Far be it from me to skeptical of a major Australian news publication actually having something positive to say about the Australian film industry, but... well, I'm skeptical. Anybody who has followed these sort of things would know that most Australian media writers like to use the Aussie film industry as one it's prime whipping boys; the moment a film disappoints at the box office it's because the industry isn't making movies Australians actually want to see. So on and on and it gets very tiresome. So, yes, I was skeptical to read this article at the Sydney Morning Herald, but was pleasantly surprised.
All 12 titles mentioned were featured in my Australian Films of 2011 list from a few weeks back. There's a nice cross-section, too. I can already attest to Ivan Sen's Dreamland, but it's uber-artiness makes it's inclusion in such a list makes me smile. Many of the other titles show promise. Movies like Happy Feet 2, The Eye of the Storm and Griff the Invisible could be box office heavyweights; The Reef and Wasted on the Young (the new trailer to which I've included below - love the very end with the winking smiley face) could be solid genre pieces; Mad Bastards and Here I Am look to continue to formidable reputation of indigenous cinema and Mrs Carey's Concert could prove to be a break out documentary.
Of course, there are the prerequisite trolls that come with such an article in the comment section. How about these doozies of idiocy?
I read this list for a laugh, as "must see" and "Australian film" are rarely used in the same sentence by any tax payer, or anyone who actually goes to see an Australian film. More likely they say, "I saw a film last night that was rubbish, but I noticed it was financed by the Australian government".
Why dont film makers make films that a larger audience would like to see, instead of these art house failures that go straight to DVD if they are lucky.
how about we have an aussie movie that isn't about the aboriginals? or an aussie movie that isn't about the hardship of the land? honestly, if aussie movies weren't depressing or pandering to the left wing tree-huggers out there, people might actually go out to see them on the big screen.
But what can you expect? They make my blood boil for several minutes and then I promptly remember they're dimwitted idiots without a clue as to what they're talking about and move on. I guess all the people who routinely complain about movies "larger audience(s) would like to see" conveniently forgot all about Tomorrow When the War Began, Bran Nue Dae, Mao's Last Dancer, Animal Kingdom, The Kings of Mykonos: The Wog Boy 2 or Sanctum 3D that has been released just this weekend. They're the same sort of people who think it's good journalism to not even do research for a column on Australian cinema. They'll never disappear until every single movie we make is aimed at the same sort of multiplex zombies who made Little Fockers one of the biggest hits of the Christmas season.
Just like I've done in 2009 and 2010 prior, I'm here to have a look at the Australian films that audiences will hopefully get the chance to set their eyes upon in 2011.
As always, local distribution can leave many films in limbo.
As always, local productions can tend to be a lot longer.
As always, local films will go direct-to-DVD, incredibly limited, festival only or just never get released. You'll hear of a lot of these titles next year, too.
As always, local productions that I never knew existed will suddenly appear. I mean, can you believe in last year's roundup I didn't even include Joffa: The Movie? Say it ain't so!
As always, take this list with a grain of salt. Not all of these films will be 2011 releases - whether that be because they're not finished or because the distribution just won't occur until then. There are many films on this list that were on here last year, too, and they'll appear next year as well I am sure since, as I've made it quite clear, Australian distribution can be a tricky thing to work your head around. For every Bran Nue Dae that seems to get funded, made and released all quite easily, there is a title like Ektopos that I hear about for years and was seemingly made and yet has vanished into thin air.
Some titles, such as Mark Lewis' Cane Toads: The Conquest, Bill Bennett's Uninhabited, Josh Reed's Primal, Daley Pearson and Luke Tierney's $quid: The Movie and James Rabbitts' The Clinic that I've all mentioned in previous years will, I doubt, ever get a theatrical release outside of the film festivals they have already appeared at before, at one point or another, appearing on DVD. It's a shame, but with such a large roster of local films (and it is large when you consider that it equals at least one every two weeks) it is inevitable. And then there's product like In Her Skin, which is sad and will probably never be seen due to legal wranglings. I'm not even going to mention Wolf Creek 2, The Sapphires, Lore or A Few Best Men, which have no hope of coming out this year.
Shall we take a look at what 2011 has in store for us?
A Heartbeat Away (dir. Gale Edwards) A young musician must become the leader of marching bad after his father dies four weeks out from a big competition. I can almost see the quotes on the movie poster: "Inspiring", "Joyful hymn to life!" (er, let's not compare to Slumdog Millionaire, okay?) and so forth. It stars Sebastian Gregory, Isabel Lucas, William Zappa, Kerry Walker, Colin Friels and Roy Billing, plus it's bound to have some nice musical sequences (well, we should hope so, anyway), so maybe I should put my cynicism aside. A Heartbeat Away on IMDb
Bait in 3D (dir. Russell Mulcahy & Kimble Rendall The first of two killer shark movies on this list, although this one could very possibly be moved to 2012. It has a cast of full of recognisable names and faces like Xavier Samuel (Twilight: Eclipse), Sharni Vinson (Step Up 3D), Lincoln Lewis (Tomorrow When the War Began), Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck), Fiona Tonkin (Tomorrow When the War Began), Martin Sacks (Underbelly: The Golden Mile) and Dan Wyllie (Animal Kingdom) as well as a pack of pesky sharks in all their 3D glory after a tsunami traps a group of Gold Coast tourists in a shopping mall. It sounds like a hoot! The film's Facebook page has been great at keeping up with behind-the-scenes footage, images and TV appearances. I personally like this video I found that includes storyboards and test footage, which gives us a good look at what we can expect. Bait on IMDb Bait on Facebook
Big Mamma's Boy (dir. Franco di Chiera) I had completely forgotten about this title, but then when my eyes glanced upon it I remembered: "THIS IS THE HOLLY VALANCE MOVIE!!!" The poster - which I'm not even going to show you it's that awful - looks so blatantly direct-to-DVD and yet, bless 'em for trying, it boldly states "IN CINEMAS 2011". Good luck with that.
**Edit: Turns out this is a legitimate movie getting a legitimate release through a legitimate distributor and legitimate people have legitimately seen it. Okay then. Apparently set for release in June.** Big Mamma's Boy on IMDb Big Mamma's Boy on Facebook Big Mamma's Boy on Twitter
Blame (dir. Michael Henry) Was supposed to get a release last year, but was scrapped until - as its Facebook page says - early 2011. Stars Kestie Morassi, Sophie Lowe, Damian de Montemas, Simon Stone and Mark Leonard Winter. Got polite notices at Melbourne and Chicago film festivals last year. Blame on IMDb Blame on Facebook
Burning Man (dir. Jonathan Teplitzky) Just a hunch, but I have a feeling that Jonathan Teplitzky's first film since the ace Gettin' Square in 2003 could be a real king hit of a movie. It certainly helps with the cast that he has amassed; Matthew Goode, Rachel Griffiths, Bojana Novakovic, Essie Davis, Kerry Fox, Anthony Hayes, Kate Beahan and Gia Carides. The buzz has been building before the film's Sundance and Sydney Film Festival screenings for this "reckless, sexy, provocative and ultimately tear-jerking father and son tale." Australia/UK co-production. Burning Man on IMDb
Caught Inside (dir. Adam Blaiklock) I went searching for titles and I came across this one, which I'd forgot about since it won the IF "Independent Spirit" award. So, welcome to the list, Caught Inside. You star Ben Oxenbould, Harry Cook (who I liked in Accidents Happen last year), Peter Phelps and Leeanna Walsman. Caught Inside on IMDb Caught Inside on Facebook Caught Insideofficial website
The Cup (dir. Simon Wincer) "From the director of Free Willy" reads the poster. Whether "From the director Harlequin" was considered is unknown to me. Either way, Simon Wincer's The Cup is surely aiming to be one of the big box office hitters of 2011. With a cast that includes Stephen Curry as the famed jockey Damien Oliver, plus Daniel McPherson, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Burlinson (who hasn't acted in 15 years), Alice Parkinson, Kate Bell, Bill Hunter, Martin Sacks, Jodi Gordon, Rodger Corser and Shaun Micallef. That's quite an enviable ensemble, you've got to admit. I imagine this film will come our way around October when the Spring Racing Carnival amps up, peaking on the first Tuesday of November with the Melbourne Cup.
Sports movies are a genre that I've always felt Australian cinema has underestimated, so it's good to see one like this. Let's hope it's good and that audiences go. The Cup on IMDb
The Dark Lurking (dir. Gregory Connors) The be perfectly honest with you, this Doom meets Alien (ish) local sci-fi horror flick looks dreadful. It was filmed in Queensland, but looks like a basement anywhere. It has already received an American DVD release and, I suppose, will get one down here too at some point. The Dark Lurking on IMDb The Dark Lurking on Facebook The Dark Lurking on Twitter The Dark Lurkingofficial website
Dreamland (dir. Ivan Sen) I am already a massive fan of Ivan Sen's experimental soundscape art film and I so hope it receives a release of some kind. And a cinematic release at that since it is a film that needs to be experienced on a big screen. I read that it's screening in Melbourne in February as a part of a festival, but I can't remember what it was exactly. Gah! The film's producer mentioned at MIFF that Sen had another film all ready to go, but there's nothing out there about it so we'll leave that one for now. Dreamland on IMDb Dreamland on Facebook Dreamland on Twitter Dreamlandofficial website
Eliminated! (dir. Dee McLachlan) Local "terrorist comedy" from the director of buzzy 2007 arthouse hit The Jammed. There are stunts and explosions and action and who knows what else. I hope to see it pop up at some point this year since it filmed in 2009. Eliminated! on IMDb Eliminated! on Twitter
Exit (dir. Marek Polgar) I confess to not knowing much about Exit other than it exists and that it's written by awesome Melbourne filmy type @Martyn Pedler. Exit on Facebook Exitofficial website
The Eye of the Storm (dir. Fred Schepisi) A local film from Fred Schepisi, starring Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis and Charlotte Rampling. I signed up long ago and I reckon this could be a solid mid-range hit if older audiences catch on to it. It's being distributed by Transmission Films so I have no doubt they'll work their magic with it. The Eye of the Storm on IMDb
Griff the Invisible (dir. Leon Ford) Definitely one that we've been anticipating around these parts is this local sorta-noir, sorta-romcom, sorta-superhero movie starring Ryan Kwanten, Maeve Dermody and ASHKA!!!! ...I mean Heather Mitchell. If we have to have yet more superhero movies then why not have them a little bit more niche and unconventional, yeah? Griff will be screening at Berlinale and has already had some special screenings here in Australia so there's a few reactions out there. It's set for a March release, so not long to wait yet. Griff the Invisible on IMDb Griff the Invisible on Facebook Griff the Invisible on Twitter Griff the Invisibleofficial website
Hail (dir. Amiel Courtin-Wilson) A blending of documentary and drama from the director of Bastardy. There was an open call casting session for this a while back I remember hearing about. It will screen at this year's Bigpond Adelaide Film Festival. Hail on IMDb Hail on Facebook Hailofficial website
Happy Feet 2 in 3D (dir. George Miller) The sequel to George Miller's tapdancing penguin Oscar winner from 2006 will arrive in November 2011 to the delight of children and the chagrin of anyone who hates the thought of tapdancing penguins. I enjoyed the first one a lot, so I'm looking forward to it. It appears most of the cast is returning, although Brittany Murphy will sadly not. Sofia Vergara is on the cast list too, which means more Spanish penguins! ...okay then. Matt Damon and Brad Pitt are also on the list of voice talent so you can expect to hear a lot about Happy Feet 2. Happy Feet 2 in 3D on IMDb
Here I Am (dir. Beck Cole) One of the titles I am most intrigued is this film about an imprisoned Aboriginal woman trying to deal with life on the outside. It sounds tough, but so was Samson & Delilah, ya know? Speaking of that breakthrough film from 2009, Beck Cole was the director of Making Samson & Delilah, the behind the scenes documentary that screened at MIFF and on ABC Television. It's produced by the same producer (Kath Shelper) and cinematography is by Warwick Thornton. Could be a big breakthrough for both Cole and her star, Shai Pittman. Will premiere at BAFF. Here I Am on IMDb
The Hunter (dir. Daniel Nettheim) Tasmanian Tigers return in this film starring Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill, Frances O'Connor, Sullivan Stapleton, Jacek Koman, Dan Wyllie and young Morgana Davies from The Tree. One of the cutest moments from the recently AFI Awards was seeing Morgana cheering wildly from the audience when Dafoe walked out on stage to present an award. The Hunter on IMDb The Hunterofficial website
Jucy (dir. Louise Alston) I was a big fan of Alston's last film, All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane, and her next is another comedy. Screened at Toronto International Film Festival and should pop up at some point down here in 2011. Considering Brisbane was so good and could barely mustre any release of any kind outside of its home state makes me, shall we say, cautious that Jucy will receive anything other than a similar fate, which is a bit sad. The people who've seen it seem to really like it, so... Jucy on IMDb Jucy on Facebook Jucy on Twitter Jucyofficial website
The Killer Elite (dir. Gary McKendry) The Australian media have already claimed it as "our" movie, so why not throw it on here? Besides all the big Hollywood names (Robert DeNiro, Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Jason Statham's Abs) there is a whole swag of talented local actors like Ben Mendselsohn, Yvonne Strahovski, Michael Dorman, Firass Dirani, Lachy Hulme and Grant Bowler. The Killer Elite on IMDb
Life in Movement (dir. Sophie Hyde & Bryan Mason) Documentary about dancer/choreographer Tanja Liedtke. Life in Movement on IMDb Life in Movement on Facebook
Little Johnny: The Movie (dir. Ralph Moser) Oh my lord, what is this? "You've Heard The Jokes - Now Meet the Legend" - I am officially terrified. Will screen on - wait for it - April Fools Day at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival before... some other sort of release? Who knows. Wow. Little Johnny: The Movie on IMDb Little Johnny: The Movie on Facebook Little Johnny: The Movie on Twitter Little Johnny: The Movieofficial website
Mad Bastards (dir. Brendan Fletcher) Another film - alongside Here I Am - that looks at the indigenous cultures of Australia. This time it sounds a bit more upbeat with music and comedy thrown into the tale of a "an urban street warrior who meets his match in the form of a local police officer." Mad Bastards on IMDb Mad Bastards on Facebook Mad Bastardsofficial website
Mei Mei (dir. Pauline Chan) I hadn't heard of this film, but it stars Guy Pearce, Claudia Karvan, Rhys Muldoon and Lincoln Lewis so I better mention it. Mei Mei on IMDb
Moonlite (dir. Rohan Spong) I recall Rohan Spong's acclaimed documentary, T is for Teacher, as I read about Moonlite and can't quite see how he got from there to here (apart from the queer element), but isn't that the magic of cinema? This - and I quote - "graphic noval style depiction of the life and times of queer Australian bushranger Captain Moonlite" was filmed in green screen and stars various names like Tasma Walton, Ian Roberts and Barry Crocker. Even if it fails, it certainly sounds like it will be a fascinating failure. This isn't exactly the usual type of Australian film, yeah? Moonlite on IMDb Moonlite on Facebook Moonlite on Twitter Moonliteofficial website
Mrs Carey's Concert (dir. Bob Connolly & Sophie Raymond) Music documentary, screening at BAFF, that's noteworthy for Bob Connolly's name. He of Oscar-nominated First Contact as well as Rats in the Ranks and Facing the Music. Tells the story of Mrs Carey, a school music director who puts on a concert at the Sydney Opera House with all 1200 of her school's students. Mrs Carey's Concert on IMDb Mrs Carey's Concert on Facebook Mrs Carey's Concertofficial website
Needle (dir. John V Soto) To put it kindly, I was not a fan of Soto's last stab (oh haha!) at horror, Crush. His latest - this time going it alone - is Needle, which has been creating a bit of buzz on the horror sites. Not really enough to get me excited, but I'm intrigued by its cast that includes recent AFI winner for Animal Kingdom, Ben Mendelsohn, as well as Jessica Marais, Michael Dorman, Luke Carroll and John Jarratt. Needle on IMDb Needle on Facebook Needle on Twitter Needleofficial website
Oranges and Sunshine (dir. Jim Loach) A film by Ken Loach's son, this UK/Australia co-production stars Emily Watson, David Wenham, Hugo Weaving and Tara Morice. It sounds a bit like Romulus My Father, as it deals with immigrants, but that's probably where the similarities end. It was filmed in Adelaide and will be released in April. Hey, if it's marketed as British then maybe people will go and see it! Below is a video of Loach and Watson at the Rome Film Festival. Oranges and Sunshine on IMDb Oranges and Sunshine on Facebook
Red Dog (dir. Kriv Stenders) An adaptation of Louis de Bernieres' best-selling novel that I can see being quite successful is done well. Kriv Stenders is a director whose films I can be very hot or very cold on (Lucky Country, Illustrated Family Doctor for examples, respectively), and I hope he does good work here. Acting in it will be Josh Lucas, Rachael Taylor, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Luke Ford and Noah Taylor (where has he been lately?) People love movies about animals, don't they?
I dare you to watch the "screen test" of Koko, the dog hired to play "Red Dog". It's great! Trust me! You'll be "awww"-ing all the way through. Red Dog at IMDb Red Dogofficial website
The Reef (dir. Andrew Traucki) I feel like I have been talking about this movie for years. And that's because I have! It's finally set for a March release (conveniently at the end of summer? hmmm) and I can't wait. As much fun as I expect Bait to be, my experience with Andrew Traucki is that he makes bonza fright flicks. If you've never seen it I suggest you get your hands on a copy of Black Water immediately. The Reef is already out in some countries, including on DVD, so keep a look out. The Reef on IMDb The Reef on Facebook The Reef on Twitter
Sanctum (dir. Alister Grierson) A co-production between USA and Australia, "James Cameron's Sanctum" (as the poster calls it) is everything you'd expect a James Cameron movie to be, except not directed by James Cameron or made on a James Cameron budget. There's water (a lot of it, it's set in underwater caves), there's 3D and there's action. Some people weren't too impressed by the trailer, mostly because the dialogue and the acting looks quite direct-to-DVD, but I think it looks quite good if nothing else. I'm not sure how Alister Grierson got the job - his last movie was Kokoda - but it's hardly James Cameron's mission to hire dodgy directors to make his movies, is it? Stars Richard Roxburgh, Rhys Wakefield, Ioan Gruffudd, Dan Wyllie and Alice Parkinson. Sanctum on IMDb Sanctum on Facebook Sanctumofficial website
Say Nothing (dir. Keiren Darcy-Smith) Say Nothing is the feature directorial debut for Keiren Darcy-Smith (so good in films The Square and September amongst others) and stars Joel Edgerton and Teresa Palmer. It's the story about four friends who go on a holiday to South East Asia and only three return. It's a thriller and started filming in December. Almost certainly a 2011 release, but if I didn't include it how could I include this image? Say Nothing on IMDb Say Nothing on on Facebook Say Nothingon Twitter
Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure (dir. Matthew Bate) A documentary about "two Gen X slackers" who record a neighbour's quarrel that ends up going viral on the internet. Could be fascinating. Screens at BAFF. Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure on IMDb Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure on Facebook Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventureofficial website
Snowtown (dir. Justin Kurzel) Feature film dramatisation of the events that surrounded the famous "bodies in the barrels" serial killings in South Australia between 1992 and 1999. Could be something really special, although the unknown director and unknown actors suggest it will be minor is other aspects. The teaser looked like a bizarre and disturbing, but we'll wait and see. Will be one of the big premiers at BAFF since it's the story's home state. Will be released in May. Snowtown on IMDb Snowtown on Facebook
The Tall Man (dir. Tony Krawitz) The director of JewBoy directs this documentary about the death in custody of Cameron Doomadgee at Palm Island.
The Tunnel (dir. Carlos Ledesma) a groundbreaking production in that they raised their budget by asking regular, ordinary folks to purchase frames of film for $1 (or, a second of film for $50 and so forth), which is a very nifty idea. Furthermore, The Tunnel will skip theatrical release and DVD and will, instead, premiere on torrent services. It's been one of the most fascinating productions to follow and I look forward to the movie, especially since the trailer makes it look like it's got its wearing its Blair Witch Project / [rec] inspirations with pride.
Wasted on the Young One of the earliest Australian releases of the year will be the tough teen drama that screened to high praise and high scorn at festivals such as Toronto and Sydney. I'm definitely intrigued by it, that's for sure, and it will be interesting to see how Paramount markets it. Wasted on the Young on IMDb Wasted on the Young on Facebook Wasted on the Youngofficial website
Wrath (dir. Jonathan Neil Dixon) Another one I was completely unaware of, but it seems to have been made. Appears to be a thriller set in the outback. 'cause, ya know, there aren't enough of those. They say "mid 2011". I see Prey fortunes for this one, unfortunately. Wrath on IMDb Wrath on Facebook Wrathofficial website
X (dir. Jon Hewitt) The director of Acolytes and Bloodlust is always bound to get people talking, and with his latest film being touted as a chase thriller about call girls you can bet X will be no different. I love the poster, although the NSFW teaser trailer left a bad taste in my mouth (oh, gross - can we forget I typed that?) Due to its subject matter it will be another title that will definitely be worth following. X on IMDb
If you have any other titles that you know about - if you're involved in any yourself and can confirm release dates/timelines, too - then feel free to speak up in the comments section.
I have discussed Andrew Trauki's upcoming oceanic thriller The Reefquite a bit already, but we hadn't actually seen any footage. It's pedigree - coming from one of the directors' of modern almost-classic Black Water - is enough to spike my interest. It stars Damien Walsh-Howling, Gyton Grantley, Zoe Naylor, Adrienne Pickering and Kieren Darcy-Smith. Now, via Inside Film comes this trailer. It's actually a sales trailer for distributors at the recent Cannes market, but it's footage nonetheless.
It looks good. I didn't care for Open Water, a movie that this movie obviously shares much in common with, but unlike that snoozer The Reef actually looks like it has things such as "thrills", "frights" and "drama". Black Water was so very good though that I'm sure I wouldn't care what they put up in the trailer.
For all the talk about the Australian film industry being in dire straits and its only foreseeable saviour being genre cinema, we seem to be doing a bloody good job of botching it up. Ever since Greg McLean's Wolf Creek debuted at #1 at the box office and became one of the biggest hits of the decade, Australian film commentators have harped on endlessly about how we need to make more horror/thriller titles because, so we're lead to believe, that's what audiences want. Not grungy dramas about drug addicts (well, nobody wants those either). But, yes, despite all this commentary back-and-forth on the topic there has been an almost comical amount of horror flops littering the limited release circuit of Australian cinemas.
The latest to join the list is Christopher Smith's Triangle. Released in October of 2009 in the UK - it was an Australian/UK co-production - it only just received the barest of releases here and has promptly vanished without a trace, barely scraping past $10,000 at the local box office. All of that on the back of actual good reviews, too, which may have given its local distributor faith if it hadn't have already flopped in the UK. Still, it's hard to believe that they couldn't do something to turn its hometown fortunes around.
Good reviews certainly didn't help the incredible Black Water from directors Andrew Traucki and David Nerlich in 2008, nor did they help 2009's Lake Mungo. These two plus Triangle have Rotten Tomatoes scores of 81%, 80% and 91% respectively (no Metacritic scores exist for any, unfortunately) but grossed only $111,000, $90,000 and $10,000 accordingly. I'm not exactly sure what happened that gave distributors and exhibitors such little faith in them. Lake Mungo came before the superficially similar Paranormal Activity, and was a better film, too. Black Water, a hit in the Northern Territory but not even released elsewhere, was unfortunate to come on the heels of under-performing Rogue, Greg McLean's similar big killer crocodile movie that was his follow-up to Wolf Creek. It's not even that they came from tiny distributors and, thus, couldn't afford marketing. Black Water even had a massive crocodile blimp stunt!
Mere weeks after the Triangle debacle comes another off-the-radar horror title somehow hoping to ensnare audiences in its trap. John Jarratt, "Mick Taylor" in Wolf Creek, writes and stars in Savages Crossing, which is working its way around 12 national screens (thankfully, it is screening in Sorrento so let's all breathe a sigh of relief for our coastal buddies). I have not seen the film from director Kevin James Dobson (a man with an eclectic filmography to say the least), but almost everybody who has seems to believe it's one of the worst movies ever made in this country. The trailer, below, backs up this train of thought.
And yes, that is the actual movie poster for Savages Crossing.
It's hard to imagine that this will reverse the fortunes of other films such as Prey and Crush (three and one screen releases respectively, the former of which couldn't even pass $1000 at the box office!). Of course, there is the belief amongst some that all of the "ozploitation" titles - the films from the 1980s that satiated Aussie audiences' need for violence with (mostly) local talent - were big hits, which is just not the case. Brian Trenchard-Smith's Dead-End Drive In, one of the most acclaimed of the genre, played to empty cinemas on opening weekend in 1986.
Upcoming horror/thriller titles include The Reef and Bait 3D, both of which I have discussed before and Uninhabited about a couple on a deserted island that turns out to be anything but (trailer below). Sean Byrne's The Loved Ones is certainly poised to breakout, but things rarely go according to plan in the Australian film industry, whilst Needle (trailer below), Primal and Road Train could have success if handled right, but at least in regards to the first two there it doesn't look likely.
I'm sure a few of the titles up there will go direct-to-DVD just like No Through Road, Storage and Storm Warning. Spare a thought for Jamie Blanks' Long Weekend remake, which hasn't received a release of any kind whatsoever despite starring Jim Caviezel and Claudia Karvan. Or better yet, don't.
Speaking of Karvan, earlier this year we got Daybreakers from the directors of another little seen horror film, Undead. It made a respectable $2.5mil at the local box office on the back of its international campaign (so not so much negative cost, which is what hurts the small local films). It will be interesting to see how the films coming out this year and next can use the upswing of audiences for Australian movies to their advantage or if they will suffer the same fate as the rest. And if they don't will people keep making them? The likes of Tony Ginnane can hardly keep demanding Screen Australia fund them when they prove to be just as financially nonviable as movies like Accidents Happen or Blessed, which was the crux of the argument in the first place. This being an Australian funding body we all know they're rather crank out 17 movies just like Last Ride if they could.
"The Clinic"
I don't have an answer for the problem, I'm merely throwing it out there. I haven't got all the figures on hand, obviously, so I don't know how much (if any) money these independent production companies are making off of DVD sales both here and internationally. DVD sales and rental figures are scarcely made available (or I'm just not looking in the correct places.) Perhaps it's not as dire a situation as I am painting it, but it can hardly be all rose petals and rainbows. It does lead me to question why money (taxpayer or otherwise) isn't being put into the musical genre since that is one genre audiences here obviously love unequivocally. From The Adventures of Priscilla to Bran Nue Dae and Mao's Last Dancer ($7.5mil and $15mil grosses respectively in the past year), there is clearly a bigger demand for them.
Let's see how the rest of 2010 holds up and we'll see where we're at come December. I hope to be able to report better news.
All 12 titles mentioned were featured in my Australian Films of 2011 list from a few weeks back. There's a nice cross-section, too. I can already attest to Ivan Sen's Dreamland, but it's uber-artiness makes it's inclusion in such a list makes me smile. Many of the other titles show promise. Movies like Happy Feet 2, The Eye of the Storm and Griff the Invisible could be box office heavyweights; The Reef and Wasted on the Young (the new trailer to which I've included below - love the very end with the winking smiley face) could be solid genre pieces; Mad Bastards and Here I Am look to continue to formidable reputation of indigenous cinema and Mrs Carey's Concert could prove to be a break out documentary.
But what can you expect? They make my blood boil for several minutes and then I promptly remember they're dimwitted idiots without a clue as to what they're talking about and move on. I guess all the people who routinely complain about movies "larger audience(s) would like to see" conveniently forgot all about Tomorrow When the War Began, Bran Nue Dae, Mao's Last Dancer, Animal Kingdom, The Kings of Mykonos: The Wog Boy 2 or Sanctum 3D that has been released just this weekend. They're the same sort of people who think it's good journalism to not even do research for a column on Australian cinema. They'll never disappear until every single movie we make is aimed at the same sort of multiplex zombies who made Little Fockers one of the biggest hits of the Christmas season.
