HOTEL COOLGARDIE
****
Director: Pete Gleeson
Country: Australia
Classification: MA15+
Runtime: 83 mins
Australian release date: 15 June 2017
Previewed at: Dendy Newtown, Sydney, on 29 May 2017.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – Oi, Oi, Oi! Oh yes, Pete Gleeson’s first feature documentary Hotel Coolgardie depicts a classic example of the sordid ‘Oz’ culture epitomized by that refrain, a culture that exists not only in Australia’s outback but also, in reality, is often found not too far from your own front door. In many ways comparable to the 1971 classic Wake In Fright, in which a British teacher finds himself marooned in an outback town, this real-life yarn is just as disturbing. Coolgardie lies between Perth and the mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and Gleeson’s documentary covers the plight of two 20-something female Finnish back-packers, Lina and Steph, who are contracted to work behind the bar of one of the town’s pubs. They’re replacing two Brit girls who, by all appearances, managed to take the experience in their stride - we are shown a brief, but telling, exposé of the departing girls’ characters, which clearly explains why they were able to cope so well.
The boss is an old male sexist pig, who unashamedly props up his business by exploiting the vulnerable traveller workforce made up of young women looking for an authentic outback experience; the travellers are prepared to put themselves through such a surreal situation for a limited period of time in the hope that the wages, free board and booze-generated tips will rejuvenate their dwindling bank balances so they can continue their journeys. Unlike their English counterparts, the Finnish girls both experience culture shock having to deal with male patrons who are mostly contenders for AA and who consider them ‘fresh meat’, plus a smattering of alcohol-addled women who are just as gross and ill-behaved as the men. Lina and Steph try to maintain their composure while attempting to comprehend their weird surroundings and learn a bit about the country. A vague attempt at befriending a couple of the locals ends up a disaster, particularly for one of the girls, and the only saving grace is an elderly bar patron who takes them under his (very smelly) wing. He represents a glimmer of hope within this chauvinist male sub-culture that shows little regard for itself and absolutely none for the women.
As distasteful as the subject matter is, Hotel Coolgardie is a fine portrayal of a situation that, hopefully, most will never experience and it makes unsettling viewing. It’s to director/cinematographer/editor Gleeson’s credit, and his small crew’s, that this documentary is so revealing. It ain’t pretty but it’s the truth. Shame Australia, shame!
Country: Australia
Classification: MA15+
Runtime: 83 mins
Australian release date: 15 June 2017
Previewed at: Dendy Newtown, Sydney, on 29 May 2017.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – Oi, Oi, Oi! Oh yes, Pete Gleeson’s first feature documentary Hotel Coolgardie depicts a classic example of the sordid ‘Oz’ culture epitomized by that refrain, a culture that exists not only in Australia’s outback but also, in reality, is often found not too far from your own front door. In many ways comparable to the 1971 classic Wake In Fright, in which a British teacher finds himself marooned in an outback town, this real-life yarn is just as disturbing. Coolgardie lies between Perth and the mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and Gleeson’s documentary covers the plight of two 20-something female Finnish back-packers, Lina and Steph, who are contracted to work behind the bar of one of the town’s pubs. They’re replacing two Brit girls who, by all appearances, managed to take the experience in their stride - we are shown a brief, but telling, exposé of the departing girls’ characters, which clearly explains why they were able to cope so well.
The boss is an old male sexist pig, who unashamedly props up his business by exploiting the vulnerable traveller workforce made up of young women looking for an authentic outback experience; the travellers are prepared to put themselves through such a surreal situation for a limited period of time in the hope that the wages, free board and booze-generated tips will rejuvenate their dwindling bank balances so they can continue their journeys. Unlike their English counterparts, the Finnish girls both experience culture shock having to deal with male patrons who are mostly contenders for AA and who consider them ‘fresh meat’, plus a smattering of alcohol-addled women who are just as gross and ill-behaved as the men. Lina and Steph try to maintain their composure while attempting to comprehend their weird surroundings and learn a bit about the country. A vague attempt at befriending a couple of the locals ends up a disaster, particularly for one of the girls, and the only saving grace is an elderly bar patron who takes them under his (very smelly) wing. He represents a glimmer of hope within this chauvinist male sub-culture that shows little regard for itself and absolutely none for the women.
As distasteful as the subject matter is, Hotel Coolgardie is a fine portrayal of a situation that, hopefully, most will never experience and it makes unsettling viewing. It’s to director/cinematographer/editor Gleeson’s credit, and his small crew’s, that this documentary is so revealing. It ain’t pretty but it’s the truth. Shame Australia, shame!