The Nightingale

The only film directed by a woman in the main competition at the Venice FF, is unique for its interpretation of the Modern Western, which habitually focuses on male characters, from a female point of view. Banished to Australia in the 18th century, a young Irish woman (Aisling Franciosi, Game of Thrones), embarks on a journey of revenge following a personal tragedy. Australian filmmaker Jennifer Kent, who burst to the scene in 2014 with The Babadook, once again demonstrates her ability to create rich, sweeping cinematic worlds. The heated debate surrounding what several viewers at Venice’s press screening condemned as blunt sexism, is testimony to just how relevant this historical Western’s focus on hatred of Blacks and women is today.