I had the great fortune to see a Parisian preview of Warwick Thornton's film Samson + Delilah. on Friday morning in the 5th.
Winner of the Camera d'or at the Cannes film festival, Thornton not only wrote the script he directed, produced and photographed it. The Camera D'or is the prize for best first film, so hats off to Mr. Thornton! What an honour.
When I think of words to describe Samson + Delilah, I can only think in Italian. Thornton's story is set in outback Australia, the story of two young Aboriginals living in difficult circumstances in the bush.
Elegante, pesante and bellissima. Elegante for the extraordinary photography, wonderful use of Australian light, composition of scenes, fabulous music and silence. Thornton portrays the desperate situation of Samson (Rowan McNamara) + Delilah (Marissa Gibson) in a way that becomes truly 'pesante'! Pesante in Italian means more than being heavy and sad, it is also used to describe an undertaking, something that is engaging and also a type of devotion. Thornton truly engages us in their story to the point you really understand the desperation and the 'no way out' situation of the two young aboriginals who play the lead - you live their desperation. Thornton's camera silently tells a part of Australia's modern history with enormous clarity and not much dialogue (which only adds weight to the storytelling).
Bellissima because it is more than just beautiful, it needs that 'issima' that it is very, very very in Italian for the sheer pleasure of looking at his film. It certainly isn't a feel good movie but if you are a photographer you will appreciate the extraordinary beauty of it all. Thumbs up to Mr. Thornton and Samson + Delilah. Go and see this film....
