Sweet As (Jub Clerc, 2002) wr. Jub Clerc, Steve Rodgers; Shantae Barnes-Cowan, Tasma Walton, Carlos Sanson Jr, Mark Coles Smith, Ngaire Pigram, Pedrea Jackson, Mikayla Levy, Andrew Wallace; filmed Port Hedland; festival screenings Aug-Nov22; coming-of-age; 87 min.; wide release 13Apr23
Despite what Travis Johnson writes below about it being 'unsentimental', I found this to be implausible in the rapid turnaround in everyone's lives caused by the events of only a few days – especially in Murra's mother, who wasn't even involved in the magical mystery tour that brings about it all about. ... But I guess it's much better to hear/watch a good news story about Aboriginal people than to witness the degredation suffered in a horrible film like Samson and Delilah. The scenery is nice too.
Travis Johnson:
The debut feature from Nyulnyul and Yawuru director Jub Clerc, Sweet As is a warm but unsentimental coming of age tale that follows an Indigenous teen from a troubled background, Murra (Shantae Barnes-Cowan), as she discovers a new sense of self on an outback photography trip for at-risk youths. Set and shot in Western Australian’s stunning Pilbara region, this is the first feature to be written and directed by an Indigenous Western Australian woman, and co-stars Tasma Walton, Mark Coles Smith, Ngaire Pigram, Pedrea Jackson, Carlos Sanson Jr, and first timers Mikayla Levy and Andrew Wallace. Having won effusive praise on the festival circuit, this is sure to do well on wide release. flicks.com.au, 3 January 2023.
as above
Garry Gillard | New: 23 July, 2021 | Now: 19 December, 2023