At age 27, Cate Blanchett starred in Parklands is a 1996 Australian drama film written and directed by Kathryn Millard.
The 51-minute-long movie includes Chamber of Commerce-style promotional material about Adelaide that was made in the 1950s and ’60s.
Plot summary
Rosie returns home to attend the funeral of her father Cliff, who left her mother years earlier.
His mistress Jean invites Rosie to stay with her for a while, allowing her time to learn about what her father was doing throughout the years they were separated.
His investigation into his past leads to diaries he kept, and entries he made suggest that despite his career as a policeman he was a corrupt man involved in the drug trade.
Rosie puzzles about who he was, and about her early life and relationship to him.
Although Cat generally says that she is not an emotionally intense person, the roles she plays are not far from that.
In the case of Parklands, it is filled with profound reflections on Rosie’s character and her relationship with her deceased father, and her search for his presence within herself.
Awards and nominations
The Australian Cinematographers Society honored Mandy Walker with their Award of Distinction for Fictional Drama Shorts, and Kathryn Millard won the Certificate of Merit for Film & Video – Short Narrative III (31–60 minutes) at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
Principal cast
Cate Blanchett – Rosie
Tony Martin – Cliff
Carmel Johnson – Jean
Tony Mack – Dave Morrison
Patrick Duggin – Andrew
Bridget Walters – Mrs. Roberts
Jo Peoples – Elizabeth
Principal production credits
Producer – Helen Bowden
Original Music – Richard Vella
Cinematography – Mandy Walker
Production Design – Prisque Salvi