Review: KIDS - BLUEBACK
by Karen Pecota

Australia | 2022

Australian Filmmaker Robert Connolly sets to the big screen his latest family-friendly film BLUEBACK, based on the 1997 novella, under the same title, from one of Australia's most beloved authors, Tim Winton. Connolly recalls, "I read Blueback when it was first published in 1997 and I loved it immediately." Continuing, "It's an incredible fable: heartbreaking, funny and emotional."

Connolly and Winton, both environmental activists, collaborate with a magnificent story that brings to life the impact one can have in order to protect the world's oceans and its inhabitants. "At its heart, BLUEBACK is a film with a big environmental message", says Connolly. "We know the world is facing an environmental crisis, but Tim Winton and I spoke a lot about the idea of optimism." Adding, "Pessimism only makes people shut up and do nothing, there needs to be ways to inspire activism by letting people know that if we do change our ways, things will change." Connolly shares, "I've been massively inspired by something Jacques Cousteau based his life on: the idea that if you can make people fall in love with something, they will want to save it."

The hero of their film, BLUEBACK, is a Western Blue Groper (Achoerodus gouldii). The filmmakers tell us that in real life, it is the largest carnivorous bony fish species found living on reefs, reaching a length of up to 1.7 meters (5.58 feet) and a weight of up to 40 kilograms (88.187 pounds). Counts of rings in their ear bones have shown that the species can live for up to 70 years. The Western Blue Groper's fascination with humans is probably due to its long life span and its proximity to human activity along the coast. They tend to be inquisitive when they encounter divers and this behavior makes them vulnerable to spear fishing.

In order to capture the extraordinary beauty and character of a real Western Blue Groper, four teams of incredibly skilled professionals came together to mechanically create one of the most stunning and endearing of the Ocean's creatures. They were underwater camera operators; state-of-the-art mechanized puppetry created by Creature Technology Company; visual effects by Soundfirm; and Surreal World artists. The magical precision is to be praised for their creativity, diligence and patience to bring forth Connolly and Winton's life-like hero in BLUEBACK. Impressive is an understatement.

Synopsis:

Marine biologist, Abby (Mia Wasikowska) is on a research vessel in the middle of a study that is looking for answers to Australia's dying coral reef coastline. She receives word that her mother, Dora (Radha Mitchell/Liz Alexander) has had a stroke and is requested to come to her aid immediately.

Abby returns to the coastal town where she grew up in order to care for her mom (Liz Alexander) as Dora has lost her ability to speak, as well as some physical abilities. Abby's life now has come to a snail’s pace but it allows for her childhood memories to surface, of the wonderful life she was taught by Dora's (Radha Mitchell) passion for the environment.

Dora taught Abby all about the Ocean. Abby not only received knowledge but gleaned from Dora's passion involving her love for its creatures. Case in point, on Abby's first deep dive as a young girl, she encounters a wild blue Groper she names, Blueback and a friendship develops.

In an effort to awaken Dora's mental and physical faculties, Abby begins to remind Dora of the life they shared when Abby was a child and living at home by reiterating stories from their past. Meeting Blueback was one of these experiences. It was a bonding time for mother and daughter; but, more so was their bittersweet journey fighting against those who sought to destroy Blueback's coral reef habitat and commercially develop their pristine bay for financial gain. Young Abby and Dora worked tirelessly together to protect their coastline against environmental destruction, including poachers and commercial fishing which often put their own lives in danger.

BLUEBACK is a tale of passion, resilience and love to protect a community of people, their hallowed coastal land and its wildlife.