0German version here.
It is a colorful group gathered in front of the bus to set off on a journey together. Murra, who can no longer stay with her drug-addicted mother. Sean, who keeps thinking about killing himself. Kiley, who is being abused by her boyfriend. And Elvis, who is not the same after an earlier incident. The two supervisors know what they are getting into, and yet it is not easy for them to get a grip on these four teenagers. The purpose of the trip is a photo safari, where the teenagers learn to express themselves with a camera in their hands.
Sweet As is inspired by director Jub Clerc's own story. Just like protagonist Murra, she discovered her love for photography and film during one such photo safari for at-risk youth. In the outback of Western Australia, she directed her debut film - which is also the first film to be shot in Karijini National Park, with the permission of the rightful inhabitants of this land, the Banjima people.
The respectful treatment that the indigenous peoples of Australia have for nature is honored in Sweet As. Indigenous customs are captured empathetically and respectfully, such as welcoming nature and asking to be protected during their time in the outback.
It is a film that represents different indigenous tribes and is informed by their values. And although it is made clear that the indigenous people of Australia are still suffering the effects of systemic racism, intergenerational trauma, and the so-called "stolen generation," Sweet As focuses its attention on the rich culture that indigenous tribes have had to fight so hard to preserve. On the pride that indigenous people defend even after decades of oppression. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, Sweet As is above all a coming of age film from the point of view of an indigenous girl whose worries and fears are the same as those of any other teenage girl: When is my mother coming back? What do I want to do with my life? And how can I tell that a boy likes me too?
The breathtaking shots of nature take us to a part of Australia that many people will never get to see in this way. In complete solitude, we follow the four young people and experience how they grow closer, slowly open up and learn to overcome at least part of their problems. Accompanied by music of indigenous artists, Sweet As becomes a coherent film that reflects the reality of indigenous people and is told by their own voices. I can only recommend this journey into the Australian outback to everyone.
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