The Furnace
Ahmed Malek (Gunshot) and David Wenham (Lion) star in this on-the-run drama set in 1890s Western Australia and highlighting the forgotten history of the country's ‘Ghan' cameleers.
To escape a harsh existence and return home, a young Afghan cameleer (Malek) partners with a mysterious bushman (Wenham) on the run with two 400oz Crown-marked gold bars. Together the unlikely pair must outwit a zealous police sergeant and his troopers in a race to reach a secret furnace - the one place where they can safely reset the bars to remove the mark of the Crown.
2020Rating: MA15+, Strong themes and violence116 minsAustralia
WesternHistorical
- Director:
- Roderick MacKay (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Roderick MacKay
- Cast:
- David WenhamAhmed Malek
The Furnace / Reviews
IndieWire
There's enough depth to the central conflict worthy of the cinematic traditions that inspired it.
Full reviewScreen Daily
Weaves this unusual viewpoint into a standard Western narrative to compelling effect.
Full review
The Guardian
Captures an intriguing stillness derived heavily from the land, which is vast and unforgiving, of course; it wouldn't be an Australian western if it wasn't.
Full review
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