Stories from Life • Brian McFarlane
The Travellers and Kangaroo Reviewed
In recent weeks, two new Australian films have appeared that deserve more attention than they’ve received. The Travellers and Kangaroo are both modest in scale yet rich in emotional depth. Each tells human stories with sensitivity, blending humor and quiet melancholy in ways rare in contemporary Australian cinema.
Both films stand apart from the grand traditions of The Man from Snowy River or the rugged spectacle of Mad Max. They focus instead on subtle, intimate storytelling. Their creators seem more interested in exploring the internal landscapes of their characters than in chasing cinematic showmanship.
Kangaroo: A Gentle Portrait
Kangaroo is directed by Kate Woods, best known for her television work and the 2000 feature Looking for Alibrandi. With this new film, she has created something quietly enchanting—part character study, part reflection on how life’s priorities can shift in unexpected ways. Though based on real events, the film does not follow the usual biographical formula.
“Inspired by a true story,” reads the opening title.
The early scenes introduce viewers to key figures in this semi-biographical story. Before the title appears, we see a young Indigenous girl named Charlie, played by Lily Whiteley, running across the wide, sunlit outback, kangaroos leaping nearby. The imagery is both vivid and symbolic, grounding the film deeply in the Australian landscape.
The Travellers: Warmth and Subtlety
The Travellers features Luke Bracey, Brian Brown, and Susie Porter, whose performances bring warmth and understated complexity to their roles. The film combines humor with quiet reflection, unfolding with emotional honesty that connects deeply with its audience.
Through both Kangaroo and The Travellers, Australian cinema finds a softer, more introspective voice—a reminder that authenticity often speaks louder than spectacle.
Author’s Summary
Two new Australian films, Kangaroo and The Travellers, revive emotional storytelling through subtle performances, intimate direction, and quietly powerful imagery.