West of Sunshine

2017

1h 18m

Crime

Drama

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West of Sunshine: Trailer 1

1:40

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81%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

50%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A father has less than one day left to come good on a debt to a dangerous loan shark, while at the same time taking care of his young son.

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

In the modest but sneakily affecting Australian father-son drama "West of Sunshine," your sympathies for a problematic dad come and go in waves, sometimes within the span of a few seconds.

Jan 24, 2019

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Karl Quinn

The Age (Australia)

As epitaphs go, it's close to perfect.

Jan 5, 2019

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David Stratton

The Australian

Though Thom Neal's photography is at times needlessly jittery, the film offers a convincing visualisation of an urban jungle where its misguided protagonist is constantly making the wrong decisions.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 24, 2018

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

West of Sunshine has the feel of a short stretched to 90 minutes, and stuffed with endless over-scored melodramatic moments, but credit should be given to going against the grain of Australian masculine film history.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

Adam Keller

Film Threat

All of the performances are at least solid, and for an indie, the production value is impressive. It won't reduce you to a weeping mess, but at 78 minutes it's a trim, satisfying drama that does justice to its inspirations.

Rated: 7/10

Feb 7, 2019

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Mark Dujsik

Mark Reviews Movies

[T]he drama isn't in the debt or the potential violence. It's in wondering if it's too late for a guy like Jim.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 25, 2019

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Ravenswood R

The plot is a little thin, since we don't have a clear idea of why the main character is in the trouble he's in, other than very brief, extremely sketchy hints at his past. But, we are left unsure, and not in a good way, more like curious and unfulfilled. He goes from place to place meeting people from his past, but who is he to them? The acting is very good, and many of the on location scenes of Melbourne are great. It needed just a little more story or connection with the audience to give if four stars. Very sad real life story of the lead actor Damian Hill who actually took his own life not long after the film was made.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

Full Review

Peter W

Overall, there are many elements to enjoy about this Australian film. It's a short, quick film that keeps on point without any significant problems. Sure, the plot isn't anything new or different, but with pleasing performances, particularly from Damian Hill, thankfully, there is a freshness in both style and the way the story is told.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

peter w

Overall, there are many elements to enjoy about this Australian film. It's a short, quick film that keeps on point without any significant problems. Sure, the plot isn't anything new or different, but with a pleasing performances in particular from Damian Hill, thankfully there is a freshness in both style and the way the story is told - Walkden Entertainment

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

West of Sunshine is an Australian film so if you struggle with the accent you will want to use subtitles. Besides the accents, however, the film could have taken place anywhere as the story of a father and son with a strained relationship is universal. If you’re a fan of small-town festival type dramas you will enjoy West of Sunshine. It’s a movie with many touching moments that will find a way to suck you in if you like subtle, realistic dramas.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/30/19

Full Review

Audience Member

The West of Sunshine Geelong screening at The Pivotonian Cinema last night still has us talking and discussing the different scenes that invoked a range of emotions depending on your own frame of reference. It is NOT a film that you forget when you walk out the cinema. It's one of 'those' that makes you reflect on your own life with all it's twists and turns. The Director Jason Raftopoulos Q&A at the end allowed us to delve into the intended themes and add even more thought provoking colour. The direction, cinematography, the characters and oh the divine music makes me want to see it again. Congratulations to the whole team ???????????? I am excited to see what this Director does next ??

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After seeing West of Sunshine, my new theory about the problem with Australian movies is that they suffer with that other Aussie snag: "the tall poppy syndrome". All characters speak the same, as though it's one person talking (though saying different stuff). Apart form that, little happens in this movie to make me care. Thankfully it's short!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Jason Raftopoulos

Director

Damian Hill

Jim

Ty Perham

Alex

Arthur Angel

Steve

Kat Stewart

Mel

Tony Nikolakopoulos

Banos

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West of Sunshine: Trailer 1

1:40

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Synopsis

A father has less than one day left to come good on a debt to a dangerous loan shark, while at the same time taking care of his young son.

Director: Jason Raftopoulos
Screenwriter: Jason Raftopoulos
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English (Australia)
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 29, 2019
Runtime: 1h 18m

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