Thornton's 'Wolfram': A Haunting Follow-Up

Four years after the events of Warwick Thornton's "Sweet Country," the 2017 neo-western, a new film titled "Wolfram" has been released. Set in 1932, this work, while bearing Thornton's directorial style, is described as a less cohesive and more diffuse narrative than its predecessor, despite its impressive atmosphere.

The story picks up with Aboriginal siblings Max and Kid forced to work in wolfram mines. Their overseer's death propels them into a flight across a harsh landscape, joined by Philomac, the son of a character from the previous film. They are pursued by station owner Mick Kennedy and outlaws.

A parallel storyline follows Pansy, an Arrernte mother, and her partner, a Chinese miner, as they attempt to start anew. The film's narrative structure oscillates between these plotlines, leading to a sense of uncertainty regarding its central focus.

Despite narrative diffusion, the performances are noted as strong, particularly from Thomas M. Wright and Pedrea Jackson. However, the film is criticized for criminally underusing Deborah Mailman, whose character's storyline, though compelling, does not land with the intended emotional impact due to limited screen time.