Somersault (DVD)

Love can turn you upside down. The remarkable debut feature by writer-director Cate Shortland (TV's 'The Secret Life Of Us'), 'Somersault' is the record-breaking film that took the top honours in an unprecedented 13 categories at the 2004 Australian Film Institute Awards, including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Original Music Score. 'Somersault' stars Abbie Cornish (One Perfect Day
TV's 'Wildside') as Heidi, a pretty sixteen-year-old girl living with her young single mother, Nicole (Olivia Pigeot). In a moment of indiscretion, Heidi has a brief sexual encounter with her mother's lover, Adam (Damian de Montemas), an event witnessed by Nicole. The incident sparks a row between mother and daughter that results in Heidi leaving home and heading for the snowy ski resort of Lake Jindabyne with the intention of hooking up with a former boyfriend. However, things don't work out as planned and Heidi, with little money and no job, is left to fend for herself, spending her days exploring the natural beauty of the countryside. She is offered a place to stay by a sympathetic motel owner, Irene (Lynette Curran), and eventually finds work at a local petrol station, where she befriends her co-worker, Bianca (Hollie Andrew). Heidi's world is suddenly transformed when she meets Joe (Sam Worthington), the son of a wealthy farmer. The pair are drawn together in a complex relationship that promises to provide Heidi with some much needed affection while at the same time leading Joe to question his ideas of sexuality, class and his future. But when Joe unexpectedly rejects Heidi without any explanation, her life begins to unravel. Hurt and confused, she resorts to seeking out intimacy in Jindabyne's seedy tourist nightspots. An intelligent and moving film about the complexities of relationships, intimacy, friendship and forgiveness, 'Somersault' features a courageous and revelatory performance by Abbie Cornish in the lead role of Heidi. Beautifully shot on location in and around the breathtaking landscapes of the New South Wales resort of Jindabayne, the film also features a memorable and haunting, award-winning score by cult Australian band Decoder Ring.