The fictitious town of Limbo is set in Coober Pedy, South Australia (often called “Opal Capital of the World”).
It is a fantastic location for this visually exciting black and white film. The striking aerial photography, of eerie windswept land pitted with caves, mounds of dirt and almost lunar-like marks creates the atmosphere for a film that some critics have described as “outback noir”.
Travis Hurley (an almost unrecognisable Simon Baker with close-cropped hair and tattoos) is a taciturn, heroin- addicted detective sent to investigate an unsolved case of an Aboriginal woman called Charlotte Hayes who disappeared 20 years ago.
He moves into the Limbo Motel, which seems to have no staff, or other customers, thinking the investigation will take a few days. But when his car is broken into and parts take time to arrive, he hires an old rusty Dodge.
He has a skeptical reception from Charlotte’s associates and fractured family who know the case would have received far more attention from authorities had the missing girl been white. The previous investigation had focused on indigenous men as suspects and Travis discovers they were badly treated by police when trying to get information.
Charlotte’s brother Charlie (Rob Collins) lives in a caravan on the outskirts of town and their sister Emma (Natasha Wanganeen), who works at a restaurant, has taken over the care of his children and her own daughter.
Writer/director/producer Ivan Sen (Mystery Road,Goldstone) is credited with the cinematography, editing, music, casting and visual effects of this atmospheric film about loss and racial injustice. It premiered this year at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.
108 minutes.
Showing at Luna Leederville from Thursday May 18th.
Watch the trailer…
