Goldstone (film)

Goldstone

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	2016 (2016)
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Crime thriller film

Goldstone is a 2016 Australian crime thriller film directed by Ivan Sen. Serving as a follow-up to Mystery Road (2013), it features performances by Aaron Pedersen, Alex Russell, Jacki Weaver, David Wenham, and David Gulpilil. The movie debuted in Australia on 7 July 2016 and was mainly filmed on site in the quaint town of Middleton, Queensland, Australia.

Plot

Set three years after uncovering corruption in his hometown, Indigenous detective Jay Swan is dispatched to the mining settlement of Goldstone to investigate the disappearance of an Asian tourist. Upon being stopped by local officer Josh, who reports to the dishonest mayor Maureen, Jay encounters hostility including an assault on his motel caravan.

Josh connects Jay with Johnny, the mine’s supervisor, who tries to bribe him into supporting the expansion of Furnace Creek mine. Meanwhile, Maureen attempts to secure approval from the Aboriginal land council through corrupt means. Jay’s inquiry reveals a forced prostitution ring involving young Asian women linked to the mining operations.

Jay is detained overnight by mine security personnel and warned off by Maureen. Undeterred, he continues his investigation, uncovering the suspicious death of Aboriginal elder Jimmy and receiving anonymous leads. Josh forms a bond with Mei, a prostitute, gaining insight into the criminal network.

Following Tommy, the land council leader’s confession to killing Jimmy and exposing corruption involving Maureen, Johnny, and hired enforcers, Jay discovers a skeleton connected to the missing tourist. When Josh locates the women’s hideout but falls into an ambush, Jay intervenes with sniper fire, causing the assailants to retreat.

In a climactic showdown at Furnace Creek, Jay and Josh rescue the women amid a gunfight. Johnny escapes by plane but is chased by Jay, who crashes his vehicle during the pursuit. The confrontation ends in a standoff where both men choose not to kill each other.

Federal authorities assume control of the investigation; the women are freed, and Maureen vanishes. Josh seeks a transfer away from Goldstone to avoid ongoing corruption. Jay departs into the desert, contemplating his bond with ancestral land.

Cast

• Aaron Pedersen as Jay Swan
• Alex Russell as Josh Waters
• Jacki Weaver as Maureen the Mayor
• Cheng Pei-pei as Mrs Lao
• David Gulpilil as Jimmy
• Michelle Lim Davidson as Mei
• David Wenham as Johnny
• Michael Dorman as Patch
• Kate Beahan as Pinky
• Max Cullen as Old Timer
• Tom E. Lewis as Tommy
• Cameron Ambridge as Security Guard

Release

The film had its premiere at the Sydney Film Festival on 8 June 2016 before its Australian theatrical release on 7 July 2016. It was reissued on 2 March 2018, with Blu-ray and DVD editions becoming available on 11 September 2018.

Box office

Goldstone earned $87,639 across markets in the US and Canada and $562,713 internationally, accumulating $650,352 globally. Additional home video revenue totaled $11,987 against its $2 million production budget.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has garnered a 76% approval rating derived from 37 critiques, with an average rating of 7.07 out of 10. The general consensus praises its integration of socially aware subject matter within the framework of a procedural thriller. Meanwhile, Metacritic assigned a score of 78 out of 100 based on evaluations from 10 reviewers, reflecting generally positive feedback.

Accolades

Award	Category	Recipient	Outcome
AACTA Awards (6th)	Best Film	David Jowsey	Template:Nom
		Greer Simpkin	Template:Nom
	Best Direction	Ivan Sen	Template:Nom
	Best Original Screenplay		Template:Nom
	Best Editing		Template:Nom
	Best Production Design	Matt Putland	Template:Nom
AFCA Awards	Best Film	David Jowsey	Template:Nom
		Greer Simpkin	Template:Nom
	Best Director	Ivan Sen	Template:Won
	Best Screenplay		Template:Nom
	Best Cinematography		Template:Nom
	Best Actor	Aaron Pedersen	Template:Won
	Best Supporting Actor	David Gulpilil	Template:Nom
	Best Supporting Actress	Jacki Weaver	Template:Won
Australian Screen Sound Guild	Best Film Sound Recording	Mike Bakaloff	Template:Won
		Nick Emond	Template:Won
BFI London Film Festival	Official Competition for Best Film	Ivan Sen	Template:Nom
Film Critics Circle of Australia	Best Film	David Jowsey	Template:Won
		Greer Simpkin	Template:Won
	Best Actor	Aaron Pedersen	Template:Won
	Best Director	Ivan Sen	Template:Won
	Best Script/Screenplay		Template:Won
	Best Editor		Template:Nom
	Best Cinematography		Template:Nom
	Best Music		Template:Won
	Best Actress - Supporting Role	Jacki Weaver	Template:Nom
Sydney Film Festival	Sydney Film Prize for Best Film	Ivan Sen	Template:Nom
Toronto International Film Festival	Platform Prize	Template:Nom