Cate Shortland Movies
A cop haunted by an accidental killing begins looking into a murder case that's nearly 40 years old in this crime drama from Australian director Cate Shortland. Richard Treloar (Richard Roxburgh) is a police detective who is thrown into an emotional tailspin after a shooting incident. When Treloar has trouble handling his responsibilities, he's reassigned to the police force's museum, where he's to help curate a photography exhibit. While going though prints for the upcoming show, Treloar notices an attractive blonde woman keeps popping up in pictures from the mid-'60s, ending with a crime-scene photo of her after she was shot to death. Treloar becomes curious about who she was and what became of her, and discovers her murder was never solved, prompting him to begin looking into the case. Meanwhile, Treloar's emotional problems and new obsession with the mysterious blonde lead to serious problems in his relationship with his girlfriend, Helen (Alice McConnell), which only get worse when he becomes infatuated with his psychiatrist (Essie Davis). The Silence was originally produced for Australian television, but its success with both audiences and critics led to a subsequent theatrical release; the film had its North American premiere at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Roxburgh, Essie Davis, (more)
Heidi (Abbie Cornish) is a pretty teenager who leaves home after getting caught making out with her mother's boyfriend. She impulsively travels to Jindabyne, a snowy ski resort town, because she once met a man from there who said she should call him if she was ever in town. When that connection doesn't materialize, Heidi is forced to fend for herself with little money. Her first night in town, she goes to a bar, drinks, meets a boy, and goes home with him. She doesn't even notice Joe (Sam Worthington) watching her. The next morning, Heidi is dismayed to find that the guy she slept with has a girlfriend, and is on his way back to Sydney. Desperate and broke, she goes looking for work. Despite her good looks and charm, she's a bit too aggressive in trying to win friends and influence people. That night, she hooks up with Joe, and senses a connection between them. Instead of taking her home, he takes her to a motel. He seems reluctant to get involved with her, but she is persistent. The next morning, he hurriedly leaves for work. Joe works for his father, a wealthy farmer. Heidi meets the motel owner, Irene (Lynette Curran), who kindly offers to let her stay a couple of days, until she finds a job. Heidi ends up working at the local gas station with Bianca (Hollie Andrew). She begins to settle in, but her relationship with Joe deteriorates, her emotional instability takes hold. Somersault marks the feature debut of writer/director Cate Shortland. The film won 13 of the Australian Film Institute's annual awards in 2004, and was selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art for inclusion in the 2005 edition of New Directors/New Films. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Abbie Cornish, Sam Worthington, (more)
- 2002
The eight-episode Australian seriocomedy Bad Cop, Bad Cop used police corruption as a target for savage satire. The series took place in a fictional Sydney suburb, where plainclothes cops Lilywhere (Michael Caton) and Knutt (Daniel Wylie) held sway over both the local citizenry and their fellow peacekeepers. Ever looking out for themselves, Lilywhite and Knutt were more interested in financial perks and creature comforts than in rounding up criminals. And besides, some of their best friends were on the wrong side of the law. Created by Ian David, Bad Cop, Bad Cop was seen on Australia's ABC network in early 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caton, Daniel Wylie, (more)
