SYNOPSIS
Ben and Ellen Bell and their eleven year old daughter, Matilda, have a never-say-die spirit that has seen them through countless brushes with misfortune in a country plagued by drought. Their lineage has been at the heart of Australia for generations; sheep farmers with a passion for the land. Matilda Bell is a spirited country girl and plays an important part on the farm. She drives a tractor, helps with the shearing, and is popular among her friends at school. But she’s not blind to the troubles besetting her family and others in the Bundooma district.
Drought sweeps through the Australian outback with devastating consequences. The recession of the 1990s fans the flames with bank foreclosures on farms becoming the rule, rather than the exception. Even Matilda’s school is threatened with closure because of the falling number of students. As the price of wool tumbles and sheep die from drought, Ben Bell rebounds with a scheme to supplement their feed with molasses. The spectre of doom is transformed into a merry adventure.
Then adversity strikes directly and with vengeance. A ferocious dust storm destroys most of the sheep and almost flattens the Bell home. Matilda and Ben escape unharmed from their overturned truck, but Ellen is almost killed. This time there will be no swift recovery.
But the Bell family have been time-tested to survive. They face their greatest challenge, and the challenge transforms them forever. In a world where life can be hard and nature can be cruel, a close family can survive anything.
Winner of Best Picture, Jury and Most Popular Film Awards in South America, Europe and Australia including the Crystal Bear, 1994 Berlin Film Festival
“In presenting the realities of life on the land, as well as our multicultural urban landscape, you have added a new dimension to the understanding of Australia for those who think of it merely as an attractive tourist destination.”
Paul J Keating
Prime Minister of Australia
“Better than any 1994 Australian Film… contrasts an almost mythic Australia with today’s multicultural nation. The film acknowledges that it is not easy for an Asian boat people and descendents of the First Fleeters to find common ground; but the message, imparted with considerable subtlety, is that they must keep trying. It is rare for a film to demonstrate such a clear and consistent appeal to audiences aged nine to 90.”
The Age
Neil Jillett
STARRING
- AMY TERELINCK – Matilda Bell
- GEOFF MORRELL – Ben Bell
- SUSAN LYONS – Ellen Bell
- GERALDINE JAMES – Ann Marie O’Dwyer
- JOHN HARGREAVES – Clive Ryan
CREW
- DIRECTOR – David Elfick
- PRODUCERS – David Elfick & Eric Fellner
- SCRIPTWRITER – David Holman