This is another excellent example of how inventive, gritty and damn good Australian cinema can be.

Shot entirely as a 'documentary', Lake Mungo follows a family as they comes to terms with the death of Alice, a young girl. From the outset, we know that Alice died and it adds to the poignancy of her ghosting around the house, especially with the strong performances all around and the 'home video' footage showing a young girl so full of life. We're also teased with the knowledge that something has happened (hence the docu) and we're then left tense throughout as we unravel what did in fact occur. There are surprises to reveal depth to Alice, the situation and the family themselves. There's a disorienting quality which adds to the murky narrative and that's aided by the fragments being revealed piece by piece. As screenwriters, the script is a fascinating study.

There are a number of films to use this 'docu' filming technique, but few do it so effectively. Lake Mungo leaves you feeling unsettled, sad, moved and with more than just the residue of fear.

It's a must see.