the jammed

there seems to be something going on with australian films
i don't think i am alone in thinking that generally speaking
a typical australian film has been 1 of 2 things
proudly revelling in the australian way of life
and the larrikin nature of it's new inhabitants
or going in the complete other direction and taking on the world
and making films that are essentially un-australian
i've missed the dramas based in australia with a real feel
but lately my eyes have been opened to such films
noise, the home song stories, romulus my father would be examples
then this one quietly snuck up on me
i had seen very little press or promotion about it
and according to the movie show website
it lacks the financial backing to make that kind of splash
david and margaret both gave it 4 stars so that was enough for me
prudish me at first baulked at the idea of witnessing forced asian prostitution
only because i find it quite depressing to be reminded of this dark side of our society
but the reviews promised a very good story around that
the central character is ashley hudson played by veronica sywak
who is an attractive young lady who has a good heart
that basically finds her life spiralling down a slippery slide
as she finds it impossible to say no to people who ask her for help
this is one of the many truths i liked about this film
you find yourself agreeing with her decisions to assist
so her story is believable but also worrying as her cosy life
seems to unravel so easily just because of her caring personality
2 asian and 1 european girls are the trio of prostitutes she comes into contact with
all victims of people-smuggling and forced to work for nothing
the various scenes in and around the brothel where they work
are also very believable as the director takes a shot at the turning of a blind eye
by established society at that which is under their noses and lining their pockets
a similar point was made by the pimp on forcing his latest girl to work
australians don't care about you he screams when she threatens to call the police
they lock people in detention centres, throw them on razor wire and hold them with no charges
there seems to be a lot of truth in this film
there's also some violence but for me it's the most disturbing kind
when you can actually almost feel the knife go in and the pain of a slow death
and that was one of the brothels owners at the hands of a prostitute
so not even someone you had any empathy with
there's some stunning city shots and mixing of colours and focus
the soundtrack is also particularly effective
all in all a very good film
shame it won't be around for long