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The Turning

Name: The Turning
Director: Marieka Walsh, Warwick Thornton, Jub Clerc, Robert Connolly, Anthony Lucas, Rhys Graham, Ashlee Page, Tony Ayres, Claire McCarthy, Stephen Page, Shaun Gladwell, Mia Wasikowska, Simon Stone, David Wenham, Jonathan auf der Heide, Justin Kurzel, Ian Meadows
Released: 2013
Duration: 180 min

Representation Score

8.5/10

Excellent

2013

Director

Marieka Walsh, Warwick Thornton, Jub Clerc, Robert Connolly, Anthony Lucas, Rhys Graham, Ashlee Page, Tony Ayres, Claire McCarthy, Stephen Page, Shaun Gladwell, Mia Wasikowska, Simon Stone, David Wenham, Jonathan auf der Heide, Justin Kurzel, Ian Meadows

Runtime

180 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The anthology structure of *The Turning* allows for a fragmented, multi-perspective view of a coastal community. By using seventeen different directors, the film resists a monolithic narrative and instead explores a wide range of human experiences through various subjective lenses. The film's greatest strength lies in its commitment to post-colonial perspectives. By integrating Indigenous storytelling into the core of the film, it provides a necessary counter-narrative to Western-centric dramas, ensuring diverse voices have significant influence. While the film effectively subverts gendered and moral hierarchies, it lacks depth in specific identity-driven arcs. Representation for LGBTQ+ and disability communities remains moderate or neutral, as these themes are not central pillars of the collection.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Turning have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not center LGBTQ+ stories or identity-specific political arcs. While it avoids negative stereotypes, the representation remains moderate without giving these characters much control over their actions.

How does The Turning portray gender?

Good

The film challenges traditional gender roles by focusing on female protagonists. It highlights the psychological instability of both men and women, disrupting expected gender dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Turning?

Excellent

The film stands out by incorporating Indigenous Australian perspectives through directors like Warwick Thornton. This approach gives significant influence to characters of color and challenges the dominance of Anglo-Saxon viewpoints.

How does The Turning represent religion and culture?

Good

The anthology embraces moral relativism and subjective truths. It critiques traditional Western institutions by depicting characters struggling against systemic pressures and rigid societal structures.

Does The Turning include disability representation?

Fair

The film avoids using physical disability solely as a plot device, focusing instead on psychological trauma. However, it lacks specific narratives addressing neurodivergence or chronic illness.

Present on Screen

The inclusion of Indigenous Australian directors provides essential post-colonial perspectives.
The anthology format disrupts monolithic narratives through diverse directorial voices.
The film successfully deconstructs traditional domestic and gendered hierarchies.

Limited or Absent

LGBTQ+ representation lacks the explicit ability to act needed for a higher score.
There is a lack of specialized, high-influence narratives regarding disability or neurodivergence.
The film focuses more on individual turning points than specific identity-based political arcs.

Official Synopsis

Seventeen talented Australian directors from diverse artistic disciplines each create a chapter of the hauntingly beautiful novel by multi award-winning author Tim Winton. The linking and overlapping stories explore the extraordinary turning points in ordinary people’s lives in a stunning portrait of a small coastal community. As characters face second thoughts and regret, relationships irretrievably alter, resolves are made or broken, and lives change direction forever.

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