Ana Kokkinos's first feature, ONLY THE BRAVE, released in its native Australia in 1994 and in the US in 1995, is a flawed but powerfully realistic look at two Australian teenagers. This coming-of-age film about two high school girls is indifferently scripted and fails to realize the
promise of a fresh perspective on a familiar theme.
Alex (Elena Mandalis) and Vicki (Dora Kaskanis) live in suburbs of Melbourne that are as wild and dangerous as the city itself. Outside of their troubled homes, they wander aimlessly, set fires, smoke pot, get drunk, and look for sex.
Despite Alex's lack of academic motivation, one female teacher, Miss Groves (Maude Davey), makes an extra effort with her. Alex develops a crush on Miss Groves, but is uncomfortable about her feelings. Forced to contend with Miss Grove's attachment to her boyfriend, Alex feels betrayed. Meanwhile,
Alex's preoccupation with her teacher causes a rift between her and Vicki, who is showing disturbing signs of emotional instability. Alex discovers that Vicki is being sexually molested by her father. When she tries to bring this news to Miss Groves, the teacher is dismissive.
Alex resolves to rescue Vicki and plans to take her friend to Sydney, where Alex's mother lives. She searches for Vicki and finds her atop a cooling tower. She has soaked herself with lighter fluid. Despite Alex's attempts to save her friend, Vicki succeeds in burning herself to death.
A worthy attempt to come to grips with the terrors of adolescence, particularly as they apply to young lesbians, ONLY THE BRAVE is bleak throughout, and offers little in the way of hope or solutions. The acting is creditable, but the dark, static photography tends to further deaden a film that is
distressingly grim to begin with. Australia has the highest teen suicide rate in the world, and Kokkinos's film, despite a weak script and certain technical limitations, offers plausible reasons why. (Substance abuse, profanity.) leave a comment