ELLIS PARK. Starring Warren Ellis and Femke den Haas. Directed by Justin Kurzel. Rated M (coarse language). 106 min.
This is the first documentary film that has been made by Justin Kurzel. The movie begins with scenes filmed in Ballarat, Victoria. Kurzel is best known for his extraordinary direction of Macbeth (2015), Nitram (2021), and Snowtown (2011), which all three films deal with disturbing and graphically violent events.
The film under the cover of Australian mountains, takes viewers from Ballarat to Paris, and to Sumatra, Indonesia. Ellis is an Australian musician, who aims to energise viewers through his musical talent and his vital, spirited performances.
The movie focuses on a wildlife sanctuary in Sumatra, Ellis Park, founded by Warren Ellis and Femke den Haas. At the park rescued trafficked animals are nursed back to health from inflicted injuries. Where animals cannot be released back into the wild because of the severity of their injuries, the park offers them a dignified life and care.
The animals’ devoted carers are led passionately by dedicated conservationist-activist, Femke den Haas while Ellis is an Australian music icon who performs, composes, and plays an impressive range of musical instruments. The film is written by Justin Kerzel in collaboration with Nick Fenton, and both Femke den Haas and Warren Ellis play themselves.
The movie shows injured creatures being returned joyfully to the wild, and the film links Ellis’ acknowledged hedonism of his youth with the plights of the sanctuary’s traumatised animals. Ellis as a musical artist and the plight of injured animals creates an interesting ambivalence and the contrast raises important issues. However, the film more coherently addresses the threats to the welfare of the animals.
This is a deeply introspective documentary that passionately celebrates personal commitment to animal health and happiness, and it significantly addresses the special importance of living one’s values in a compassionate and human way.
The film exposes viewers to images of animal mistreatment, and such imagery is an important component of the intended impact of the film. Parents, however, will need to be aware that there could be risks involved in exposing some children to the images of animal cruelty. As the opening credits say, ‘discretion’ is required.
Spherex
Released 12 June 2025