THE MISSING
Australia, 1999, 92 minutes, Colour.
Fabrizio Bentivoglio, David Ngoombujarra, John Moore, Rebecca Frith, Fiorenzio Fiorentini.
Directed by Manuela Alberti.
The Missing will remind viewers of Colleen McCulloch's The Thorn Birds. The brief film focuses on an ambitious monsignor in the Vatican who had previously spent time in Australia. He had had an affair and had had a child. His former lover now contacts him in the Vatican to say that their daughter is lost and asks him to come to help find her.
Fabrizio Bentivoglio, popular in many Italian films of the 1990s (and playing a priest who was accused of paedophilia in Pianese Nunzio - 14) is the monsignor. Rebecca Frith is Susan.
When he arrives in Australia, he goes into the Outback with the guidance of an Aborigine played by David Ngoombujarra (AFI winner for Blackfellas and for Black and White). He is also challenged about the Stolen Generation from Sutherland, playing by Aboriginal actor John Moore.
When the monsignor goes into the Outback, his faith is tested. He comes across Aboriginal lore and the images of Kadaicha, having to test his own beliefs with those of the anthropology and mythology of the Aborigines.
The film did not have wide circulation although its content was intrinsically interesting, especially with the themes of clergy in real life and scandals in the 1990s as well as dramas about these issues.
1. The impact of the film as a drama, its content, religious ingredients, sexuality, Aboriginal themes?
2. The Vatican, the rooms and offices, Vatican City? Familiar to audiences? The contrast with the Outback, the filming around Silverton? The musical score and its tone?
3. The title, its references to the girl? Its references to the monsignor and what was missing in his life?
4. The credibility of the plot, the monsignor in Australia, his relationship with Susan, the child? His leaving Susan, returning to Rome, his ambitions in the church and its administration?
5. The parable of sin, repentance, penance and atonement, absolution?
6. The religious themes: Christianity and its traditions, the comparison with Aboriginal religious traditions and the contrast? The interaction of the two traditions leading to truth, God and healing?
7. Tomasso, the baptism, money, his work, his servant and the bath, the card and prayer, messages? The Vatican bureaucrat and the details of his work? The discussion with the cardinal? The information about his missing daughter, the urge to return to Australia? The cardinal and his insistence that Tomasso go? The testing of his values and his commitment?
8. Susan and her circumstances, the past, the affair, the child? The photo - and the burning of the letters? Angela? The phone calls, the decision that Tomasso should return, Susan and her sense of urgency, especially for her daughter? The mission, Father John?
9. The children, the bodies, the police and their investigation and theories? The truck, the abduction? Torture and death? The crashing of the car, Tomasso and the chase - and the fight to the death?
10. The motif of Kadaicha, during the credits, the appearances of the motif, Willie's story, the ending with the spear?
11. Tomasso, the contrast between the Vatican and Australia, his arrival, the heat, Father O'Brien, the shower, the others at the church?
12. The discussions with Sutherland, his stances, the information about the Stolen Generation? Success, failure? Drink?
13. Willie, his character, helping Tomasso? With Sutherland? Their travelling together, talking and sharing? The mission and the family? California and the information? The crashed car, walking, Willie's guidance, food? The feeling of Kadaicha? Death and the spirit?
14. The travelling, the memories of Australia, of Susan, Tomasso as an ordinary human being? The mission, Father John? California, the necklace? The place, the death and the burial?
15. Father John, the missions, the church?
16. Tomasso, his walk, repentance in the desert? The vision of himself? The rain? Sutherland and the defeat?
17. The policeman, following, the killing, the arrest?
18. Angela and the mystery, the dreams, death and burial?
19. The overtones of southern Italy and Australia, humanity in vocation and priesthood, sexuality and responsibility? The themes popular with Morris West and Colleen McCulloch?
