Teenagers Billie and Laura, who live in Canberra’s suburban outskirts, are best friends and share everything – even, as it turns out, Laura’s boyfriend Danny, although Laura doesn’t know this. During the summer of Canberra’s bushfires, Billie’s mother welcomes the troubled Isaac into her care and his presence causes disarray in the girls’ friendship: Laura finds herself drawn to the gentle but intense newcomer while Billie’s unpredictable ways threaten self-destruction.
Cinematography
Hazy orange skies that make suburbia feel apocalyptic.
Acting
Cummings' chaotic energy versus Sullivan's devastating restraint.
Direction
Graham's patient, observational style lets disaster creep in slowly.
Director
Rhys Graham
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot during actual Canberra bushfire season, the orange skies are largely practical — no filters needed. The 2003 Black Saturday fires still haunt Australian cinema.
Graham deliberately withholds the explicit fire footage until late, making the environmental disaster mirror the characters' internal combustion. The flames you don't see burn hotter.
AU
