North West Theatre Company Film Club MOVIE OF THE MONTH

Submitted by Rick Hutton – NWTC Film Club Secretary

March’s Film Cub offering is Oranges and Sunshine

“Oranges and Sunshine” is a 2010 Australian drama film directed by Jim Loach as his directorial debut. It stars Emily Watson, Hugo Weaving and David Wenham, with a screenplay by Rona Munro, based on the 1994 book ‘Empty Cradles’ by Margaret Humphreys.

Until the early 1970s, thousands of British children -- many orphans, others taken by social workers from broken homes -- were packed onto ships bound for Australia. Promised “oranges and sunshine,” many instead endured abuse in workhouses as virtual slaves.

In 1987, Nottingham, England, social worker Margaret Humphreys (Emily Watson) learns the horrific extent of this program as she attempts to help two of its survivors, the timid Jack (Hugo Weaving) and the violent Len (David Wenham). The film received mixed reviews as well as some prestigious awards.

Filming took place in Adelaide, South Australia, in Nottingham, and at Wirksworth in Derbyshire. Some interior scenes were filmed at the University of Leicester. 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.

“Oranges and Sunshine” will be shown at the Roxy Theatre at 4:00pm on Sunday March 26. Membership can be opened or renewed on the day.