THE DROVER’S WIFE: THE LEGEND OF MOLLY JOHNSON @SXSW

If it wasn’t for actress-director Leah Purcell‘s mother telling her the bedtime story of Molly Johnson when she was a child, the inspiration for this film wouldn’t have been the same. Molly Johnson was a symbol of feminism and anti-racism who did whatever she could to protect her children. She was a hero to Leah Purcell because she would always ask her mother to retell this story at bedtime. The original story came from Henry Lawson in 1892. A century later, the story of The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson makes its cinematic premiere at SXSW.

The story of Molly Johnson spoke to Leah Purcell because of her Australian Indigenous roots. She rewrote the story into a play in 2016 at the Belvoir Theatre where she acted as Molly Johnson. It went on to win many awards where the audience kept on wanting and coming back for more. A year later she rewrote the version of Molly Johnson into a novel. That as well went on to win many literary awards. Now that she has transferred this story into a film, the sky is the limit.

There are so many layers to peel to The Drover’s Wife. It sets back in the year 1893 in the hard landscapes of Australia. Molly is in the latter stages of her pregnancy. Furthermore, she’s left to her own devices with her children. Her husband has left to drive sheep in the north and so does not hesitate to shoot if she needs to. Even if it is Nate Clintoff, played by Sam Reid, the new townsman who becomes suspicious of who Molly Johnson is when his tenure begins. Or if it’s the most wanted Aboriginal man in town Yadaka, played by Rob Collins. She will do whatever it takes to protect herself, her children or her property.

An offbeat romance begins to unravel between Yadaka and Molly Johnson. She spares his life but shows her aggression from the beginning so he won’t be able to try anything cute. As he slowly begins to win her over, Molly becomes to put her guard down. This is where the truth comes out of who they both are and where they come from. Yadaka embraces this truth about himself and being a black Aboriginal man. Whereas Molly does not and denies that she is not even close to someone who has Aboriginal roots. The buildup to this tension is quite the ride. You become excited when their true identities are revealed.

Whatever you choose to take from this film, it will resonate with you. Molly Johnson was a hero to women and especially those of Aboriginal roots in Australia. This is why the first rendition in the play format was so engaging to audiences to see an impregnated woman fight to protect herself and her children. Her standing up against men at the time was groundbreaking, unheard of, risky and courageous. To also stand up for her Aboriginal roots that she has laid down is historically fundamental to the sovereignty and perseverance of her people. Whether she knows it or not, Molly Johnson had lots to live for and a lot of fight in her.

And who better than writer, director, actor Leah Purcell to play this gritty heroic role that does not let up. No one knows or will ever know who Molly Johnson and the fight that she went through just to protect what is dearest to her. Leah Purcell herself has fought for this story to appeal to the masses. She went against the grain in an industry that was not in her favour. The battle was all worth it as women or people in vulnerable groups have become inspired to fight this fight along with her. Molly Johnson is a hero. Leah Purcell is a Wonder Woman.

Click below for our exclusive interview with Leah Purcell who discusses her journey of production of the film The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson