Central Australian Film Samson and Delilah screens at the Cannes Film Festival

Aboriginal Art Directory | 07.05.09

Samson and Delilah, written and directed by Warwick Thornton and shot in central Australia screens at the Cannes Film Festival next week.

As quoted from the director:

'Samson & Delilah is a love story, but perhaps not in the traditional sense. It is a story that deals with life on a remote Aboriginal community and the ways in which one young couple manage to escape from this mundane existence.'

'The central theme that I wanted to explore is love, but not in the conventional sense, not a usual sort of love – a love that develops out of survival. Necessary love.'

He goes on to say:

'I believe that the story of these two young lovers, Samson and Delilah, is an important and unique story to tell – it’s an untold story. In the end, even though life is going to be hard, I want the audience to feel like there are real possibilities of success for them. A new life. Hope.'

The two young actors Marissa Gibson (Delilah) and Rowan McNamara (Samson) hail from Alice Springs and the Aboriginal community of Santa Teresa. The film also features great Warlpiri artist Mitjili Napanangka Gibson as Nana.

The film opens nationally today.

Check out the website: www.samsonanddelilah.com.au