John Woldring (William McInnes) lives on a remote Queensland farm, in a house that is a mausoleum to the past. There’s just him, his dog Elvis and the jigsaw of endless sky that he ponders over at nighttime. His lonely existence is interrupted when a deranged woman stumbles up to his doorstep in a yellow raincoat, covered in mud and blood. Tahmeena (Monic Hendrickx) does not speak English, but as he tends to her wounds, the reclusive farmer realises that the nearest country town must be hiding some rather large secrets.

John’s isolation is driven by grief for his wife who was killed in tragic circumstances and the locals respect his need to be alone. Tahmeena is a more mysterious character, but she has obviously escaped from an extremely traumatic situation. Tahmeena is an Afghan refugee and her language is not subtitled, so we share John’s explorations as he uncovers evidence of kidnapping and sex trading. As the plot thickens, both these damaged characters are forced to trust each other.

- Advertisement -

Director Peter Duncan is actually a lawyer and his previous film (Children of the Revolution) was highly political. This time, politics is never mentioned but is continually present as the drama intensifies. It is this extra depth that makes the film worthwhile, as well as the harsh beauty of the Australian landscape that is beautifully shot and ever-present in this unusual love story.

Directed by Peter Duncan. Rated M.