Concrete Playground

Beginning as a physical trek to the isolated Australian outback, Beautiful Kate is the first feature length film to be directed by Rachel Ward. Ned (Ben Mendelsohn) is a forty-something author who returns home after a long absence with his young trophy girlfriend, Toni (Maeve Dermody). He is there to farewell Bruce, his dying and estranged father (Bryan Brown), at the request of Sally, his long-suffering sister (Rachel Griffiths).

An emotional journey begins as Ned’s memories of his last summer at home with his late brother Cliff and the precious but dearly departed Kate (a scene-stealing Sophie Lowe) are evoked by the scenery. The centrepiece in the flashbacks is a clandestine and taboo love affair, and a devastating accident taking place in a family marred by scandal and tragedy.

An adaptation of American author Newton Thornburg’s novel, Beautiful Kate is ultimately a tale of forgiveness and redemption, and a dysfunctional family story that explores teenage sexuality with great dignity.