The Nightingale

Guests Expected

Lead actor Aisling Franciosi is expected to attend the April 20 screening.

Description

Harrowing, ambitious, and visually spectacular, Jennifer Kent’s (The Babadook, 2014) second feature, set in the wilds of 19th-century Tasmania, follows the epic journey of revenge undertaken by Irish former convict Clare (a riveting Aisling Franciosi) after a savagely cruel British lieutenant and his loutish underlings commit horrific acts against her and her family. Graphically violent, The Nightingale never shies away from the racist and colonialist attitudes towards the Aboriginal people, but delves deep into the mutual respect that grows between Clare and her Aboriginal guide Billy (Baykali Ganambarr).

“Jennifer Kent’s follow-up to The Babadook (2014) tells its tale of violence and inhumanity in a surprisingly hushed cadence. Weaving themes of colonialism and class into the broad strokes of a won’t-stop-can’t-stop revenge potboiler, the film marks a step forward for the Australian director in terms of ambition and scope.” – Ben Croll, The Guardian

Co-Presented by

Director Jennifer Kent

Longtime actor Jennifer Kent made her writing/directing debut in 2005 with the short film Monster, winner of two awards at Aspenfest. Her feature debut, The Babadook (2014), garnered Best Picture and Best Screenplay Awards at Austin Fantastic Fest, an Australian Directors Guild Award for Best Direction in a Feature Film, and Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards for Best Film, Best Direction, and Best Original Screenplay. Her sophomore feature, The Nightingale (2018) received a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.

Film Details