Land of Returns
A pragmatic Irish prostitute hunts down her rapist in the Australian wilderness…
1893. The Australian Goldfields. A pragmatic Irish prostitute hunts down her rapist in the wilderness. And yet – when given the opportunity to exact her revenge – she discovers she must choose to free herself from violence or else be consumed by it.
Released: December 2010
Running time: 09:21
Format: Short Period Western, HD 16:9
Featuring: Emma Williamson, Olaf Savage
Writer/Director: Chas Fisher
Producer: Lee Matthews
Cinematographer: Shyam Ediriweera
Production Designer: Marney McKenna
Composer: Tristan Courtney
Sound Designer: Leon East
Editor: Chas Fisher
LAND OF RETURNS is a Western revenge story about the journey from trauma to redemption.
1893. The Australian Goldfields. A pragmatic Irish prostitute named Ruth has hopes for her future… but is brutally raped and almost killed. Once recovered, her mental scars and disfigured body serve as a daily reminder and focus all her energy into one thing: revenge.
In her quest for vengeance, Ruth tracks her assailant through the hardened and unforgiving Australian bush – forced to learn how to live off the land. When she finally catches him, she realises that revenge is not enough: he must acknowledge the damage he has done.
Finally, her opportunity comes. As her rapist begs for her forgiveness, Ruth realises that her journey has left her empowered, independent and free. Exacting her revenge means to continue defining her life by what a man has done to her and not living it for herself.
Ruth’s journey explores the conflict between the masculine and feminine, between nature and civilization and what it can take to recover from brutal violence. Ruth achieves redemption by relinquishing the violence that moulded her.
Cast
Ruth – Emma Williamson
Morgan – Olaf Savage
Crew
Writer / Director – Chas Fisher
Producer – Lee Matthews
Director of Photography – Shyam Ediriweera
1st Assistant Camera – Katherine Schachte
2nd Assistant Camera – Marcus Allemann
Gaffer – Thom Holt
Key Grip – Shaun Crawford
Production Designer – Marney McKenna
Standby Props – Michael Raoss
Costume Designer – Isabella Stadler
Make-up & SFX Artist – Lee Norris
Sound Designer & Mixer – Leon East
Boom Operator – Jason Albury
Production Manager – Lee Matthews
1st Assistant Director – Neil Triffett
Script Supervisor – Ilya Kerig
Unit Manager – Ana Fisher
Armourer / Safety Officer – Mike Warwick
Editor – Chas Fisher
Composer – Tristan Courtney
VCA Staff
Supervising Producer – David Price
Script Consultant – Sandra Sciberras
Technical Support – Gordon Lyon
Sound Designer – Peter Frost
Consultant Editor – Cindy Clarkson
Online Editor & Colourist – Declan Loughran
Special Thanks
Alex Sapurmas Pin & Frances from Tixana
Steve & Licenia Flew Scott & Amanda Gramlick from Star Glen Lodge
Chris Leaman from Tavistock House
Craig Jones & The Stirling Experience
Gillian Dobson from Mt Stirling Resort Management
Dean & Gillian Belle from The Regional Produce Store
Tracey Claire
Dominica Vavala
Stu Willis
Sally Gawley
Steve Goldsworthy
Michelle Venutti
Benjamyn Wolfgramm
Lisa Kappell
Ryan van Dijk
Adelle Drover
Tom Savige
Ana Fisher
Tony Wood