Black and White (2002 film)

Plot

Based on real events, it tells the story of Max Stuart (Ngoombujarra), a young aboriginal man who was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of a nine-year-old girl on what was considered questionable evidence. It follows the fight by his lawyers David O'Sullivan (Carlyle) and Helen Devaney (Fox) to save Stuart from execution, as well as Crown Prosecutor, Roderic Chamberlain's (Dance) efforts to convict Stuart. Rohan Rivett editor of an Adelaide paper, The News, and its publisher, Rupert Murdoch (Ben Mendelsohn) also feature as leading the public response in the campaign to save Stuart.

In the final scene of the film, Max Stuart appeared as himself as an older man, driving along a dirt highway near Alice Springs where he lived at the time, and saying: "Yeah, some people think I'm guilty and some people think I'm not. Some people think Elvis is still alive, but most of us think he's dead and gone."

Awards

In 2003, the film won the Australian Film Institute award for Best Actor in Supporting Role.

Festivals

Sydney Film Festival 2002 (opening film) Toronto IFF 2002 London IFF 2002 Hawaii IFF 2002 Gala Pusan Korea IFF 2002 London Australian Film Festival 2003 Dublin FF 2003 Taipei FF 2003 Valenciennes FF France 2003 Competition Belfast FF 2003 Taos FF USA 2003 Singapore IFF 2003 Karlovy Vary IFF 2003 SXSW FF USA 2004 Beijing Australian Film Festival 2004 Guangzhou FF 2004 Cancun FF 2004 Australian Embassy Roadshow – multiple countries

Critical Responses

"Like many of the landmark Australian films of the past thirty years, films such as Sunday Too Far Away, Breaker Morant … Black And White is firmly rooted in fact. There are fascinating twists and turns in Black And White and purely as entertainment the film offers an engaging human drama and a rich display of acting talent — the cast is huge. But Black And White seeks to make its mark as an important statement about our history as well. The Australian legal system was profoundly tested, and changed, by the Max Stuart case and for anyone concerned about the kind of society we’re building, it’s essential information." □ Peter Thompson’s Film Reviews, ninemsn, November 3, 2002

"It’s one helluva great yarn for starters, and the sort of film Australia should be making. It slices open the social (black) heart of this society merely 50 years ago, to reveal it as not only racist and sexist but class-driven to boot. Stories of great injustice done to individuals by society are powerful cinema, and this story combines court room drama with a Big Issue. Bit like Erin Brockovich in a way, complete with small town underdog for a lawyer. (It’s about the only time lawyers can look good on screen.) Craig Lahiff and his production team do a sterling job in capturing the sense of the era, and the mood is poignantly carried on Cezary Szkubiszewski’s wonderful score. Lahiff squeezes top performances from all his leads, with Carlyle and Dance perfectly cast as opposites in every way." □ Andrew Urban, Urban Cinefile 2002

“A powerful emotive film for all Australians, Black and White doesn’t make a judgement as to Stuart’s innocence or guilt, it cleverly leaves that to you, the viewer. It bundles up all the emotions from that by-gone era and creates a feast for the mind and a visual delight. “Black and White” forces you to think, to ponder on the facts, to take sides and believe me you will. “Black and White” is another notch in the belt for the Australian film industry." □ Insight, October 2002

It had a wide theatrical release in the UK, and earned the praise of numerous critics and press.

“A gripping, well-crafted tale, lovingly made from the terrific period detail up, and its urgent plea for tolerance is as pertinent as ever.” □ Neil Smith, Total Film, UK

"Powerful and intriguing drama" □ Sunday Mirror, 11 January 2004

"Black and White is a superior drama – tense, unpredictable, full of intriguing characters and well acted. The story deserves to be told because it is about so much more than the crime itself” □ Sunday Express, 18 January 2004

“What elevates Black and White above any of its genre is the way in which it establishes the absolute integrity of the two players… It is required viewing for all those who hold justice dear and fear for its fragile hold upon the law. … (It is) a challenging film that dares to trust our intelligence” □ John Cooper, The Times, December 9, 2003.

“Based on true events, this deeply involving film is not only a terrific story but it’s also very timely in the issues it examines. .. Lahiff’s film is beautifully assembled to tell the story clearly and fairly. It grabs hold of us from the very beginning.. This is a great story nicely told." □ Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall November 20, 2003

“this superb production continues the Australian tradition of fine movie-making… director Craig Lahiff’s beautifully shot drama is a thoroughly absorbing treat” □ Daily Mirror, January 9, 2004

“this watchable fictionalisation … (has) an engrossing story to tell, and it’s interestingly ambiguous where another sort of film might have been content with PC certainty... a dark horse of a film” □ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, January 9, 2004