Frozen Hearts: Coming of Age in 'Somersault'

Showered with awards but arousing controversy on its release, Cate Shortland's debut feature remains a singular depiction of adolescent female sexuality, making use of a distinctive, if atypical, Australian landscape. Separating the film from contemporaneous characterisations of it as epitomising perceived failings of the local movie industry, Jarrod Sturnieks argues that it remains a singular and highly effective – if still difficult-to-categorise – cinematic achievement.

Additional keywords:
women's filmmaking, female directors, Canberra, Snowy Mountains, Jindabyne, Abbie Cornish, Sam Worthington, coming of age, Lolita archetype, male gaze, Lisa French, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Decoder Ring, AFI Awards, Miranda Devine