‘Wolfram’ Review: Warwick Thornton’s ‘Sweet Country’ Follow-Up Is Just as Ravishingly Bleak
#Wolfram film#Warwick Thornton#Berlin Film Festival#Sweet Country sequel#Aboriginal Australian cinema#tungsten mining#indigenous survival#colonial history
📌 Key Takeaways
Warwick Thornton's 'Wolfram' premiered at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival as a sequel to his 2017 film 'Sweet Country'
The film explores indigenous survival against colonial exploitation in Central Australia's tungsten mining industry
Returning characters from 'Sweet Country' are joined by new conflicts involving outlaws who 'claim' Aboriginal children
The film balances bleak colonial settings with moments of hope through the resourcefulness of child characters
📖 Full Retelling
Aboriginal Australian director Warwick Thornton premiered his follow-up film 'Wolfram' at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival on February 20, 2026, a sequel to his 2017 colonial-era Western 'Sweet Country' that returns to the harsh landscapes of Central Australia in the early 1930s to explore indigenous survival against colonial exploitation. The film follows two heartless 'whitefella' outsiders who arrive in the fictional town of Henry, forcing a charismatic 'half-breed' man and two Aboriginal child miners to unite and fend for themselves amidst the tungsten mining industry where indigenous people could be 'claimed' by whites through violence. Thornton, who also serves as cinematographer, directs from a script co-written with Steven McGregor and David Tranter, honoring Tranter's Alyawarre tribal roots and Chinese-Australian heritage while weaving a narrative that explores themes of colonialism, resistance, and survival. The film features returning characters from 'Sweet Country' including Mick Kennedy, a lease owner dealing with PTSD, and Philomac, who has grown wiser but still addresses his father as 'boss.' The central conflict emerges when outlaws Casey and Frank 'claim' one of the Aboriginal siblings, Max, after his owner dies, prompting Max's brother Kid to embark on a quest to find him, leading to a chase sequence that reveals the true colors of both old and new townsfolk. While 'Wolfram' offers stunning visuals and a compelling atmosphere, the review notes some narrative shortcomings including coincidences and a lack of specificity regarding tribal alliances. Thornton's work is particularly valuable as it contributes to the global cinematic canon by telling Aboriginal histories from an indigenous perspective, offering a counter-narrative to colonialist perspectives often seen in films about similar periods and regions.
The Berlin International Film Festival (German: Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin), usually called the Berlinale (German pronunciation: [bɛʁliˈnaːlə] ), is an annual film festival held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festival has been held every February since ...
Warwick Thornton is an Aboriginal Australian film director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. His debut feature film Samson and Delilah won the Caméra d'Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and the award for Best Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. He also won the Asia Pacific Screen Award for B...
Wolfram, a sequel to Sweet Country, continues to spotlight Indigenous Australian history through a Western lens, offering a rare perspective from an Aboriginal filmmaker. Its release at Berlin and pursuit of U.S. distribution could broaden global awareness of colonial injustices and indigenous resilience.
Context & Background
Director Warwick Thornton follows his 2017 film Sweet Country with a new story set in 1930s Central Australia.
The film centers on Aboriginal child miners exploited for tungsten extraction, reflecting real colonial exploitation.
Key characters from Sweet Country return, linking the two narratives.
Thornton doubles as cinematographer, emphasizing visual storytelling.
The film premiered at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival and seeks U.S. distribution.
What Happens Next
After its Berlin premiere, Wolfram is in negotiations with U.S. distributors to secure a theatrical and streaming release. If successful, the film will join a growing catalog of Indigenous‑led cinema that educates audiences about Australia’s colonial past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Wolfram?
Warwick Thornton, the Australian Aboriginal filmmaker who also served as cinematographer.
What is the film's setting?
Early 1930s Central Australia, in a fictional town called Henry.
How does Wolfram relate to Sweet Country?
It is a direct sequel that brings back several characters and continues the story of Aboriginal resistance.
Is Wolfram available in the U.S. yet?
It has not yet secured U.S. distribution but is actively seeking a release partner.
