Film Review: Love in Bright Landscapes
Images courtesy of Label Distribution.
Love in Bright Landscapes - The Story of David McComb of The Triffids isn’t like other biographical documentaries profiling a prominent musician, in fact it’s quite distant from that. Jonathan Alley’s version of David McComb’s life is poetic and striking, positioning itself as a deeply affecting Australian story. Alley’s directorial debut weaves together nostalgic home videos, interviews with contemporaries and found footage to delicately explore McComb’s significance as an Australian cultural icon whilst thoughtfully illustrating McComb’s struggle with identity, class, surroundings and family as he fought to make it on his own terms.
The Triffids, known now as one of Australia’s most well-loved bands, followed the path of many Australian success stories in that they initially achieved limited success at home before venturing overseas and being more fully embraced throughout the UK and Europe. As is detailed in Love in Bright Landscapes, a lot of this success could be attributed to McCombs unmatched ability to conjure extraordinary imagery acting as the backdrop to his heart-broken epics. McComb could perfectly capture the isolation and sense of despair that is truly unique to the Australia country-side, which Alley mirrors throughout the documentary. The striking imagery used encourages the audience to fall in step with McComb’s fascination with place, home and identity all in relation to Australia's vast landscapes whilst providing the space to absorb McComb’s story and cultural significance.
The moving and at times heart-breaking interviews with family, friends and colleagues allow a glimpse into the complexities of McComb and his 20 year career writing songs, poetry and fighting any notion to conform to normalcy. McComb’s determination came at high price, affecting his relationships as well as his mental and physical health. After years of substance use and a heart transplant, McComb met the fate many gifted but tortured artists do, a life cut short, just shy of his 37th birthday.
Love in Bright Landscapes contributes to a re-emergence and appreciation for The Triffids and McComb by poignantly capturing McComb’s unique story of loss and struggle with identity that is endlessly relatable and powerfully synonymous with Australian history. Any unfamiliarity with McComb’s body of work quickly morphs into disbelief that McComb isn’t a more central culture figure transcending generations. Alley brilliantly captures McComb’s story and significance within Australia’s contemporary music history ensuring his legacy is shared, celebrated and never forgotten.
Love in Bright Landscapes is screening in select cinemas from Thursday 5th May. For tickets and more info, click here.