Cracks in the Mask
Synopsis
A century ago the Torres Strait Island were the subjects of the famous Cambridge Anthropological Expedition - the resulting depletion of their cultural artifacts left them with nothing but a history of remembered loss. The only people in the Pacific to make elaborate turtleshell masks have none left - they are all in foreign museums. In a quest to reclaim the past, Ephraim Bani, a wise and knowledgeable Torres Strait Islander, travels with his wife to the great museums of Europe where his heritage lies. The film, an SBS Independent production, shows that the thickest of masks cracks when a descendant of the original owners enters a museum.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Release History & Theatrical Window
Melbourne International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Frances Calvert
- Screenplay & Story
- Karen Margolis, Frances Calvert, Ephraim Bani
- Original Title
- Cracks in the Mask
- Country of Origin
- Australia
- Spoken Languages
- English, French, German
- Runtime
- 57m
- Production Studios
- SBS Independent, Talking Pictures, SF DRS/ SRG SSR idée suisse, WDR
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Frances Calvert
Karen Margolis, Frances Calvert, Ephraim Bani
Florian Wimmer, Johann Feindt
Stewart Young
Frances Calvert, Lindsey Merrison
Department Leadership Roster
Stewart Young
Editor
Frances Calvert
Producer
Lindsey Merrison
Producer
Frances Calvert
Writer
Frances Calvert
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Cracks in the Mask.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Cracks in the Mask.
list17
Similar Titles to Cracks in the Mask
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
6.4
5.9
7.6
6.5
7.0
6.7
7.0
7.0
7.4
More Like Cracks in the Mask
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cracks in the Mask
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Cracks in the Mask about?
A century ago the Torres Strait Island were the subjects of the famous Cambridge Anthropological Expedition - the resulting depletion of their cultural artifacts left them with nothing but a history of remembered loss. The only people in the Pacific to make elaborate turtleshell masks have none left - they are all in foreign museums. In a quest to reclaim the past, Ephraim Bani, a wise and knowledgeable Torres Strait Islander, travels with his wife to the great museums of Europe where his heritage lies. The film, an SBS Independent production, shows that the thickest of masks cracks when a descendant of the original owners enters a museum.
Who directed Cracks in the Mask?
Cracks in the Mask was directed by Frances Calvert.
Who stars in Cracks in the Mask?
The principal cast of Cracks in the Mask includes Ephraim Bani, Petharie Bari, Stewart Coulter, Antonia Lovelace, Charles Hunt.
When was Cracks in the Mask released and how long is it?
Cracks in the Mask was released in 1997 with a total runtime of 57m.