Last week Chattr was invited to the Australian feature film premiere of The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson.

The film is based on a short story by Australian bush poet and writer, Henry Lawson, and the 2016 play of the same name by Leah Purcell.

Purcell pulled quadruple duty for the film adaptation, writing, directing, starring and producing the modern Australian cinema classic. The film made its film festival debut in 2021’s, SXSW, in Austin, Texas.

The story follows Molly Johnson, a drover’s Wife who lives with her four children with a fifth on the way. The story is set in the 1890’s, with a bulk of the film taking place on Johnson’s property, which is an isolated hut.

Her husband is, of course, a drover who is away for work for months at a time. The central story revolves around her struggles as a drover’s wife and the hardships that come with being a mother whose husband is absent for long periods of time.

The film incorporates beautiful cinematography, which perfectly encapsulates the beauty of the Australian outback but also highlights the unforgiving nature of the land.

Purcell uses these amazing wide shots to give the audience an understanding of how far Molly and her family really are from civilisation. The distance of course is not just physical, but also psychological.

The performances are second to none, Rob Collins’ portrayal of an aboriginal convict known as, Yadaka, who is on the run from the law for allegedly committing a series of murders, is an Oscar worthy performance.

Purcell encapsulates the struggle of an indigenous woman through her gut-wrenching performance. The reality of Molly’s life is difficult to comprehend, however, Purcell makes you believe with her performance that everything that is happening to Molly is taking place before your eyes with her harrowing performance.

Malachi Dower-Roberts who portrays Danny, the eldest son, has a quiet charisma about him in every scene he is in. He undoubtedly steals the spotlight from his fellow actors whenever Molly, Yadaka and Danny are in a scene together. A bright future is destined for Roberts after this career making performance.

The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, will be screened for the general public on May 5 at select cinemas. For more information on sessions, visit the official website for the film HERE.