Bran Nue Sapphires

One of the upcoming Australian films I'm most looking forward to tracking is The Sapphires. It's a musical about "Australia's answer to The Supremes"; four girls found within an Aboriginal community in the 1960s who tour Vietnam performing for the troops. Of course, being a movie about "Australia's answer to The Supremes" means The Sapphires will be aiming to be "Australia's answer to Dreamgirls". Or maybe just Sparkle.

In a move that is either brilliant or frustrating, Jessica Mauboy and Deborah Mailman have been cast to star in the movie. Mauboy and Mailman were two of the stars of last year's hit indigenous musical Bran Nue Dae, so their hiring for another indigenous musical makes me raise an eyebrow. Given Dae's status as one of the biggest Aussie films of the decade, it probably makes good fiscal sense, but was Mauboy really the most talented they could find? Apart from her singing - admitted a very important part of a musical - her performance left a lot to be desired.


Nevertheless, The Sapphires is still a film to look forward to and if they play their cards right I don't see why it can't be a huge success. Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell will co-star as the final two members of the group in Wayne Blair's film and, I'm sure, some more big names will join them in the future. From Inside Film:

The Sapphires will be directed by actor and theatre director Wayne Blair and produced by Goalpost Pictures Australia’s Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne. The film will be distributed locally by Hopscotch Films, which was recently acquired by global distributor Entertainment One, and sold internationally by Goalpost Film UK.

Hopscotch Films managing director Troy Lum said the company is tremendously excited to be the Australian and New Zealand distributor.

“The Sapphires has it all – a great story with lots of love and laugher, set against the backdrop of the social upheaval of the late 1960’s, a wonderful cast and crew and an unbeatable soul music soundtrack," he said in a statement.

Below is a clip of Jessica Mauboy from Bran Nue Dae as well as a clip from The Sapphires, taken from the stage musical that starred Christine Anu, Casey Donovan, Kylie Farmer and Hollie Andrews.


Images via

Australian Circles

The Film Critics Circle of Australia recently announced the nominees for their 2010 awards and I am, unfortunately, only just getting around to posting them. What can I say? I've been busy!

Naturally, David Michôd's Animal Kingdom lead the competition with its ten nominations, but the best result of the nominations was the haul of Claire McCarthy's The Waiting City. One of my favourite Aussie films of last year was sadly left off of the AFI list apart from one meager Best Cinematography nomination. I suspect Bright Star's absence - which fell within the AFI's eligibility window, but not the FCCA's as it was a late 2009 release - paved way for that, but it's nice to see nonetheless. Also surprising was the relatively strong showing of Shirley Barrett's snooze-fest South Solitary. I can be on board with Essie Davis' supporting actress citation, but the rest makes me raise an eyebrow. I wasn't aware of anyone actually liking that movie apart from an errant one or two. Other films to feature prominently were Bran Nue Dae, Tomorrow When the War Began, Beneath Hill 60 and Belinda Chayko's Lou, which came and disappeared in a blink. Nice to see it get some recognition here though.

In regards to those final two categories, isn't it interesting that even people outside of the American awards circle can still find themselves nominating the same films? My personal ballot of best foreign films - English language or not - wouldn't include any of those titles! Hmmm.

Best Film
Animal Kingdom
Beneath Hill 60
Bran Nue Dae
Tomorrow When The War Began
The Waiting City

Best Director
Stuart Beattie, Tomorrow When The War Began
Claire McCarthy, The Waiting City
David Michôd, Animal Kingdom
Rachel Perkins, Bran Nue Dae
Jeremy Hartley Sims, Beneath Hill 60

Best Actor – Leading Role
Brendan Cowell, Beneath Hill 60
Joel Edgerton, The Waiting City
James Frecheville, Animal Kingdom
Ryan Kwanten, Red Hill
Ben Mendelsohn, Animal Kingdom

Best Actress – Leading Role
Lily Bell-Tindley, Lou
Radha Mitchell, The Waiting City
Miranda Otto, South Solitary
Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom

Best Actor – Supporting Role
Joel Edgerton, Animal Kingdom
Steve Le Marquand, Beneath Hill 60
Guy Pearce, Animal Kingdom
Kodi Smit-McPhee, Matching Jack

Best Actress – Supporting Role
Emily Barclay, Lou
Morgana Davies, The Tree
Essie Davis, South Solitary
Deborah Mailman, Bran Nue Dae

Best Foreign Film – English Language
Inception, Director: Christopher Nolan
The King’s Speech, Director: Tom Hooper
The Social Network, Director: David Fincher
Winter’s Bone, Director: Debra Granik

Best Foreign Language Film
Father Of My Children, Director: Mia Hansen-Løve
A Prophet, Director: Jacques Audiard
The Secret In Their Eyes, Director: Juan Jose Campanella
The White Ribbon, Director: Michael Haneke

For the complete list of nominations, including screenplay, editing, music and cinematography, click on over to Encore.

AFI Contenders for 2010

The Australian Film Institute, of which I am a member, released their 19 wide list of eligible films for this awards. It ranges from big budget action blockbusters to tiny, ultra low budget dramas and everything in between including horror, comedy and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Let's take a look.

Accidents Happen
Dir. Andrew Lancaster
Geena Davis stars in this Aussie made, American set dramady about a family besieged by tragedy and accidents. It flopped on release despite some nice marketing and don't see it having much success here.
Possible Nominations: Actress (Geena Davis), Young Actor (Harrison Gilbertson and/or Harry Cook) and maybe a tech nod or two.

Animal Kingdom
Dir. David Michôd
In my year in preview column I called David Michôd's debut crime saga a "300lb gorilla of sorts from early word" and I was right. It's the most discussed Aussie film of the year here at Stale Popcorn (even if it's not my personal favourite) and is about to be released in America to, surely, much critical acclaim. I don't think anybody is under any illusion that Animal Kingdom won't win a tonne of AFI statues. My review.
Possible Nominations: Film, Direction (Michôd), Actor (Ben Mendelsohn), Actress (Jacki Weaver - the AFI have this thing where they upgrade the most prominent of each gender to lead roles. Weaver belongs in Supporting Actress, but she'll win Actress in a cake walk), Supporting Actor (Joel Edgerton and/or Guy Pearce and/or Sullivan Stapleton), Supporting Actress (Laura Wheelwright), Young Actor (James Frencheville), Original Screenplay (Michôd), Editing (Luke Doolan), Cinematography (Adam Arkapaw), Production Design (Jo Ford), Original Music (Antony Partos) and Sound.

Beneath Hill 60
Dir. Jeremy Sims
Australian filmmakers have finally cottoned on that local audiences might actually like to see movies about our history. Hence more war films arriving as of late such as this one, set during WWI when Australian diggers were responsible for a sneak attack underneath enemy forces.
Possible Nominations: Film, Direction (Sims), Actor (Brendan Cowell), Supporting Actor (Gyton Grantley), Young Actor (Harrison Gilbertson), Original Screenplay (David Roach), Editing (Dany Cooper), Cinematography (Toby Oliver), Production Design (Clayton Jauncy), Costume Design (Ian Sparke), Original Score (Cezary Skubiszewski) and Sound.

Blame
Dir. Michael Henry
A thriller starring Sophie Lowe, Kestie Morassi, Simon Stone, Damian de Montemas and Mark Leonard Winter, of whom I am a big fan right now, that has so far only screened at MIFF.
Possible Nominations: Could snag a Supporting Actress nod for Lowe, but other than that I wouldn't place any bets. If anybody saw this at MIFF and thinks it could snag something do pipe up in the comments.

The Boys are Back
Dir. Scott Hicks
I was surprised by this film about a man whose wife dies and who much now pick up his weight in the parenting department. I wasn't expecting to like it, but I did very much. Perhaps my aversion to deeply obvious sentimentality is weakening. It could make it into the top categories of Best Film and Best Direction, but I don't think there will be enough support for it when there's more exciting fare to be had.
Possible Nominations: Film, Direction (Hicks), Actor (Clive Owen), Supporting Actress (Julia Blake), Young Actor (Nicholas McAnulty), Adapted Screenplay (Alan Cubbitt) and Cinematography (Greig Fraser).

Bran Nue Dae
Dir. Rachel Perkins
This indigenous musical is, so far, the highest grossing local hit of the year (and I do mean hit) and I can't see why the the AFI wouldn't reward it accordingly with a swag of nominations. Is it too much to ask for a live performance on the night? My review.
Possible Nominations: Film, Direction (Perkins), Actor (Ernie Dingo), Supporting Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Young Actor (Rocky McKenzie), Adapted Screenplay (Reg Cribb, Rachel Perkins, Jimmy Chi), Editing (Rochelle Oshlack), Cinematography (Andrew Lesnie), Production Design (Felicity Abbott), Costume Design (Margot Wilson) and Sound.

Bright Star
Dir. Jane Campion
I hope the AFI organisation don't bestow a similar fate upon Jane Campion's gorgeous and beautiful Bright Star that almost every other awards body around the globe seems to have. I'm pulling for an Abbie Cornish win so she can stick it to those who don't take too kindly to tall poppies.
Possible Nominations: Film, Direction (Campion), Actress (Abbie Cornish), Actor (Ben Whishaw), Supporting Actor (Paul Shneider), Supporting Actress (Kerry Fox), Young Actor (Edie Martin) Editing (Alexandre de Franceschi), Cinematography (Grieg Fraser), Production Design (Janet Patterson), Costume Design (Janet Patterson) and Original Music (Mark Bradshaw).

Daybreakers
Dir. Michael & Peter Spierig
This locally produced vampire flick did decent business here and overseas, but being a horror flick (and being a horror flick without arthouse gloss) it won't get much attention from the AFI.
Possible Nominations: Production Design (George Liddle), Original Music (Christopher Gordon), Visual Effects and Sound.

The Horseman
Dir. Steven Kastrissios
I was surprised to see that this gripping revenge tale was eligible and am glad it's here. I doubt many of the AFI voters will actually go along to the special screenings of it since, let's face it, they know what they like, but if they do I hope, hope, hope they take notice of Peter Marshall's extraordinary performance. My Review.
Possible Nominations: Er... Actor (Peter Marshall)? Unlikely, but I'll hold out hope.

I Love You Too
Dir. Daina Reed
Another movie that surprised me immensely. Yes, it's a standard romantic comedy with all the usual boxes checked along the way, but I really warmed to this movie. Brendan Cowell does not a romantic lead make, but those surrounding him (especially Peter Dinklage) are more than up to the challenge.
Possible Nominations: Actress (Yvonne Strahovski), Supporting Actor (Peter Dinklage), Original Screenplay (Peter Hellier) and Original Music (David Hirschfelder).

Lou
Dir. Belinda Chayko
Very small movie - what would you expect from Kojo? - about a family that takes in a elder family member with Alzheimer's Disease that didn't do well at the box office - what would you expect when it's up against movies like Animal Kingdom for arthouse dollars. I can't see it showing up anywhere apart from Young Actor, but you never know.
Possible Nominations: Actor (John Hurt), Young Actor (Lilly Bell-Tindley) and Cinematography (Hugh Miller).

The Loved Ones
Dir. Sean Byrne
Behind only Animal Kingdom in the buzz stakes, this violent, horrific twist on the teen romance genre is sick and twisted and, surprisingly, a lot of fun. It's grotesque and basically the final half hour of the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre dragged out to feature length and covered in a hot pink dress, but it's an experience that's for sure! Could surprise in the same way that Wolf Creek did in 2005, although this year has much stronger competition so perhaps the AFI members won't feel necessary to go down this path. If nothing else, I just hope Robin McLeavy can get a Best Actress nomination since she is absolutely phenomenal!
Possible Nominations: Film, Direction (Byrne), Actress (Robin McLeavy), Original Screenplay (Sean Byrne), Editing (Andy Canny), Cinematography (Simon Chapman), Production Design (Robert Webb), Costume Design (Xanthe Heubel) and Sound.

Matching Jack
Dir. Nadia Tass
This feels like it is going to be a chore to sit through, but sit through it I shall. Nadia Tass has provided some great Aussie cinema in her time (Malcolm, The Big Steal, Amy) but this tale of a mother trying to find a doner for her sick son feels laborious.
Possible Nominations: Actor (James Nesbitt), Actress (Jacinda Barrett), Supporting Actor/Young Actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Supporting Actor (Richard Roxburgh), Supporting Actress (Yvonne Strahovski), Original Screenplay (Lynn Renew and David Parker) and Original Music (Paul Grabowski).

Mother Fish
Dir. Khao Do
Oh no! Not another Khao Do film!! Save me now. Let me guess, this one deals with yet another part of Do's childhood? And let me guess again, this time he's filmed the entire thing through the slit between two planks of wood on a refugee boat?
Possible Nominations: I don't care.


Subdivision
Dir. Sue Brooks
We seem to have hit a rough patch here, haven't we? Sue Brooks made the fantastic Japanese Story, but this real estate comedy (yes, you read correctly - REAL ESTATE COMEDY) looks dire. It flopped upon initial release last year and is now being re-released, which is very rare, so good on 'em for sticking with it.
Possible Nominations: None. I can't see this going anywhere.

Tomorrow, When the War Began
Dir. Stuart Beattie
Director Stuart Beattie (screenwriter on Australia, Collateral and the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy amongst others) sure is diving into the deep end with his first film, an adaptation of the wildly popular Tomorrow series of books. It's like Red Dawn, but set in Australia. Cue explosions and pretty young local castmembers.
Possible Nominations: Film, Direction (Beattie), Actress (Caitlin Stasey), Adapted Screenplay (Beattie), Editing (Marcus D'Arcy), Cinematography (Ben Nott), Production Design (Robert Webb), Original Music (Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek), Visual Effects and Sound.

The Tree
Dir. Julie Bertucelli
This Australian/French co-production was the closing night film at Cannes - quite prestigious - and has played both Sydney and Melbourne film festivals. It stars Charlotte Gainsbourg in the Aussie countryside whose children think their dead father's spirit has taken up residency is the giant tree on their property. Naturally. I feel this could go the way of last year's Disgrace and get nothing. We shall see.
Possible Nominations: Film, Actress (Charlotte Gainsbourg), Supporting Actor (Marton Csokas), Young Actor (Morgana Davies), Adapted Screenplay (Julie Bertucelli), Cinematography (Nigel Bluck), Production Design (Steven Jones-Evans), Original Music (Gregoire Hetzel) and Sound.

The Tumbler
Dir. Marc Gracie
The one film in the lineup that I had never heard of before. Since it's production date on IMDb is 2008, I doubt it'll be very good. Every year there's one or two of these sort of unknown titles and they're almost always atrocious.
Possible Nominations: None.

The Waiting City
Dir. Claire McCarthy
A couple are forced to re-evaluate their lives when political paper-pushing stalls their adoption. I really liked this movie, neck and neck with Animal Kingdom at the moment for favourite Aussie film of the year (after The Horseman though) and I hope it does well. My review.
Possible Nominations: Film, Direction (McCarthy), Actor (Joel Edgerton), Actress (Radha Mitchell), Original Screenplay (McCarthy), Editing (Veronika Jenet), Cinematography (Denson Baker), Costume Design (Justine Seymour) and Original Music (Michael Yezerski).

And that's that. Curiously, a couple of films that would have easily qualified - South Solitary and The Kings of Mykonos: The Wog Boy 2 - weren't entered. Particularly odd for the former because it probably could have picked up a Costume Design nomination and maybe even a Best Actress nomination if enough AFI members like it (I did not). Considering The Horseman qualified I can only imagine movies such as Triangle and Savages Crossing weren't entered. Meanwhile I'm sure My Tehran For Sale, Playing for Charlie, Girl Clock! and The Marriage of Figaro were kept out by not playing the required cities for eligibility, which is a shame because we've had no way of seeing some of those titles around here.

We'll find out who's nominated in October. I can't wait!