Writer: Justin Kurzel and Nick Fenton
Director: Justin Kurzel
The dual story of Australian musician Warren Ellis’ career, both as members of Bad Seeds and the Indonesian wildlife centre that he founded in Sumatra, director Justin Kurzel makes the move into documentary with this intimate story of a man who opens up his home, family and life experiences to the cameras while Kurzel’s twin narrative also takes an ecological perspective, focusing on the rescue work undertaken at the sanctuary, all punctuated by Ellis’ melancholy violin playing.
Kurzel takes a fairly standard approach to the biopic here, putting Ellis at the centre of the film as its primary talking head and allowing him to lead the audience through his life story, including a troubled childhood relationship with his mother – who now has dementia symptoms – who Kurzel goes to meet with Ellis early in the film where they discuss family life and music. Ellis is a practiced speaker, already drawing his own psychological conclusions about his life and his mental health as well as assuming insight into his father’s struggles in a number of candid, if remarkably self-aware, discussions.
This confrontation with trauma (Ellis’ word) is something that Kurzel is particularly renowned for in his fictional film work, most notably an intensely powerful 2015 version of Macbeth. There is much more light and shade here in Ellis Park, largely because Kurzel lets Ellis take the lead, so family concerns segue into celebration of the musical collaboration and partnership with Bad Seeds bandmate Nick Cave
Initially the story of the wildlife centre is completely dislocated from Ellis’ personal history, and although examples of rescued animals and the dedication of staff protecting them from poachers is intercut, it is treated as a quite separate, almost entirely different film. Audiences must wait till an hour into the film before Ellis starts to talk about his inspiration for opening the park, visits it and what it means to support endangered creatures as well as the inspiration he takes from the staff who give him perspective on his creative troubles.
Ellis Park is a warm film, one that charts an interesting musical life and its inspiration, even if you’ve never listened to Bad Seeds’ music. But this is a single perspective, filmed continually with Ellis as he tours the places and venues that mean most to him in Australia but also in France where he records which is never explained. There is never any other independent view on Ellis either from the family and colleagues who are filmed alongside him or from industry sources reflecting on the impact of his career.
Kurzel gives plenty of space to new and archive footage of performance which fans will love but a little more critical reflection on the subject would make this a more rounded experience.
Ellis Park is screening at the BFI London Film Festival 2024.
