Prior to any vacation I like to buff up on the more critically acclaimed movies of the country I’m visiting. Before going to Italy, I obviously had to dive into some Fellini. So naturally before going to Australia I thought it would be fitting to watch a bunch of the movies from down under. I watched the following movies:

• Rabbit-Proof Fence
• Mental
• Walkabout
• Crocodile Dundee
• The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
• The Dish
• Ten Canoes
• Kenny
• The Castle
• Picnic at Hanging Rock
• Japanese Story
• Wish You Were Here
• Muriel’s Wedding
• Rented but didn’t watch after reading the plot summary: Samson & Delilah, and The Tracker

There is a reason why Crocodile Dundee is probably the only one you’ve seen. The Dish and Kenny also didn’t make me want to blow my brains out. So based on my quick calculations, 80% of Australian movies are bleak as f*ck. They will weigh you down with a black despondency. Why do we exist on this godforsaken planet anyway? Of course I suppose Aussies can simply run out and go surfing on a pristine beach in the glorious sunshine after they watch these movies. I have to look outside at the gray Seattle skyline and ask myself, in utter despair, “My God WHY?”

I talked to a few Australians about this while I was there. Some even said they refuse to watch Australian movies for this very reason.

Feel similarly? Have more depressing movies to add to my list? Comment below!