Oranges and Sunshine is a 2010 biographical drama film directed by Jim Loach, in his directorial debut, with a screenplay by Rona Munro, based on the 1994 book Empty Cradles by Margaret Humphreys.[2] The film stars Emily Watson, Hugo Weaving and David Wenham.
| Oranges and Sunshine | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Jim Loach |
| Screenplay by | Rona Munro |
| Based on | Empty Cradles by Margaret Humphreys |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Denson Baker |
| Edited by | Dany Cooper |
| Music by | Lisa Gerrard |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Icon Film Distribution |
Release dates |
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Running time | 105 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Box office | $6,299,747[1] |
Plot
editThe film is based on the true story of Margaret Humphreys, a social worker from Nottingham who uncovered the scandal of "home children",[3] a scheme of forcibly relocating poor children from the United Kingdom to Australia and Canada.[4]
Deported children were promised "oranges and sunshine" but they instead got hard labour and life in institutions such as Keaney College in Bindoon, Western Australia. Many were given to the Congregation of Christian Brothers, where they suffered physical and sexual abuse at the hands of the brothers.[5][6]
Despite the numerous death threats from those who try to stop her, Margaret is successful in reuniting estranged families, who are situated in Australia and the UK, and brings worldwide attention to the cause.
Cast
edit- Emily Watson as Margaret Humphreys
- Hugo Weaving as Jack
- David Wenham as Len
- Richard Dillane as Merv Humphreys
- Tara Morice as Pauline
- Stuart Wolfenden as Bill
- Kate Rutter as Vera
- Lorraine Ashbourne as Nicky
- Federay Holmes as Charlotte
- Helen Grayson as Bureaucrat
- Ruth Rickman as Orphan
- Harvey Scrimshaw as Ben
- Molly Windsor as Rachel
- Neil Pigot as James
- Tammy Wakefield as Susan
- Adam Morgan as the Intruder
- Neil May as the Commuter
- Adam Tedder as the Doctor
- Greg Stone as Bob
- Aisling Loftus as Susie
- Geoff Morrell as Walter
- Chandran Owen as Pointing man in the street
Production
editFilming
editFilming took place in Adelaide, South Australia, in Nottingham, and at Wirksworth in Derbyshire. Some interior scenes were filmed at the University of Leicester, Leicestershire, in Nottingham County Hall and in the porte-cochère of Nottingham railway station. Other locations that appear are a train on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway; Australia House in London and an overview of Nottingham Council House and the Old Market Square.
A casting session was held in Nottingham to find one boy and one girl for the roles of Margaret's children.[7]
Reception
editRotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 71% based on reviews from 73 critics. The website's critics consensus reads, "Grounded in a heartwrenching fact-based story, steered by Loach's sensitive direction, and led by a powerful performance from Watson, Oranges and Sunshine sidesteps its pacing problems and occasionally clichéd screenplay."[8]
Accolades
edit| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| AACTA Award (1st) |
AFI Members' Choice Award | Camilla Bray, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman | Nominated |
| Best Film | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | David Wenham | Nominated | |
| Best Actress | Emily Watson | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Hugo Weaving | Won | |
| Best Editing | Dany Cooper | Nominated | |
| Best Costume Design | Cappi Ireland | Nominated | |
| AFCA Awards | Best Australian Film | Nominated | |
| Best Actor | David Wenham | Nominated | |
| Hugo Weaving | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Emily Watson | Won | |
| ASE Award | Best Editing in a Feature Film | Dany Cooper | Won |
| ASSG Award | Best Achievement in Mixing in a Feature Film | Gethin Creagh | Won |
| Sam Hayward | Won | ||
| FCCA Awards | Best Film | Camilla Bray, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman | Nominated |
| Best Actor | David Wenham | Nominated | |
| Best Actress | Emily Watson | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Hugo Weaving | Won | |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Feature Film | Camilla Bray, Iain Canning, Jim Loach, Emile Sherman | Nominated |
| Best Script | Rona Munro | Nominated | |
| Best Actor | David Wenham | Nominated | |
| Best Actress | Emily Watson | Won | |
| Best Editing | Dany Cooper | Nominated | |
| Best Music | Lisa Gerrard | Nominated | |
| Best Sound | Gethin Creagh | Nominated | |
| James Currie | Nominated | ||
| John Hughes | Nominated | ||
| Andrew Plain | Nominated | ||
| Best Production Design | Melinda Doring | Won | |
| Rome Film Festival | Golden Marc'Aurelio Award | Jim Loach | Nominated |
| Satellite Award | Best Actress | Emily Watson | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor | Hugo Weaving | Nominated | |
References
edit- ^ "Oranges and Sunshine (2011) - International Box Office Results - Box Office Mojo". boxofficemojo.com.
- ^ Smith, Ian Hayden (2012). International Film Guide 2012. p. 63. ISBN 978-1908215017.
- ^ Edemariam, Aida (20 February 2010). "People should sort this mess". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "Hollywood flick to tell story of Notts social worker". thisisNottingham. 30 September 2009. Archived from the original on 17 April 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ "College History". Catholic Agricultural College Bindoon. 2002. Archived from the original on 24 November 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ Patrick Barkham. "Child migrants: 'I didn't belong to anybody'". The Guardian.
- ^ "Notts youngsters hope to land part in new film". thisisNottingham. 12 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ "Oranges And Sunshine". Rotten Tomatoes. 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
External links
edit- Oranges and Sunshine at IMDb
- Oranges and Sunshine at Rotten Tomatoes
- Sixteen Films
- orangesandsunshine.com.au
- Child Migrants Trust Official website for reuniting children