Samson (Rowan McNamarra) is a mute, petrol-sniffing teen who shares a pre-fab and an empty refrigerator with his reggae musician brother when he notices Delilah (Marissa Gibson), a local girl who lives with her elderly grandmother Nana (Mitjili Gibson).
The women produce paintings for a local art dealer who sells them on for tidy sums to galleries in Alice Springs; the artists earn only a pittance for their efforts. It is, however, enough to sustain them until Nana passes on and the local women swoop down on her granddaughter, who they deem responsible.
Battered and bruised, Delilah is rescued by her speechless admirer in a truck stolen from the derelict local health centre. Sadly, their road trip brings a whole new set of social deprivations and troubles.
Director Warwick Thornton’s magnificent first feature recalls Walkabout and La Strada but feels coruscating and fresh. Two outstanding non-professional lead performances seal the deal and serve to lighten the darkest material. Their beautiful timing and Mr. Thornton’s keen eye for lush colour ensure that Samson And Delilahis the most poetic road-romance we’ve seen since Badlands.