DocumentaryYear2008Duration1h 23mIMDb7.4

Bastardy

Name: Bastardy
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2008-08-02
Rating: 7.4

Documentary

An intimate documentary of Jack Charles, a.k.a. "Jackie", the legendary Australian aboriginal actor who co-founded Australia's first indigenous theatre company and struggled with his identity later in life.

Watch Now

Trailer

Cast

Amiel Courtin-Wilson

Director

Jack Charles

Self

Robert Plazek

Arresting Police Officer

Documentary★ 6.6

XXXmas

Comments

8 Comments

MOHAMED 94May 29, 2023

source: Bastardy

Punjanprama May 23, 2023

Let me first qualify my title here by saying the music they picked for the sound track, whoever the band is, that irritating female vocal, it was truly nauseating! I will have a look and find out who it is, so I can avoid them in future! OK I now know the music was made by a Steve Benwell who has his own page here at IMDb. Only credited with this movie! Forgetting the awful music for a moment, what was the movie like? Well, I have watched many films of people who are homeless, drug addicts, people with major issues affecting their lives, drugs violence abuse and more. This one was different. This film didn't really 'touch' me. I always see some redeeming quality in people, even the nastiest person can be truly loving, or truly generous or innocent, there are many qualities of the human being and these people do actually possess them too! Strangely, Mr Jackson did not appear, to me, to have such qualities. The guy was, well, boring! It's a shame I suppose but on paper this guy is a superb documentary subject. However in reality he is a bore!! He talks of nothing much all throughout the film. When he is helped he almost seems nonplussed! Then later, when he steals from a friend, I realised the disregard this guy has for others. For many years of his life seemingly. OK, I may be being harsh, the guy must have SOME qualities?! Probably. This film does not highlight them, nor does it make the viewer warm to him. Please don't get angry or say I am being horrible to the guy! I mean, there are boring people in every sector of human society. This guy happens to be one of them. This left me cold, bored and almost asleep. I'd avoid it if I were you but well...don't be swayed by me, or anyone: Watch it for yourself and find out what YOU think!

Mona LisaMay 23, 2023

I walked past this film when it was both at the cinemas and as a DVD but just caught it on ABC. How I regret not watching it earlier. The fascinating story of Jack Charles is propelled by narration by Charles himself which is weaved into footage of his life on the street and from his acting in films from his past. Jack Charles is an actor with a long history on the screen and stage who is also a career criminal and drug abuser. This film charts several years in his life as he discusses his past. A terrific and fascinating documentary that stands testament to its subject and its makers and well recommended to anybody who has an interest in acting, the Australian indigenous experience or quality documentary film making.

Loisa AndalioMay 23, 2023

Amiel Courtin-Wilson's documentary, Bastardy (2008), follows the life of Jack Charles – a homeless Indigenous Australian actor based in Melbourne who is struggling with a heroin addiction and faces burglary charges. The film gives an intimate insight into the challenges and experiences Charles faced over a period of seven years where he was in and out of prison. The film has a heightened sense of voyeurism, as an observational-style documentary, following Charles in various settings around Melbourne. As this continues throughout the duration of the film, the audience is corralled into a position where our morality is questioned. This was particularly prominent when Amiel informs Jack the particular day of his arrest warrant and Jack proceeds to tell him that he won't be there when the police will be. At this point of the film, it's clear that Courtin's friendship to Charles has become such a close bond that even Courtin admits in his director's statement: 'I was unsure sure if what I was doing was legal anymore.' This was intriguing to see how deep his connection with Charles had become. The seven year project had become something much more personal than Courtin had planned as the filmmaking had 'paled in comparison to the increasingly profound friendship we developed.' The audience does not see Courtin on screen at any point, which enhances the connection between the viewer and Charles. Meaning that as the film progresses, a sense of camaraderie is made between the two. This rare occurrence is one of the film's best qualities as we, the audience, are more closely connected with the protagonist of the film. Bastardy is a remarkable Australian documentary, which displays the promising talents of Amiel Courtin-Wilson as an up and coming filmmaker. It is an incredible story displaying the extraordinary survival and perseverance of Jack Charles.

🤴🏻 Aku = Rana = 🤴🏻Apr 1, 2023

source: Bastardy

El maria de luxeApr 1, 2023

cabdi xajjjiApr 1, 2023

NonaApr 1, 2023

Featured Picks

Looking for more entertainment? Explore our recommended gaming hub and short-drama destination.

Instant Games

Gamixo

Play casual browser games with puzzles, cards, sports, and quick challenges ready in seconds.

Visit Now

Short Drama

VSKIT Drama

Watch trending mini-series, romance stories, and fresh short dramas with fast daily updates.

Visit Now

Bastardy

Trailer

Cast

You Might Also Like

Make It Look Real

Neon

Seven Friends: George Miller's Justice League

Whiteley

The Missing 8

Emergency

Nemesis

Outback Opal Hunters

Paramedics

Rise of the Dictators

Access All Areas: Erebus Motorsport

Show Me the Money

World's Greatest Man Made Wonders

Life in Colour

Ambulance Australia

Adults Only!

Sex, Explained

Life on Our Planet

How to Get Rich

Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal

Animal

The Principles of Pleasure

The Mind, Explained

XXXmas

Featured Picks

Gamixo

VSKIT Drama