A young girl named Katherine and her older friend Hester live on an isolated farm run by Hester and her father Francis. Katherine works as a maid and wants to leave because there's too much work. Hester, however, becomes attracted to Katherine and holds her there, promising to give her less work in the future. When Francis dies, Hester decides to sell the farm for cash. They move to a small cottage on the edge of the farm and plan to go to Europe, but a tragic accident and the theft of their money changes their plans.
Acting
Pamela Rabe's smoldering restraint will haunt you for days.
Cinematography
Dusty Australian landscape as beautiful prison cell.
Direction
Lang's debut simmers with unspoken female desire.
Director
Samantha Lang
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Samantha Lang was only 28 when she directed this, making her one of Australia's youngest feature directors at the time. The confidence is criminal.
Based on Elizabeth Jolley's novel, the film strips away the book's multiple perspectives to trap us solely with Hester's unreliable longing.
AU
