Australian Cinema Critical Review
Natural Justice: Heat (1996)
Film Information
Cast (in Alphabetical order)
Steve Bastoni
Paul Tancred
David Davies (III)
Male Reporter
Peter Finlay (I)
Lloyd
Martin Jacobs
Clive Harivald
Claudia Karvan
Asta Cadell
John Moore (VIII)
Dacey Ferguson
Kyle Morrison
Dale Ferguson
Lynette Narkle
Alice Ferguson
Maurie Ogden
Walter
Kate O'Sullivan (I)
Female Reporter
Ashlee Penny
Lily Ferguson
Melodie Reynolds
Glenda Ferguson
Igor Sas
Detective Buckley
Jeremy Sims
Gavin Larsen
Sonia Todd
Jennifer Harivald
Blair Venn
Detective Quinlan
Maggie Wilde West
Maggie Prescott
Nigel Wilkes
Uncle Bob
Credits
Director
Scott Hartford-Davis
Writing credits
Beverley Blankenship
Michael Brindley
Leon Saunders
Producers
Paul D. Barron
Bill Hughes (I)
Associate Producer
Jan Tyrrell
Original Music
Mario Millo
Cinematographer
Russell Bacon
Film Editor
Christopher Spurr
Production Designer
Kelvin Sexton
Art Direction
Nigel Devenport
Costume Designer
Terry Lamera
Make-Up Artist
Lesley Rouvray
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michael Faranda - first assistant director
Sandy Stevens (I) - second assistant director
Melissa Hasluck - third assistant director
Production Company
Barron Entertainment Ltd.(also did predecessor Shame in 1987)
Screen West
Amalgamated Television Services (of Seven Network)
Funding companies
The Australian Film Finance Corporation (also funded Two Hands, Murielâs Wedding, Lantana)
Western Australian Lotteries Commission (also funded Teesh and Trude)
First screened: on Channel 7 as a first release Australian Drama.
Category: Australian Drama feature Film ö in the same league as The Sum of Us (1994) 6.4 drama score,
Class: Features/Telemovies/Telefeatures/Radio and TV play
Length of broadcast: 120 minutes
Rated: M for Mature Audiences
Genre: Drama
Film Locations: York, Western Australia (97kms East of Perth) and Perth Western Australia.
Because this film was produced and filmed here in WA, many of the extras on the set were West Australian.
NOTE: On IMDB this film is listed both as a movie AND as a TV series, but is the same movie.
CRITICAL REVIEW
Synopsis
Almost like a sequel to the movie Shame (1987) hot shot bike riding lawyer Asta Cadell arrives in the small town of York to find herself caught up in a bitter battle of police corruption, racism, adultery, jealousy, violence and murder. The film begins with a person (unidentified at this stage) riding a motorbike on the open road. After a few of these rather scenic shots, an Aboriginal woman (Glenda Ferguson) is seen walking along the deserted road. The person on the bike stops to help and when the helmet is removed, Asta Cadell is introduced. She takes the woman home to her family, and it is revealed she was beaten up by a police officer. Determined to fight this injustice, she offers to help Glenda, however she declines with the belief the police wonât help her ö "it was a cop who done it to me". The following day Asta witnesses an incident where the police constable antagonizes Glenda and her brother Dacey (most likely because of their Aboriginality.) Dacey punches the constable and is taken to the police station. Asta steps in and becomes his lawyer free of charge. Police constable Larson plays rough with the Aboriginal townspeople, and sergeant Paul Tancred overlooks certain instances and people ö leaving neither police officers of much help to Asta. The richest and most powerful man in the town (a property developer) Clive Harivold deals business fraudulently, illegally and unethically with other countries, and is the driving force behind the bad treatment of the (main) Aboriginal family as he wants to build his resort right where they live. Then there is Cliveâs drunken wife Jennifer, who is having an affair with Dacey. Between these characters is a web of lies, jealousy, and intrigue, with the viewer never knowing quite what will happen next. It is not revealed until about halfway into the movie, that the Îpuppeteerâ of all the characters is Clive Harivold. He controls the police, so when he kills his wife he frames Dacey for her murder. Dacey knows Clive w ill frame him, so he goes into hiding in the bush. This frustrates Clive and he tells Constable Larson to "flush Dacey Ferguson out!" Larson sets fire to his motherâs home. Luckily Asta and Glenda arrive in time to rescue Glendaâs sleeping mother, brother and sister. Soon after, Dacey learns of the fire (through Larson planting a burned bike) and when Dacey arrives home to see it burned to the ground, Larson makes his move to arrest Dacey by pointing a gun at him. Dale (Daceyâs younger brother) intervenes and gives Dacey a rifle. Larson panics and shoots Dacey (but doesnât kill him). Asta doesnât believe that Dacey murdered Jennifer Harivold and so she searches until she discovers the truth and Dacey is released of his murder charge. What else is discovered, apart from the fact that Clive killed his own wife, was that Cliveâs business was built on fraud and numerous charges were placed on him. Once all is resolved, Asta says good-bye to the town of York and moves on, with the same footage from the beginning of the film, at the end, with her riding her bike on the open road.
Natural Justice: Heat in relation to film in the 1990âs
This film held many of the qualities of the 1990âs films, with specific relation to multiculturalism. It also fits into many genreâs (a trend which began in the 1980âs). It can be considered a drama, road movie or even melodrama. This movie aimed to promote a more just society, with Asta risking everything to create justice for the Aboriginal family. Asta saw the injustice served to this family and so risked everything to see justice served. However, it also portrayed contemporary issues such as racism, police corruption and gender. This fits into the general trend for Australian films made in the 1990âs, and represented the unity and diversity of Australian cinema.
"Critics enjoined the Australian industry to make films Îthat dealt now with what it means or feels like to be alive in Australiaâ (Bennett 1979). Film makers needed to deal with Îthe structure and fabric of Australian society and stimulate us by exploring contemporary individuals, institutions, issues.â"(OâRegan 1996: 196)
This movie dealt with all three concepts mentioned above ö contemporary individuals (both Aboriginal and white Anglo Australian), institutions (police, and the law system) and issues (such as racism, multiculturalism, police corruption etc).
The rural landscape is featured prominently throughout the film. The difference from the rural township, to the isolated bush home of Alice, Dacey and Glenda Ferguson, to the open rural landscape of the open road with the contrast of the green bush land, the red/orange gravel and the bitumen road.
However, it also contradicts the film trend for the 1990âs as it was entirely Australian filmed, produced and funded.
This movie exhibits a lot if issues to do with power, class and Aboriginality. The movie centres around the injustice served to the Fergusonâs. The Ferguson family is of the Nyungar Aboriginal family. They are looked down upon by the townspeople because of their Aboriginality. They live somewhat isolated from the rest of the township, so much so that Daceyâs only form of work is building a fence for his girlfriend Jennifer (a white, alcoholic wife of the most powerful man in town).
While not prominent, there are elements of Australianâs distinctiveness as a national cinema. It has moments of Îquirkinessâ such as when Asta tells Dacey of Îsome lunatic in a land cruiser tried to run her off the road and nearly killed herâ. She knew it had been Dacey driving, yet made it seem like she didnât.
The ugliness and ordinariness of the characters is also distinctive of Australian Cinema according to OâRegan. While Claudia Karvan may often be noticed for her stunning looks and ability to shine on screen, her role as a scruffy bikie strips away some of the glamour ö however I do not believe many other Australian actors could pull off the Îbiker chickâ with such style and beauty. (Deborah Lee Furness didnât pull it off in Shame 1987) The characters are just average looking people. This could also be described as being part of the Î"mundane cinema" as there is nothing Îextraordinaryâ about the characters, the storyline or the locations.
There has been a trend since the 1980âs to produce films that must contain elements and film codes that are commonly found in American films, to be able to compete with Hollywood dominance. The most common element is that the Îgood wins out in the endâ. In Natural Justice: Heat, good does win out in the end, with the downfall of manipulative businessman Clive Harivold. While there is a minor love plot between Dacey and Jennifer, there is no love blossoming between other characters. If it were to be a Hollywood film, A love story would most likely to have arisen between either Asta Cadell and Dacey Ferguson, or Asta Cadell and Paul Tancred.
Australia as a middle sized English cinema
Australian cinema is described as a middle sized English cinema. This relates to the minority status of Australian films in relation to the world market, and the significantly smaller amount of feature films made per year. I believe that Natural Justice: Heat has had more than just middle sized cinema to deal with, as it was not ever released at the box office cinema, nor was it released on video (that I could establish). It was simply a feature film that was broadcast on television only. To my recollection, this film has been broadcast on free to air television (channel 7) just twice since it was made.
I was surprised at the lack of information about this film online. While it was mentioned in all of the main actors credit list, there were no links or information about this film. I e-mailed as many people involved with the film production and financing as possible, one replied they could not release the production costs information, and the others did not reply. Given my inability to find information relating to the production costs, I cannot be certain of the exact amount of funds needed for production, nor the amount of revenue it earned. However, given that the film was filmed locally, with local extras, I assume that the film did not have a budget of blockbuster proportions. The film was entirely Australian funded, which also indicates a smaller budget for production. Due to this, it reflects the trend for Australian films to be part of a Middle Sized, English Cinema. The filmâs major language is Australian English, with all the slang and pronunciations. Natural Justice: Heat was first broadcast on Australian screens on Channel 7, without cinema or video release.
Past/present circumstances of the cast/crew
Because this film was produced here in WA, many of the extras on the set were from here also. Lynette Narkle and Ashlee Penny are related to people I was at high school with, and Kyle Morrison was a former Armadale Senior High school student (who was in the same year with my cousin). This is a minor film for the well-known actors Claudia Karvan, Steve Bastoni and Sonia Todd. Claudia Karvan is possibly best known for her role as Dr Alex Christensen in The Secret Life of Us (TV series (2000-present), but has been acting in movies since she was quite young, with her big break coming in 1990 with The Big Steal.
Steve Bastoni is renowned for his work in the ABC drama Police Rescue, alongside Sonia Todd. His newest film to be released is The Matrix Reloaded (2003). Sonia Todd has since moved to be a part of the TV drama series McLeodâs Daughters.
Director Scott Hartford Davis is possibly best noted for his direction of TV series such as Always Greener (2001/2002) and Water Rats (1996). Screenplay writers Beverley Blankenship and Michael Brindley received recognition, winning an award in the FCCA for the predecessor Shame in 1987 with similar story lines and characters.
Comments, praises, reviews on IMDB
"Arnie Mellor"
Launceston Tasmania, Australia
Date: 1 March 1999
Summary: A good movie
Only watched this movie by chance, but found it surprisingly good. The story and acting were very realistic, especially the acting of Claudia Karvan in the lead role. I had never heard of this lady but she should secure a good career in movies on the strength of this performance. It helped also that the film location was in York, Western Australia, a district I am familiar with. Gave the movie 8/10." (IMDB 1999)
"Rebecca"
Bunbury, Western Australia
Date: 10 September 2001
Summary: Mediocre.
This movie was set in a small outback town called York. I've visited York and it's a beautiful town... the scenery is amazing and the placement (45 minutes from Perth), is ideal. The movie however was disappointing. The storyline was good, but it wasnât anything we havenât seen before (racial issues... where aboriginal man is dragged through the mud, accused of murder). Sonia Todd was a treat, but when is she not? The lead actress, I found, tried to overdo her scenes by looking really intense when showing emotion... it had the opposite effect. Her scenes came across empty and void of feeling.
I gave this movie a 3/10, not only was there poor acting, but the movie dragged on and I found it incredibly boring.
"Grant"
Canberra ACT, Australia
Date: 7 July 2002
Summary: Another Great Aussie Flick
Came across this movie by accident. Once I started watching it, I found it difficult to stop. My family has a long history with York and some of my fondest memories as a child are included in the area. I loved the memories as I saw the various scenes of the buildings and main street. Sonia Todd and Steve Bastoni also have a long history of working together and both are fine Australian actors.
On the Internet Movie Database 8 people have voted for this film and have given it an weighted rating of 6.7 out of 10. I personally would give it a 9.
A final review courtesy of screensound Australia.
'An idealistic solicitor heads to the bush after a disillusioning encounter with the legal system. In a small country town, she witnesses an incident between police and two Aborigines and becomes embroiled in a fight for justice.' Source: Cinema papers, April 1996, p.63. (Screensound.gov.au 2003)
BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES
IMBD (2003) URL: http://www.imdb.com 03/04/03
Australian Broadcasting Authority (2003)
URL: http://www.aba.gov.au/tv/content/ozcont/review_2001/pdfs/ApF_Titles1996.pdf 04/04/03
Screensound Australia (2003) URL:http://www.screensound.gov.au/cgi-bin/waxhtml.exe?WAXScriptName=olc/record_display.wxh&sTitleNo=292164&sCollType=2&sMedium=M&sDBCode=PR&iinTitleID=302742&sinTextInput=natural+justice+heat&iinTextType=6&sHasRestrictions=N
OâRegan, Tom (1996) Australian National Cinema Routledge London. pp196
Filmography
The Big Steal · dir Nadia Tass 1990
The Matrix Reloaded dir. Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachoowsk 2003
The Sum of Us 1994, dirs Geoff Burton & Kevin Dowling
Television references
Always Greener · 2001 ö present TV series
McLeodâs Daughters TV series 2001 ö present
Police Rescue TV series 1990 ö 1996
The Secret Life of Us TV series 2000 ö present
Water Rats · 1996 - 2001 TV series