Cinema
Ghosts... of the Civil Dead
John Hillcoat · 1988
Synopsis
In the middle of the desert, the Central Industrial Prison is a private high-security institution. Roger Wenzil is transferred there and discovers its rules and his fellow inmates. The prisoners' privileges are taken away one by one, without explanation, and tension rises between the two camps.
Context
The screenplay was written by the director with Evan English, Gene Conkie, Nick Cave and Hugo Race, based on In the Belly of the Beast, the book by Jack Henry Abbott published in 1981; a former guard at the American prison in Marion was consulted, and according to Senses of Cinema former inmates play some of the roles. Filming took place in a disused factory in Melbourne, on a budget of 1,680,000 dollars. Released in Australia in 1988, the film appeared in France on 18 April 1990 under its original title.
Who it is for
A prison film in Australian English, an hour and a half long, with music by Nick Cave, Blixa Bargeld and Mick Harvey.
Prizes and reception
Fifteen AFI Award nominations, and one award, for production design, for Chris Kennedy's work.