Samson & Delilah

Samson & Delilah

Warwick Thornton’s Samson & Delilah showcases a sensitive and unconventional love story between two teenage Aboriginals, in the desert of Australia’s inner land, embarking on a survival journey full of hardships. Their tacit – but eloquent in meanings – odyssey reflects the fragile nature of youth, which strives to survive in an environment governed by violent marginalization, lack of prospects, and discrimination. Through scarce dialogues, the resourceful use of expressive means and the spot-on guidance of the amateur cast, the director weaves an unrefined and rough love story that is at once humane and tender.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Warwick Thornton
Script: Warwick Thornton
Cinematography: Warwick Thornton
Editing: Roland Gallois
Sound: David Tranter, Liam Egan
Actors: Rowan McNamara, Marissa Gibson, Mitjili Gibson, Scott Thornton
Production: Footprint Films
Producers: Kath Shelper
Costumes: Heather Wallace
Production Design: Daran Fulham
Make Up: Carol Cameron
Format: 35mm
Color: Color
Production Country: Australia
Production Year: 2009
Duration: 101΄
Contact: Elle Driver
Awards/Distinctions: Golden Camera – Cannes IFF 2009, Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Film – Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2009, Audience Award for Best Feature – Adelaide FF 2009, Best Film, Best Direction, Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Cinematography – Australian Film Institute Awards 2009, John Schlesinger Award (Honorable Mention) – Palm Springs IFF 2010, Dublin Film Critics Award for Best Film – Dublin IFF 2010

Warwick Thornton

Warwick Thornton is one of Australia’s most promising contemporary filmmakers, winning numerous local and international awards as a cinematographer, writer, and director. Born in Alice Springs, Warwick is a cinematography graduate from the Australian Film Television and Radio School. His first short film, Payback, was invited to the prestigious Telluride Film Festival, and all four of his shorts won awards at the Berlin Film Festival. His debut feature, Samson and Delilah, is widely recognised as one of Australia’s finest films and was selected for the 2009 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Camera d’or for best first feature.

Filmography

2002 Mimi (short)
2005 Green Bush (short)
2009 Samson & Delilah
2011 Stranded (short)
2013 The Darkside
2017 We Don’t Need a Map (documentary)
2017 Sweet Country
2023 The New Boy