Joyhouse99

Film Review: Blacklash by Jon Cohen I had the opportunity to attend the theatrical release of *Blacklash*, directed by Jon Cohen, and it was an experience that has left a lasting impression on me. From the very beginning, the film captures attention with its intriguing premise, which unfolds with a perfect balance of suspense and emotional depth. The narrative is thought-provoking, making it a memorable film. One of the best features of *Blacklash* is its setting. The location chosen for the film adds a layer of authenticity and atmosphere that heightens the overall tension and drama. The performances delivered by the cast are equally impressive. Each actor brings a genuine and nuanced portrayal of their character, adding complexity and realism to the film. Their chemistry on screen helps to ground the story, making the emotional beats resonate even more with the audience. The lead actors, in particular, manage to convey a wide range of emotions, from fear and anger to vulnerability and hope, which keeps viewers fully invested in their journey. What truly sets *Blacklash* apart, and makes it my personal favorite among Jon Cohen's works, is its powerful underlying theme: the exploration of bullying and its far-reaching consequences. Rather than approaching this subject in a simplistic or preachy manner, the film delves deep into the psychological and emotional impact on both victims and the perpetrator. It sparks important conversations about accountability, empathy, and the social structures that enable such behavior to persist. This thoughtful approach adds a significant layer of depth to the thriller-drama style genre, making the film not just entertaining but also meaningful. It is refreshing to see an independent film tackle such a heavy topic while maintaining its suspenseful and engaging narrative. *Blacklash* demonstrates that indie cinema can possess both heart and substance, delivering a message without sacrificing the quality of storytelling or entertainment value. Jon Cohen has truly crafted a work that is impactful. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend *Blacklash* to anyone looking for a film that offers more than just surface-level thrills. With its compelling story, good performances, atmospheric locations, and significant themes, it stands out as a shining example of what indie films can achieve. This is a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll as it is clever script writing. This is Jon Cohen's best work due to its essence, heart and cleverness.

Congratulations to the director, cast & crew. This film was well directed, well cast & looks high budget due to the cinematography & set design.

Great sensitivity.

Congratulations on Melbourne International Film Festival.

More success is sure to come.

Over three years, the same people attend a music festival Westival, staged in rural outback Western Australia and during this time relationships change and evolve. 

The main storyline concentrates on the love story between Keevy (Rebecca Breeds), a down to earth pub band fiddler, and theremin player Roland (Robert Sheehan), together they meet at the festival. Roland encourages Keevy to apply to a music conservatorium which causes great drama, especially with Keevy's father played by John Waters. There are great supporting characters in the film, such as Michael Caton, who plays a racist and Magda Szubanski who is the community radio announcer and Deborah Mailman who plays a therapist who runs the festival's Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. As a secondary storyline, the film concentrates on some aspects of contemporary Australian society such as the plight of refugees left in unlimited detention and the problems some Aboriginals experience in their communities. 

The film was beautifully shot, capturing the beautiful Aussie outback in rural Western Australia. It also ticked all the boxes which is a good step forward in terms of diversity, portraying Multicultural Australia in film. My only question is, "Did the filmmaker concentrate on ticking all the boxes more so than creating a more organic storyline?"  

Ben Elton says, "The idea for Three Summers came about during one of my family trips to the Fairbridge Folk Festival in WA. I was sitting in the bar tent doing some people watching, there's such a rich tapestry of humanity at these sorts of family music events and so much comedy. People from different walks of life suddenly living in a field together with only sheets of canvas and polyester between them. Everybody's equal in the queue for the portaloos!"

Three Summers' Aussie soundtrack includes tracks by Little Birdy, Dan Sultan, the John Butler Trio, Xavier Rudd, Gotye, Sarah Blasko , Dr. G. Yunupingu and many more.

The Run time 102 minutes

6.5/10