Watch The Furnace

The Furnace is a 2019 independent film set in the Western Australian goldfields during the late 19th century. The movie was directed by Roderick MacKay and stars Jamie Bernadette, Luthuli Dlamini, and Laura Linn. The movie narrates the story of an Afghan cameleer named Hanif (Ahmed Malek) who gets accused of a crime he didn't commit.

The story begins with the arrival of Hanif into the town of Port Agnew, where he meets a local gold miner named Mal (David Wenham). Soon enough, Hanif finds himself implicated in a murder case and must flee with Mal to avoid a posse of vigilantes who are after him. While they travel for days through the harsh landscape of Western Australia, they encounter an aboriginal man named Woorak (Jay Ryan) who is on a quest to find his own peace.

As the trio continue their dangerous journey, Mal's true motives for helping Hanif are revealed. He has been helping smuggle gold to the city from the mine where he works. When the three of them finally reach the mine, they discover a furnace that Mal has been using to extract gold from the ore. However, they soon realize that their gold smuggling adventure is not over yet, as they have to face the wrath of the mine's owner, who is a volatile and dangerous man.

The Furnace is a powerful and evocative movie that explores themes of racism, identity, and survival. The film does an excellent job of immersing the audience in the brutal and unforgiving landscape of the late 19th century Australia. The stunning cinematography by Michael McDermott is breathtaking, capturing both the harshness of the landscape and the beauty of the natural environment.

The performances in The Furnace are exceptional, with Ahmed Malek delivering a powerful and nuanced performance as Hanif. David Wenham is equally impressive as Mal, bringing complexity to his character that makes him both liked and despised by the audience. Jay Ryan shines as Woorak, bringing a quiet but powerful presence to the movie.

The Furnace is not your typical Western movie, as it avoids clichés and stereotypes, and tackles complex themes of race and identity. The film is a poignant exploration of the experiences of the Afghan cameleers, who were an integral part of the Australian gold rush yet were largely ignored by mainstream history. The movie offers a potent reminder of the colonial past of Australia and its ongoing impact on its indigenous people.

In summary, The Furnace is a highly recommended movie that stands out as one of the most original and powerful dramas of 2019. Its compelling performances, evocative cinematography, and intelligent writing make it a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of Australia and its people.

The Furnace is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.