This movie reminded me of EASY RIDER. While not documenting the emergence of a freer counter-culture or revealing the shortcomings of contemporary society, it flowed on similarly as a thoroughly fluid road-movie that sought to uncover deeply-engrained prejudices that still persist, even latently, in attitude formation: black or white.
The two protagonists are once again outcasts; Bill the itinerant, petty-thief rebel-rouser and Dave his good, clear-thinking, articulate Aboriginal friend. They pick up hitchhikers on their way across Northern New South Wales, stopping by Dave's reservation and generally having a good time. The movies ends in an element of pathos analogous to EASY RIDER.
The movie gives the actors scope to make a balanced statement on the nature of racism. Bill Hunter plays an essentially fair, full-loving and decent bloke, who still had ingrained reservations about fully recognising Aboriginal cultural-sovereignty. BACKROADS succeeds because it is sensible and makes no definite statement on the race debate.
A very enjoyable film that probably gave the Australian Film Commission courage to make others like "Wrong Side Of The Road".
