What Happens in Here Out West?
The complete story of Here Out West, from the first scene to the last, in 230 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
The film consists of eight loosely connected sections, each following different characters in Western Sydney.
Nancy (Genevieve Lemon) is unexpectedly left to babysit her neighbour Amirah (Mia-Lore Bayeh). She visits her imprisoned daughter in the hospital where she had just given birth to a baby named Grace, and kidnaps the baby.
Jorge (Christian Ravello), a security guard in the hospital’s carpark who has a fraught relationship with his son, writes poetry in Spanish while working. Nancy tries to leave the hospital with Grace, and as Jorge runs after her, his son stumbles across Jorge’s notebook, reading one of his poems.
Three friends—Dino (Thuso Lekwape), Rashid (Rahel Romahn) and Robi (Arka Das)—get into a fight. They see a man get hit by a car (driven by Nancy, who flees), and carry him to the hospital. The segment ends with Ashmita (Leah Vandenberg) approaching Robi.
Ashmita is at the hospital visiting her dying father. He reverts to speaking only his native Bengali, so Ashmita asks Robi to interpret. Ashmita sings the song “Mama Chitte” and her father has a moment of lucidity.
A Kurdish bağlama-maker tries to find work in Australia to support his family.
Tom returns to his old neighbourhood.
A Filipina nurse works a long shift at the hospital, during which she witnesses Nancy kidnapping the baby.
A mother and daughter work together on the closing night of their restaurant.
