Talented Australian writer-director Peter Duncan’s latest effort, Unfinished Sky, is an impressive film. Based on a successful Dutch film, The Polish Bride, Duncan cleverly adapts it to appeal to an Australian audience.
John Woldring lives an isolated, lonely existence on his farm; ever since his wife died 6 years ago, under mysterious circumstances.
Early one morning his isolation is interrupted by the appearance of a battered Afghani woman wearing nothing but a yellow rain coat. Fearing for her life, John takes in the badly beaten woman, who doesn’t speak a word of English. It is a decision that sets off a dramatic chain of events.
I thoroughly engaged with Unfinished Sky from beginning to end. Duncan’s direction is clear and tight, and his screenplay, which is essentially a love story, is cleverly underpinned by tension and moral dilemma.
By making Tahmeena an illegal immigrant, Duncan is able to draw parallels between her physical existence and John’s psychological state; parallels that understandably lead to empathy.
William McInnes gets under the skin of the angry, suffering John Woldring to deliver a performance of depth and vulnerability. He is so, so good.
Which is just as well, because he’s pitted against Monic Hendrickx who is considered one of Holland’s greatest talents and it is easy to see why. Her Dari accent and presence was faultless. I completely believed she was Afghani.
David Field and Bille Brown also add great weight to the cast.
Apart from a slight chunkiness towards the climax, Unfinished Sky is an entertaining, enjoyable watch. It offers a delicate insight into love and trust; suggesting it is possible to transcend cultural barriers.
Shot beautifully, with brilliant performances, this film is a pleasure to watch 3.5 stars.
