Jindabynbe

Jindabyne is a town of unparalleled beauty. The glasslike, eerie lake, vast, expansive plains, the peculiar, rural conurbation and the lush, shadowy forests all hide many things from view. There are many entities camouflaged in the landscape of Jindabyne. Consequently, there are many instances where disharmony caused by the deceit and intervention shrouds truth and memories.

The town of Jindabyne holds much history but has lost much heritage. The original town of Jindabyne used to be situated in what is now a large lake. The lake came about from the holding dams of the Snowy Mountain Scheme; water was backed up and the town had to be moved out. The veil of water over the old town has an eerie mystique to it that has spouted much folklore concerning the old town. When Stuart is taking Tom out fishing on the lake, he explains the myths surrounding that lake. Tom is drawn by the lake’s allure but yet scared of it at the same time. Jindabyne, both the old and new, holds many secrets. Its residents appear to all have their own agenda to push and are suspicious of all others.

How can empty swathes of land abutting on the area of Jindabyne conceal anything at all? It does not literally hide anything at all, shown by sweeping establishing shots of the fields. It is, in fact, the objective correlative for Claire’s emotions of loneliness and emptiness in life. It is also quite ironic to note that it is the same location where Susan was murdered.

Coincidently, the same unfenced and bare area is the space where the murderer lingers in its only concealment. Furthermore, Gregory hides within the eclectic community of Jindabyne. He lingers on the outer fringes of the town, where large boulders can harbour his presence so that he may prey on others. He then utilises the mountains in the surrounding area to conceal his heinous deeds. Gregory blends into the town and avoids suspicion. The people of Jindabyne are not overly concerned