Hearts and Bones

Hugo Weaving plays a war photojournalist grappling with his profession, personal life and a refugee affected by one of his photographs in the fiction debut of Australian filmmaker Ben Lawrence.

After decades spent cataloguing the world’s worst horrors, Daniel Fisher is haunted by what he’s seen – and yet he can’t stop picking up his camera. Impending fatherhood doesn’t alter his attitude, much to his partner’s dismay. But when Dan meets Sebastian Aman, a South Sudanese refugee with links to one of his harrowing images of a village massacre, their unlikely friendship has unexpected and rewarding consequences.

Fresh from serving up an intense rollercoaster ride in documentary Ghosthunter (MIFF 2018), Lawrence once again peers into the hearts and minds of troubled men, with compelling assistance not just from seasoned veteran Weaving, but from former garbage truck driver turned first-time actor Andrew Luri. This is a complex and compassionate drama that combines intricate character studies with a clear-eyed look at Australia’s place in today’s changing global climate.