Insight "Beneath Clouds" is a film not afraid to pull punches. It's a warts and all production! It's thought provoking! Its challenging! And yes, it pushes the envelope of black versus white, and remarkably, in a most refreshing manner, black versus black. It's a stark look at life through the eyes of two young aboriginal people. Both are characters that polarize the audience. Damian Pitt is the brash young man Vaughn. Burdened by society and wearing the "big chip" on his shoulder. He is a confrontational and angry figure. But then, in many ways who could blame him? His road partner is Lena. Danielle Hall takes us into a world within the mind of a young girl who sees that their is hope in escaping from the aboriginal community and seeking her white father. She doesn't want to end up just a root for the local boys, pregnant or stuck in a lifestyle that offers no hope for the future. "Beneath Clouds" is sterile, sharp, cutting, daring and violent. But it is also revealing, very sympathetic, touching, sad and yet tinged with hope. Both Danielle and Damian through their characters evoke all these on to the screen remarkably well. In many ways this film reminds me of the work of Mohsen, Marzieh and Samira Makhmalbaf, the remarkable Iran film family who have a knack of using the starkest of images, the barest of characters and plot, while still producing films that make you think. That is what Director and Writer Ivan Sen has achieved with "Beneath Clouds". A stark film that allows us into the psyche, the soul of it's characters and thereby allowing us to live "their" hopes, anger, despair, desperation, the striving for self worth. This is what makes "Beneath Clouds" another excellent Australian production. "Beneath Clouds" is the winner of the "Premiere First Movie Award" and the "Piper Heidsieck New Talent Award" for Best Young Actress at the 2002 Berlin Film Festival. The Story Vaugn [Damian Pitt] is on the run from the law. He's been working on a prison farm but news that his mother is gravely ill has led to his breaking out. Lena [Danielle Hall] is is the product of an aboriginal mother and an Irish father. Lena is fair skinned, living with her mother and brother in an isolated country town and facing a bleak future. She too is escaping. Escaping from the inevitable. Lena knows that to stay is hopeless. She longs for her father and is on the road in a effort to find him. These two young people will be thrown together. They will be forced to put aside their differences and they will be brought closer together by what will confront them as they both search for meaning, purpose, self worth and love. The Verdict "Yolngu Boy", "Rabbit Proof Fence" and now the striking "Beneath Clouds". All are wonderous showcases for our first nation citizens and their remarkable talents. Refreshing and colorful, "Beneath Clouds" is a journey down a road of discovery with two fabulous young australian actors Danielle Hall and Damien Pitt. Put any prejudices aside because this is well ... really worth seeing. A great "little" film with a big aussie heart! The Cast

Danielle Hall Damian Pitt Jenna Lee Connors Mundurra Weldon Athol French Ben Paparo Lila Fisher Kevin Pitt Judy Duncan Doug Crchton Simon Swan Daniel Roberts Evelyn Rankmore Peter Jarrad Terry Hackett

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Lena Vaughn Ty Liam Kevy Male Copper Female Copper Lena's Stepdad Lena's Mum Ron Jimmy Pete Tessa Tessa's Boyfriend Gate Guard

Directed by Ivan Sen Run Time 88 minutes RATED M [AUST] ©2002 - Autumn Films - All Rights Reserved ©2002 - The Movie Pages - All Rights Reserved