The Fringe Dwellers

The Fringe Dwellers is a 1961 novel written by the Western Australian author Nene Gare.^[1] It was made into a 1986 film directed by Bruce Beresford.

The film

A young Aboriginal girl dreams of life beyond the family camp that sits on the fringe of white society. The Fringe Dwellers is acclaimed as being the first Australian film featuring Indigenous actors in all the major roles. The Fringe Dwellers received critical and international success when it was released in 1986, but gained only a lukewarm reception in Australia.^[3]

Cast

• Justine Saunders as Mollie Comeaway
• Kristina Nehm as Trilby Comeaway
• Kylie Belling as Noonah Comeaway
• Bob Maza as Joe Comeaway
• Denis Walker as Bartie Comeaway
• Ernie Dingo as Phil
• Marlene Bell as Hannah
• Malcolm Silva as Charlie
• Michele Miles as Blanchie
• Michelle Torres as Audrena
• Lisa-Jane Stockwell as Matron
• Gordon Beitzel as the Publican

Production

Beresford had been interested in making a film from the novel since he read it in the mid 1970s, buying his copy at a second hand London book shop. Funding was difficult to raise but eventually was done through the Australian Film Commission and Queensland Film Corporation.^[4]

Awards

The film was nominated for seven AFI Awards and won for the Best Adapted Screenplay (Bruce Beresford, Rhoisin Beresford). It was also entered into the 1986 Cannes Film Festival.^[5] Some Aboriginal activists walked out of the screening at Cannes.^[4]

Box Office

The Fringe Dwellers grossed $174,433 at the box office in Australia.^[6]

See also

• Cinema of Australia

References

Further reading

• Murray, Scott, ed. (1994). Australian Cinema. St.Leonards, NSW.: Allen & Unwin/AFC. p. 252. ISBN 1-86373-311-6. 

External links

• The Fringe Dwellers at the Internet Movie Database
• The Fringe Dwellers at the Australian screen
• The Fringe Dwellers at Oz Movies