Healing (2014 film)

Last updated

Healing
Healing 2014.jpg
Theatrical film poster
Directed byCraig Monahan
Written byCraig Monahan
Alison Nisselle
Produced byTait Brady
Craig Monahan
Starring Don Hany
Hugo Weaving
Robert Taylor
Xavier Samuel
Justine Clarke
Laura Brent
Anthony Hayes
Cinematography Andrew Lesnie
Perla Sancassani
Edited bySuresh Ayyar
Music by David Hirschfelder
Production
companies
Pointblank Pictures
Screen Australia
Distributed byPinnacle Films
Release date
  • 8 May 2014 (2014-05-08)
Running time
119 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Box office$428, 524 USD (Australia) [1]

Healing is a 2014 English-language Australian drama film produced by PointBlank Pictures and directed by Craig Monahan [2] and co-written with Alison Nisselle. [3] The film stars Don Hany, Hugo Weaving, Robert Taylor, Xavier Samuel, Justine Clarke, Laura Brent and Anthony Hayes. [4]

Contents

It was released theatrically in Australia on 8 May 2014. [5] It was subsequently screened at several film festivals around the world, including the Seattle International Film Festival on 25 May and the Cannes Film Festival in May 2015. [6] [7]

Plot

Viktor Kahdem (Don Hany), is an Iranian-Australian criminal, and is being is transferred to the Won Wron Correctional Centre, a low-security prison farm situated in rural Victoria, to serve the final stretch of his prison sentence. Once there, he quickly attracts the attention of Matt Perry (Hugo Weaving), a correctional officer at the prison. One day not long after his arrival, Khadem and Perry are on a work detail together when they discover an injured wedge-tail eagle trapped in a wire fence. Perry notices Kahdem's almost immediate affection and care of the bird. Soon, Perry has set up a small aviary inside which the inmate can rehabilitate the bird, noting that as he aids the recovery of the bird he can also heal himself. Kahdem is the first prisoner to undergo this new program. Whilst training the wedge-tail eagle, which Perry has named Yasmine, inmate and officer develop a strong fraternal relationship and Kahdem opens up about his past to his new friend.

After hearing about his past and finding out that he has living family despite never having had a visit, Perry becomes motivated to assist Kahdem in his rehabilitation and intervenes to invite his son to the prison for a visit. Convinced against his initial refusal of the offer, Yousef (Dimitri Baveas) eventually takes up the invitation to attend the prison and pay a visit his incarcerated father.  Unexpectedly, the visit turns sour after sensitive issues are touched upon. Kahdem is angered and keeps his fist clenched in frustration, whilst Yousef stands to shout at him. Eventually Yousef leaves in rage, hurting Kahdem and his morale.

Perry invites a local wildlife expert named Glynis (Jane Menelaus) to assist in Yasmine's training, and she warns Viktor that he must prepare Yasmine for her eventual release back into the wild. The bird, she reminds him, is only in the aviary for wildlife rehabilitation. Whilst this is all occurring, other inmates such as Paul (Xavier Samuel) begin rehabilitating other injured birds as part of the program pioneered by Perry. Paul's injured bird is a majestic white owl with whom he shows a great devotion.

The friendship developed between Kahdem and Perry, as well as the work Kahdem does with Yasmine, allows him to truly find inner happiness through the meaning brought to his life. The film ends with Yasmine's full rehabilitation and release into the wild and Kahdem's subsequent release from prison.

OwlImage.png

Cast

Production

Filming

Filming began on 18 February 2013 [8] and took place in different parts of the Australian state of Victoria over a few months. The setting was produced in three locations; Healesville, Kyneton, and Melbourne. [9] All film locations are Victorian in an attempt to replicate the landscapes of the true story (on which Healing is based), which also took place in a regional Victorian prison.

Healing is only the second film to be produced by PointBlank Pictures.

Release

The film was released on 8 May 2014 [10] in Australia, on 24 July in New Zealand, and on 25 May in the US at a Seattle International Film Festival. [6]

In 2015, it was selected to screen in two sections of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, in both the Cinema des Antipodes selection of Cannes Cinéphiles (Official Selection) and Cannes Cinéphiles, Prix Cannes Ecrans Seniors (In Competition). [7]

Box office

It opened at #12 in Australia, grossing $116,928 in its first week at the box office. [11] It went on to gross a total of $428,524 (USD) in Australia. [1]

Reception

The film received mostly positive critical feedback. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 75% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10. [12]

Positive reviews included acknowledgements of the overall theme of the narrative and its plot. Sandra Hall of The Sydney Morning Herald wrote "The parallels between injured bird and flawed man work brilliantly in Healing." [13] Matthew Thoomey from the ABC similarly adds,"It has something to say about the importance of therapy (whatever the form) and the power of forgiveness. There's much to reflect upon." [14]

Evan Williams gave the film 4 out of 5 stars in his review for The Australian . Williams described it as "a film rich in ideas and vivid characters. Watching it is an exhilarating experience." [15] Margaret Pomeranz reviewed the film for At the Movies for ABC. Pomeranz gave the film 4 out of 5 stars: "This is possibly the most sentimental prison movie I've ever seen. And I was so grateful. It's really lovely. The performances are fabulous." [16] [17]

Megan Lehmann of The Hollywood Reporter was also enthusiastic about the film: "Weaving is terrific as Matt Perry...But the film belongs to Don Hany, a veteran of Australian television starring in his first major film." Lehmann described the film as an "emotionally satisfying story of redemption." [6] The film critic, Eddie Cockrell, wrote a positive review about the film for Variety , describing it as an "intelligent and satisfying drama". Cockrell continued: "It’s refreshing to see a film that takes its own sweet time building characters and the subtle conflicts simmering among them. Led by the familiar and bankable Weaving, the cast, under Monahan’s sure guidance, deftly underplays what could have been, in other hands, an awkward melodrama." [18]

Luke Buckmaster, film critic for The Guardian Australia , gave the film 3 out of 5 stars. Buckmaster compared the film to The Usual Suspects and commended the "clutch of strong performances" among the cast. He also highlighted Weaving's performance: "Weaving delivers a note-perfect performance as the prison guard whose big heart leads him closer to the duties of a social worker. Weaving, surely one of Australian cinema’s best assets, lifts scripts to dramatic heights other actors are incapable of reaching, which can both bolster supporting performances and make them look pale by comparison." Buckmaster concluded "At its most simplistic, Healing feels like a glossy postcard drama, its pointy bits smoothed over by an unashamed sense of spirit and optimism. It is also a tender, thoughtful and inspiring film from an under-appreciated director." [19]

Accolades

Healing received nine nominations and three wins (all of which were by Craig Monohan) following its release in 2014. The following list outlines [20]

Healing was also awarded the 2014 Gadens Queensland Literary Award for Feature Film Script before the film's release.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo Weaving</span> British actor (born 1960)

Hugo Wallace Weaving is a British actor. He is the recipient of six Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA) and has been recognised as an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia. Born in Colonial Nigeria to English parents, he has resided in Australia for the entirety of his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folsom State Prison</span> Prison in Folsom, California, United States

Folsom California State Prison is a California State Prison in Folsom, California, U.S., approximately 20 miles (32 km) northeast of the state capital of Sacramento. It is one of 34 adult institutions operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HM Prison Morwell River</span> Prison in Victoria, Australia 1961–1997

A nursery and workers camp was established by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) in 1949 at Olsens Bridge at the head of the Morwell River, which is just east of Boolarra in Victoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prison education</span> Educational activities inside prisons

Prison education is any educational activity that occurs inside prison. Courses can include basic literacy programmes, secondary school equivalency programmes, vocational education, and tertiary education. Other activities such as rehabilitation programs, physical education, and arts and crafts programmes may also be considered a form of prison education. Programmes are typically provided, managed, and funded by the prison system, though inmates may be required to pay for distance education programmes. The history of and current practices in prison education vary greatly among countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CoreCivic</span> U.S. prison-operating company

CoreCivic, formerly the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), is a company that owns and manages private prisons and detention centers and operates others on a concession basis. Co-founded in 1983 in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas W. Beasley, Robert Crants, and T. Don Hutto, it received investments from the Tennessee Valley Authority, Vanderbilt University, and Jack C. Massey, the founder of Hospital Corporation of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hany Abu-Assad</span> Palestinian–Dutch film director (born 1961)

Hany Abu-Assad is a Palestinian-Dutch film director. He has received two Academy Award nominations: in 2006 for his film Paradise Now, and again in 2013 for his film Omar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California Institution for Men</span> State prison in Chino, California

California Institution for Men (CIM) is a male-only state prison located in the city of Chino, San Bernardino County, California. It is often colloquially referenced as "Chino". In turn, locals call the prison "Chino Men's" or just "Men's" to avoid confusion with the city itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valley State Prison</span> State prison in Chowchilla, California, US

Valley State Prison (VSP), previously the Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW), is an American state prison in Chowchilla, California. It is across the road from Central California Women's Facility. It was formerly a prison for women.

<i>Big Stan</i> 2007 American film

Big Stan is a 2007 American martial arts prison comedy film starring, produced, and directed by Rob Schneider in his directorial debut with help from his company From Out of Nowhere Productions. The rest of the cast includes Jennifer Morrison, Scott Wilson, Henry Gibson, Richard Kind, Sally Kirkland, Jackson Rathbone, M. Emmet Walsh, Dan Haggerty, and David Carradine. It tells the story of a real estate con artist who gets sentenced to three years in prison and spends the six months beforehand getting trained by a martial arts guru to survive in prison. This film was Gibson's final role before his death in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavier Samuel</span> Australian actor (born 1983)

Xavier Samuel is an Australian film and theatre actor. He has appeared in leading roles in the feature films Adore, September, Further We Search, Newcastle, The Loved Ones, Frankenstein, A Few Best Men, and played Riley Biers in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, and Billy in Spin Out. He also starred as Cass Chaplin in Blonde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Hany</span> Australian actor

Don Hany is an Australian film, television and stage actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California Correctional Institution</span> Supermax prison located near Tehachapi, California

California Correctional Institution (CCI) is a supermax state prison in the city of Tehachapi in southern California. CCI is sometimes referred to as "Tehachapi prison" or "Tehachapi". As stated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, its overall mission is "to incarcerate and control felons, while providing the opportunity for meaningful work, training and other programs. The prison provides programs for those inmates who are willing to work and participate fully in available programs."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California State Prison, Los Angeles County</span> State prison in Lancaster, California

California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC) is a male-only state prison located in the city of Lancaster, in Los Angeles County, California. The only state prison located in the county, it is also referenced as Los Angeles County State Prison, CSP-Los Angeles County, and CSP-LAC. Only occasionally is the prison referred to as Lancaster State Prison, which was particularly avoided in 1992 partly to ease the stigma for Lancaster.

The Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution (AOCI), also known as the Allen Correctional Institution, is a prison located in Lima, Ohio, a facility of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Prison overcrowding in the United States is a social phenomenon occurring when the demand for space in a U.S. prison exceeds the capacity for prisoners. The issues associated with prison overcrowding are not new, and have been brewing for many years. During the United States' War on Drugs, the states were left responsible for solving the prison overcrowding issue with a limited amount of money. Moreover, federal prison populations may increase if states adhere to federal policies, such as mandatory minimum sentences. On the other hand, the Justice Department provides billions of dollars a year for state and local law enforcement to ensure they follow the policies set forth by the federal government concerning U.S. prisons. Prison overcrowding has affected some states more than others, but overall, the risks of overcrowding are substantial and there are solutions to this problem.

<i>Omar</i> (2013 film) 2013 film

Omar is a 2013 Palestinian drama film directed by Hany Abu-Assad. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Prize. It was shown at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards. It won Best Feature Film at the 2013 Asia Pacific Screen Awards. The film was screened at the United Nations in New York on 1 May 2014.

<i>Apprentice</i> (film) 2016 film

Apprentice is a 2016 Singaporean drama film directed by Boo Junfeng. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. It was selected as the Singaporean entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards but it was not nominated.

<i>A Prayer Before Dawn</i> (film) 2017 film

A Prayer Before Dawn is a 2017 biographical prison drama film directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire and written by Jonathan Hirschbein and Nick Saltrese. The film stars Joe Cole and is based on the book A Prayer Before Dawn: My Nightmare in Thailand's Prisons by Billy Moore.

<i>The Rooster</i> (film) 2023 Australian film

The Rooster is a 2023 Australian comedy drama film directed by Mark Leonard Winter and starring Hugo Weaving, Phoenix Raei, and John Waters.

References

  1. 1 2 Australia Box Office for Healing (2014) The Numbers. Retrieved on 6 October 2024
  2. "Craig Monahan". IMDb. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  3. "Alison Nisselle". IMDb. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  4. Healing (2014) - IMDb , retrieved 18 May 2021
  5. Why ‘Healing’ should be an Australian blockbuster The New Daily. 11 May 2014
  6. 1 2 3 Healing: Film Review The Hollywood Reporter. 7 May 2014
  7. 1 2 Healing in competition at Cannes Cinephiles if.com.au. 23 April 2015
  8. "Healing set to shoot Feb 18 in Vic with Hugo Weaving, Don Hany". if.com.au. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  9. Healing (2014) - IMDb , retrieved 18 May 2021
  10. "Healing 2014 Coming Soon to Cinemas". fliks.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  11. "Urban Cinefile - Box Office". Urban Cinefile. 15 May 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  12. "Healing (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  13. Hall, Sandra (3 May 2014). "Healing review: Deft handling gives prison story wings". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  14. "The Film Pie - The Film Pie". www.thefilmpie.com. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  15. Birdmen Of Won Wron Soar In Healing The Australian. 7 May 2014
  16. At the Movies ABC. 1 May 2014
  17. Healing reviews Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 6 October 2024
  18. Film Review: ‘Healing’ Variety. 10 February 2014
  19. Healing review – this homegrown jail bird drama has wings The Guardian Australia. 8 May 2014
  20. Healing - IMDb , retrieved 18 May 2021