An outwardly happy Australian couple journey to Calcutta to collect their adopted baby, but on arrival find that the arrangements have yet to be finalized. Soon, the intoxicating mystic power of the Indian city pulls them in separate and unexpected directions, and the vulnerability of their marriage begins to reveal itself.
Plot
Fiona (Radha Mitchell) and Ben (Joel Edgerton) are a couple from Australia—she is a successful, self-starting lawyer while he is a relaxed, easy-going musician. Fiona and Ben, who want to adopt a child, travel to India for what they imagine will be a quick and simple process. However, once they arrive in Calcutta (now Kolkata) they learn that little happens quickly in India, and for all the promises that have been made, they begin to doubt whether they will be able to complete the final stages of the adoption process. While Fiona stays in touch with her clients at home via the internet and deals with the legal red tape slowing down the adoption, Ben finds himself wandering the streets of Calcutta and adjusting to the rhythms of the city. The stress of the waiting period seems to reinforce the differences between Fiona and Ben, and tension begins to grow into anger and resentment; adding to Ben’s dissatisfaction is his budding friendship with Scarlett (Isabel Lucas), an attractive fellow visitor who seems more compatible with his attitudes than his wife. Fiona, an atheist, finds herself at odds with the Indian people who are driven by religious tradition. As her stay in India progresses, the various unfamiliar sights evoke spiritual feelings in her. When Ben and Fiona finally go to the orphanage to meet their would-be daughter Lakshmi, they discover that she is chronically ill and likely unable to survive a flight to Sydney. Fiona and Ben are devastated when Lakshmi dies a few days later. Having lost all that they meant to find in India, the lovers decide once again that they need each other and engage in reconciliation.
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Production
Prior to filming, McCarthy and the film’s director of photography, Denson Baker, went on research trips to India to observe the filming locations. Baker compiled over 6,000 photos during the pre-production phase. Baker has since worked on cinematography for television shows such as Victoria in 2017 and The Luminaries in 2020, and films such as Ophelia in 2018. Separate casting directors were used for the cast of The Waiting City, with one casting director in Australia and another casting director in India.
The film was produced by Jamie Hilton. The Waiting City was his theatrical debut as a producer. Following this film, he has worked on other films such as Sleeping Beauty in 2011, The Little Death in 2014, and Backtrack in 2015.
Beginning in late 2008, The Waiting City took 32 days to shoot. There were 120 members on the Indian production team, originating from Mumbai and Calcutta. In the Australian team, there were 10 production members and three cast members. Production design for the film was done by Pete Baxter, who has since worked on television shows such as Safe Harbour in 2018, On the Ropes in 2018, and Total Control in 2019.
The Waiting City premiered at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival on 16 September 2009, and received its wide release in Australian cinemas on 15 July 2010. On its opening weekend, The Waiting City grossed $119,021 in Australia. In total, the film grossed $500,641.
Related Videos
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Behind the scenes clip from The Waiting City – shot in Calcutta & featuring comments by actor Isabel Lucas & director Claire McCarthy. -
Behind the scenes clip of The Waiting City – Director Claire McCarthy & Radha Mitchell talks about working with Joel Edgerton. Joel Edgerton discusses working on the film & in India. -
THE WAITING CITY is a mystically infused love story set within the intoxicating backdrop of epic Calcutta, India.
