THE DROVER’S WIFE: THE LEGEND OF MOLLY JOHNSON (2021)
Directed by Leah Purcell
“I was brought up by storytellers, within a culture where the tradition of storytelling is passed down and histories are heard from the Black experience, not from white- washed history books.” – Leah Purcell
Inspired by her own lived experiences and ancestral history, Leah Purcell writes, directs and stars in her debut postcolonial reworking of Henry Lawson’s beloved classic from Australia’s pioneering past.
Purcell’s clear-eyed, reimagined, solid piece of storytelling is seen through an Indigenous feminist lens: Left to mind the homestead while her sheep drover husband is away in the high country, heavily pregnant Molly Johnson, struggling with her children to survive the harsh Australian landscape, forms an unlikely bond with an escaped Indigenous convict. Meanwhile, new town lawman Nate Clintoff realises that Molly’s husband is missing and sends his constable to investigate.
A thrilling tale that explores racism and misogyny under colonial rule.
Access: The film has descriptive subtitles and audio description formats
We’re also excited to present a series of events and special screenings across the UK for the film – events include in live (by zoom) Q&As with lead actor, writer and director Leah Purcell plus recorded content exclusive to cinemas, with an introduction from Purcell too. Find out more over on our events page by clicking this link.
