In late April, a ceremony was held in Turkey to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Gallipoli. During World War One, the Turkish-led Ottoman Empire was aligned with the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires, and at Gallipoli French and British forces, including soldiers from Commonwealth allies in Australia, Newfoundland, India and New Zealand, mounted an amphibious attack on the Strait of Dardanelles with the goal of capturing the Turkish capital of Constantinople/Istanbul.
The attack did not go well.
This Australian/Turkey/US co-production is set four years after the battle. It’s directed by Russell Crowe, and concerns an Aussie farmer (also played by Crowe) who journeys to Turkey to discover the fate of his three sons who fought in the battle and were declared missing-in-action.
The Water Diviners screens at the RPL Theatre Friday June 26 and Sunday June 28 at 7 p.m., and Saturday June 27 at 9 p.m. Here’s the trailer
