Strikebound

Director: Richard Lowenstein
Screenwriters: Richard Lowenstein

Institute History

  • 1985 Sundance Film Festival

Description

One of the least nostalgic and most political films ever to come up from downunder, Strikebound is the grim and gritty story of a coal miner’s strike in 1927. No less remarkable is the fact that it is the first feature film by 23-year-old director Richard Lowenstein. Strikebound recreates the lives of Agnes and Wattie Doig (who also appear as themselves in documentary footage), leaders of the Australian Trade Union and the workers’ struggle. The strike, involving thousand s of immigrant miners who came to this “land of opportunity,” is told with a sense of truth, urgency and spirit that recalls such American classics as Salt of the Earth and Harlan County, USA. Chris Haywood, a leading Australian actor, and Carol Burns, lead a fine cast in their strong and dramatic portrayals of the Doigs. This “sleeper” hit at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival was nominated for nine awards by the Australian Film Institute, including Best Film, Best Actor and Actress and Best Cinematography.

Screening Details

Credits

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