The Fringe Dwellers (1986)

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

Bruce Beresford (writer)
Rhoisin Beresford (writer)

Release Date:

October 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

You'll remember it for a long, long time . . . [Australia Theatrical]

Plot:

Story of an aboriginal family who tries to move out of the fringe into the main white community. |

Plot Keywords:

1970s | Australia | Australian Aboriginal | Based On Novel | Independent Film

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Justine Saunders	...	Mollie Comeaway
Kristina Nehm	...	Trilby Comeaway
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kylie Belling	...	Noonah Comeaway
Marlene Bell	...	Hannah
Wilf Campagnoni	...	Bert
David Clendenning	...	Headmaster
Wilkie Collins	...	Dr. Lymons
Alan Dargin	...	Bruce
Ernie Dingo	...	Phil
Dianne Eden	...	Matron
Laurie Foel	...	Waitress (as Laurence Foel)
Gabrielle Lanbrose	...	Mrs. Henwood (as Gabrielle Lambrose)
Sandra Lehane	...	Nurse Creswell
Bob Maza	...	Joe Comeaway
Michele Miles	...	Blanchie
Bill Sandy	...	Skippy
Anne Saward	...	May
Malcolm Silva	...	Charlie
Theresa Stafford	...	Schoolgirl
Lisa-Jane Stockwell	...	Nurse McCarthy
Terry Thompson	...	Horrie
Michelle Torres	...	Audrena
Robert Ugle	...	Tim
Denis Walker	...	Bartie Comeaway
Kath Walker	...	Eva
Maureen Watson	...	Rene
Leo Wockner	...	Stockman
Noanie Wood	...	Miss Simmons

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Cherbourg, Queensland, Australia

Company:

Fringe Dwellers Productions

Trivia:

The works of art that the teacher shows Bartie Comeaway are by the Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira (1902-1959). He was a Western Arrernte man from the Western MacDonnell Ranges area in central Australia. He is perhaps the best known Aboriginal painter. His main works were watercolours of the Australian outback desert landscapes.

Soundtrack:

I Write the News

Nice Movie

I thought that this was an all-in-all nice movie about a young Aborigine (pardon my spelling) girl who aspires to be more than what Australian society has already declared she will be. It's not an easy road, though. It's a thought provoking view at racism respect. This story could have easily taken place in the Civil Rights era USA or Apartheid South Africa or anywhere that major racial lines have existed. The acting is rather impressive, and I'm disappointed that I haven't seen the title character in more films.