UNDER STREETLIGHTS

Australia, 2024, 90 minutes, Colour.

Madison Hull, Jacob Harvey, Leighton Mason, Luke Scholes, Lachlin Blue, Lynette Ellis, Ian Martin, Declan Castle.

Directed by Danielle Loy.

The first streetlights of the title are in Alice Springs. In fact, this is very much an Alice Springs film.

We see many aspects of the city, the different neighbourhoods, the home of the white policeman, the home of an aboriginal family, shops and bars, schools, the city streets. And we see the surrounding country, especially at the end, a journey from Alice Springs towards Melbourne.

In most ways, this is a gentle and hopeful film. It should be noted that this is the first film for the six main characters, and they are quite convincing. First there is Ella, played by Madison Hull, a teenager grieving the death of her beloved mother in a car accident. Her father, Jack, Luke , Scholes doesn’t cope, drinking. By chance, Ella comes across Izac, Jacob Harvey, young aboriginal man, lover of rap, composing songs, using his computer for background music. They become friends.

And we see Izak at home, his younger brother Tobias, his father, Clifford, glimpses of’ Clifford’s background as an international dancer, touring France, at the Eiffel Tower, now an alcoholic. And, at home, there is the idle Uncle Ronnie, Ian Martin, who sits and makes sarcastic comments. And there is Aunty Samara, Lynette Ellis, very sympathetic, always advising Uncle Ronnie to shut up.

Which means that this is a pleasing film about friendship, love of music, composing songs, sharing, and genuine bonding. But, this is Alice Springs, and the realities of racism and, especially, alcoholism, have to be faced. Jack, in fact, is a police officer who had raided Clifford’s house in the past, treating the family harshly. And, it is a shock to Jack to find his daughter at Clifford’s house. Tensions rise, Izak and Tobias, leaving home, their father and uncle taking their money. And, Ella more and more alienated from her father.

The story becomes something of a message film at the end, the younger generation running away, hopes to make success of their music in Melbourne despite so many previous frustrations, the two fathers in pursuit to rescue their children. A message of reconciliation – and, exuberant hope as the two youngsters with their band perform successfully at a club.

A short and modest film, some familiar material, but engagingly presented.

1. The title, and the song and its background, Alice Springs, the wider world?
2. An Alice Springs story, a symbolic Australian story, the indigenous community and their situation, the white community, interactions, prejudice, suspicions and injustices?
3. A contemporary music story, the young musicians, composers, writing, rap, computers, studios and recordings, promotion and projections, concerts and success?
4. Ella and her story, the opening, the death of her mother, the accident, her bonding with her mother, the music, her father and his sadness, policeman, drinking? Ella managing, at school, her friends?
5. Ella and her accidentally hearing Izak, the music, the rap, with his friend Chase, outside the club? The conversation, Ella and her curiosity, tracking Izak down, visiting the house, the discussions about music, her response, her own music, sharing, meeting his family? Her explanation of her origins, Irish, Central America and indigenous? The Irish and indigenous in common?
6. Izak, the house, in Alice Springs, his father, drinking, the flashbacks to the past, his skill in dancing, in front of the Eiffel Tower, his drunken dances at home? Uncle Ronnie, idle, comments, wanting the money? Aunty, the wise member of the family, kindly, her comments, telling Ronnie to shut up so often? Life in the house? Izak and his younger brother, Tobias?
7. Ella and her father, his continued drinking, the risk to his job? Memories of his wife? Ella and her room, her music?
8. Her father, finding her at Izak’s house, the past history, the animosity, the hostility? The consequences for Izak and for Ella?
9. The separation, the phones, the contact, Izak’s work at the bar, friendship with Chase, the music, using his computer, his band, saving the money, yet the family stealing it, the support of the manager of the studio, the recording, the joy? Sending out the links, the responses from the companies? Disappointment?
10. The buildup of tensions, Ella with her father, the clashes, long drinking bouts, the police concerned? Her decision to leave home, to go with Izak to Melbourne, to sing?
11. The final confrontation at home, Izak strong about his father, the family and the money, the drinking, leaving home with Tobias, supported by Chase?
12. Ella and her mother’s car, her father’s refusal, leaving, with Izak and Tobias, her driving, journey towards Melbourne, the countryside, the water, venturing through, the breakdown?
13. The two fathers, the meeting, the discussions, driving together, finding the young people, the reconciliation?
14. A month later, the concert in Melbourne, the fulfilment of his extremes, the singing, the crowd, the applause – and a future?