By
The worst serial killer case in Australia is referred to as the Snowtown murders (aka the Bodies in Barrels murders). Eleven people were killed (possibly 12), the remains of eight victims stuffed into acid-filled barrels. Several people helped carry out the killings, but it was John Bunting who masterminded the brutal acts of torture and murder that took place between 1992 and 1999.
In The Snowtown Murders, first-time director Justin Kurzel and first-time screenwriter Shaun Grant take a disturbing look at the killings and the people involved. It’s a tough, uncompromising, but compelling film with shades of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. At the movie’s center are the performances of Daniel Henshall (who plays Bunting) and newcomer Lucas Pittaway (who plays one of Bunting’s accomplices).
The film was originally titled just Snowtown when released in Australia last year. Look out for our review of The Snowtown Murders closer to the March 2nd limited release. If you’re in New York, you can catch two screenings of it at the Film Comment Selects festival this Friday and Sunday.
[Via The Film Stage]