Unfinished Sky 2007

     This film is based on a screenplay titled De Poolse Bruid by Kees van der Hulst.  John Woldring is a very honest Australian Outback sheep-farmer and he leads an isolated life.  It’s just John and his dog Elvis on the farm.  One night an exotic looking woman turns up at the farm.  She has been running barefooted, she’s bruised and bleeding plus she’s very dirty from the running.  She can’t explain what has happened to her.  She doesn’t speak English and she’s extremely frightened!!  Grumpily, John takes her into his home but he feels he doesn’t have a choice.  She needs help and probably has no other place to go?  He learns over time that she’s an Afghan refugee.  She is looking for her other illegally emigrated relatives.   John tries to help her with the language and he buys children’s books for her to read.  John was married before but his wife died and he lets Tahmeena wear her clothes since she has nothing of her own to wear.  Thameena and her relatives were brought to Australia by human traffickers and they are probably looking for her?
     It’s very tragic what has happened to Thameena and her relatives.  Her daughter Shahla has also been taken somewhere in Australia but she doesn’t know where is is?  John is also trying to help Thameena find her daughter but she becomes almost suicidal when their first contact is not with her people and her daughter isn’t there.  John learns that Thameena had escaped from virtual imprisonment at a local tavern.  It at the travern that Thameena was beaten.  As time goes by, John learns more about what happened to Thameena and that she is still in danger from the traffickers.  They don't want anyone to learn what they have been doing and try to stop them.  What they are doing is illegal but it their business??
3 1/2* (I liked this movie)   

Note:  Imdb 6.8 out of 10 with 930 views, Rotten Tomatoes 90% critic with 10 reviews 82% audience with 612 ratings, Letterboxd 3.2* out of 5*, Amazon 4.2* out of 5* with 33 reviews,  eyeforfilm.co.uk 2 1/2* out of 5*, themoviedb.org 65% user score.

94 min, Drama directed and written by Peter Duncan with William McInnes, Monic Hendrickx, Milo (John's dog), Bille Brown, Christopher Sommers, David Field, Sam Cotton, Kristina Andersen, Renai Caruso, Zulaikha Deen, Scott McRae, Roy Billing, Mercia Deane-Johns, Philippa Coulthard, Hannah Cocker.

Special Note:  Filmed in Queensland, Australia.  This film is a remake of another film titled The Polish Bride 1998.  The title refers to a puzzle John had been working on with all blue pieces except for some white clouds at the top.  Thameena started helping John with the puzzle but the sky is unfinished.  Elvis is an Australian cattle dog.  This breed of dog is extremely alert and intelligent plus loyal to their owners.  They are wary of strangers and they bark to alert their owners.  They are energetic and not suited for apartment or small space living.  They thrive when they are given work to do.  I have met some of these dogs in my neighborhood and they can try to dominate other dogs in passing.