Australian director Jennifer Kent made her name with The Babadook, a horror film that proved her ability to blend effective genre cinema with deeper themes. In 2018 she released her next feature film and managed the feat again. The Nightingale is a western and a revenge story, but at the same time it deals with heavy topics like sexism, racism and colonialism. Today the film is showing on free TV for the first time.
Tasmania, early 19th century: Irish woman Clare (Aisling Franciosi) lives with her husband and child in the British penal colony. Lieutenant Hawkins (Sam Claflin) ruthlessly exploits and regularly rapes the young woman known as “the Nightingale” for her sweet voice. When her husband tries to fight back, Hawkins and his men murder him and their baby. Only Clare survives – and wants revenge for what was done to her. She follows Hawkins’ squad through the Tasmanian wilderness en route to the next town. In doing so, she meets the natives of the country, who are also being oppressed by the colonial rulers. Tracker Billy (Baykali Ganambarr) helps Clare in her pursuit. Upon arrival in the city, the all-important battle ensues…
