The Sound of One Hand Clapping (1998)

A child without a past - a mother without a future - a story about love.

The Sound of One Hand Clapping (1998) poster

Tasmania, 1954: Slovenian migrant Melita abandons her husband and young daughter, Sonja. Sonja's distraught father perseveres with his new life in a new country, but he is soon crushed into an alcoholic despair, and Sonja herself abandons him at the earliest opportunity. Now, nearly 20 years later, a single and pregnant Sonja returns to Tasmania's highlands and to her father in an attempt to put the pieces of her life back together.

Director: Richard Flanagan
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 93 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Music: Cezary Skubiszewski
Cinematography: Martin McGrath
Editing: Tania Nehme, John Scott
Production: Australian Film Finance Corporation, South Australian Film Corporation, Artist Services
Country: Australia
Language: Slovenščina, English
Original Language: en

Themes

Crushing Despair and the Void, The Suffocating Silence of Loneliness, Addiction and Recovery

Keywords

post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), war crimes, refugee camp, despair, bath tub, family history, heirloom, alienation, alcoholism, unwillingly pregnant, dam, domestic abuse, citizenship, single father, archive footage

More Films by Director: Richard Flanagan
More Films in Genre: Drama

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Sound of One Hand Clapping about?
Tasmania, 1954: Slovenian migrant Melita abandons her husband and young daughter, Sonja. Sonja's distraught father perseveres with his new life in a new country, but he is soon crushed into an alcoholic despair, and Sonja herself abandons him at the earliest opportunity. Now, nearly 20 years later, a single and pregnant Sonja returns to Tasmania's highlands and to her father in an attempt to put the pieces of her life back together.
Who directed The Sound of One Hand Clapping?
The Sound of One Hand Clapping was directed by Richard Flanagan.
Who stars in The Sound of One Hand Clapping?
The Sound of One Hand Clapping stars Kerry Fox, Kristof Kaczmarek, Evelyn Krape, Rosie Flanagan, Essie Davis, Jacek Koman.
How long is The Sound of One Hand Clapping?
The Sound of One Hand Clapping has a runtime of 1h 33m (93 minutes).
What genre is The Sound of One Hand Clapping?
The Sound of One Hand Clapping is a Drama film.
Where was The Sound of One Hand Clapping produced?
The Sound of One Hand Clapping was produced in Australia.
What are the themes of The Sound of One Hand Clapping?
The themes of The Sound of One Hand Clapping include: Crushing Despair and the Void, The Suffocating Silence of Loneliness, Addiction and Recovery.