Though it keeps faith with his previous award-winning films Beneath Clouds, Toomerlah, Ivan Sen’s latest film Mystery Road nevertheless represents a quantum leap in his filmmaking. Embracing a range of references as diverse as Bong Joon-ho and John Ford, Sen still manages to establish a unique identity for his compelling Outback-set thriller. Superbly controlled and measured in its tempo, Sen has almost single-handedly created this film. As well as writing and directing, Sen worked as his own DOP, editor and score composer. The film boasts an impressive array of riveting performances from Australian stars like Hugo Weaving and Jack Thompson to superb and character actors like Tony Barry, Jack Charles and David Field. Functioning as the film’s anchor, Aaron Pederson’s cop is like a throwback to Humphrey Bogart and Gary Cooper as he investigates the murder of a young girl in a desert town. With an assured hand, Sen peels back the egalitarian facade to reveal the racism that still pervades Australian culture, but in a way that never eclipses a thriller’s primary imperative to entertain as it produces a sense of uneasiness. (Russell EDWARDS)