Watch Hotel Coolgardie

Hotel Coolgardie is a documentary film directed by Pete Gleeson that tells the story of two young Finnish women named Lina and Steph who arrive in a small town in Australia called Coolgardie. They were looking for a job and eventually found themselves working as barmaids at the town's only hotel. As soon as they arrive, they are greeted by the hotel owner, Peter, and his business partner, Steve. They are immediately put to work in a town that is dominated by men, and their arrival causes quite a stir.

The film takes a look at their experiences over a three-month period working in a small town as well as their interactions with the locals. They are very excited about their new jobs but soon find that they are in a difficult position working in an environment that can be exploitative and demanding.

The documentary is a fascinating look at the lives of these two young women as they navigate their way through their new surroundings. They discover that Coolgardie is a town with a history of gold mining, but has since fallen on hard times. As a result, many of the people in the town are struggling to make ends meet, and some turn to the hotel as a place to forget their troubles.

The hotel is known for its lively atmosphere, and Lina and Steph quickly get to know the regular patrons. The men who frequent the hotel are rough around the edges and often seem to be looking for a good time. The women soon realize that the job is not as glamorous as they thought it would be, and they deal with a lot of unwanted attention and harassment.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the dynamic between Lina and Steph. They come from very different backgrounds, and their experiences in Coolgardie are vastly different. Lina is outgoing and loves to party, while Steph is more reserved and focused on her job. They are able to balance each other out and support one another when times get tough.

Throughout the film, we see how the women come to know the locals and the various ups and downs they face while working at the hotel. They are both very determined to succeed, and it's clear that they have a lot of resilience and strength.

The film also explores the larger issue of gender roles in rural Australia. Coolgardie is a town dominated by men, and the women's arrival shakes up the established social order. The fact that Lina and Steph are foreigners also adds to the tension, and many of their co-workers view them as outsiders.

As the months go by, Lina and Steph become more comfortable in their roles, but they continue to struggle with the difficult working conditions. They are also dealing with the isolation of living in a very small town, far from their families and friends.

Overall, Hotel Coolgardie is a fascinating and thought-provoking look at rural Australia and the struggles of working-class people. It's also a powerful exploration of gender dynamics and how difficult it can be for women to navigate certain industries. Despite the challenges they face, Lina and Steph maintain a positive outlook and show that they are capable of overcoming adversity. This documentary is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring these important social issues.

Hotel Coolgardie is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.