The Furnace

The ingredients are rich: in the 19th century outback, aboriginals, prospectors, Chinese, cameleers (uniformly referred to as Afghans even though they come from many Middle Eastern cultures), graziers, peddlers, Moslems, Hindus, troopers, and station hands negotiate wary relations. A hardbitten prospector has stolen gold in his possession and needs to find a way to legitimise it. He falls in with a cameleer and they trek across the desert to escape the law and other criminals in pursuit.

This is an outback thriller trying to be a deep and meaningful arthouse excursion. The slow pace eventually becomes tedious and a couple of plot glitches irritate. Talented actors work hard and turn in excellent performances, but they are fighting the director.

The story, set in stunning locations, is always intense, moving and suspanceful, from beginning to end, with many highlights. Through its harsh landscapes, rough characters, tough stories, perfectly represented and real, 'The Furnace' moves you, remains in your heart, gets you thinking, instills hope. The film brings to light a piece of Australian history, example of inclusion and humility, and treats important issues that must be a warning to people today. Intelligent and sensitive direction and cast are visibly very involved. I haven't seen a film in a long time that has moved me so much. Grateful to have had the chance to see it at Venice Biennale. A must see.

Drawing you in from the first few scenes, The Furnace has you thinking on many levels. This wonderful movie educates as much as it entertains. Meticulous research grounds The Furnace in the reality of the time, providing a strength and depth to the characters and storyline which, along with the stunning panoramas of the timeless West Australian outback, makes watching it such a pleasure.

This is not a typical western movie, so if you are looking for shootings and horse chases you are in the wrong place. The western story part is just used to show the personal journey of the young Afghan cameeler Hanif and an excuse to show a part of Australian history that risks not to be told. Three highlights that make The Furnace a worth watching movie: 1 - Maleck's acting chops: this is his first gig in the international movie world and he did a wonderful job showing his internal suffering and emotions. All the actors are well casted and invested in the story. 2 - Stunning landscape: this movie needs an award for photography 3 - the representation of "fathers and son" relationship and the father-like figure. Blessed to have seen the premiere in the wonderful location of La Biennale in Venice

While this film grabs you with its excellent performances, stunning landscapes and suspenseful, action-packed storyline, the real beauty of it lies in the way the experiences of so many diverse cultures battling to survive such a harsh environment are so intelligently and empathetically drawn. It was wonderful to watch a movie that worked so well on so many levels and left me thinking about it for days. I even went back and watched it a second time so I could take it all in. I learnt something about a relatively little known part of our history and the messages contained in 'The Furnace' still resonate today.