In this scene from The Dressmaker (Jocelyn Moorhouse, Australia, 2015), Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet) returns to the tiny, outback town of Dungatar, to the community that cast her out as a young girl after accusing her of a terrible crime.

Having quietly slipped back into town late one evening, spotted only by local police officer Sergeant Farrat (Hugo Weaving), Tilly sets about making her presence known the following day at a local football match. Tilly's appearance stops everyone in their tracks when she arrives wearing a striking, red silk-taffeta dress with matching stilettos and dark glasses.

Her arrival elicits all manner of reactions, on and off the football field. Teddy (Liam Hemsworth) reveals his cheeky and flirtatious side, and Sergeant Farrat can barely contain his adoration of her luxurious dress. Meanwhile, we get a glimpse into the spitefulness of other characters, including local Shire President, Evan Pettyman (Shane Bourne) and the snooty Elsbeth Beaumont (Caroline Goodall).

The presence of Tilly's mother Molly (Judy Davis), who was shunned by most of the community after Tilly left, tips us off that Dungatar bears the weight of some dark secrets.

This scene signals that the stage is now set for alliances to be forged and battles to begin.

CREDITS

Director Jocelyn Moorhouse Producer Sue Maslin Written by Jocelyn Moorhouse, PJ Hogan Based on the novel by Rosalie Ham Music by David Hirschfelder Cast Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Liam Hemsworth, Sarah Snook, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Bourne