Presents
DAVIDSTRATTON:ACINEMATICLIFE
DirectedbySALLYAITKEN/IncinemasMARCH9,2017
FeaturingDAVIDSTRATTON,GILLIANARMSTRONG,ERICBANA,BRYANBROWN,RUSSELL
CROWE,NICOLEKIDMAN,GEORGEMILLER,SAMNEILL,GEOFFREYRUSH,FREDSCHEPISI,
WARWICKTHORNTON,JACKIWEAVERandHUGOWEAVING
PUBLICITYREQUESTS:
TransmissionFilms/AmyBurgess/+61283339000/[email protected]
IMAGES
HighresimagesandposteravailabletodownloadviatheDOWNLOADMEDIAtabat:
http://www.transmissionfilms.com.au/films/david-stratton-a-cinematic-life
DistributedinAustraliabyTransmissionFilms
ScreenAustraliaTheAustralianBroadcastingCorporation
andScreenNSW
inassociationwiththeAdelaideFilmFestivalpresent
AStrangerThanFictionProduction
DavidStratton’sACINEMATICLIFEHowaloveaffairwithAustraliancinemaledonemantounderstandhimselfand
hisadoptedcountry
Writer/director:SallyAitkenProducer:Jo-anneMcGowan
Executiveproducer:JenniferPeedom
InAustraliancinemasfromMarch9,2017Q&AscreeningswithDavidaroundthecountryfromlateFebruaryDistributor:TransmissionFilmsProductioncompany:StrangerThanFictionFilms
TechnicalandotherinformationFormat Feature-lengthdocumentaryLength 1:37:44Aspectratio 2:39:1Sound 5.1Filmedat:
• CoffsHarbour/Sawtell,Bankstown,Camden,Sydney,theBlueMountainsandBrokenHillinNewSouthWales
• MelbourneandMountMacedon(HangingRock)inVictoria• BrisbaneandtheGoldCoastinQueensland• CanberraintheAustralianCapitalTerritory• AliceSpringsandUluruintheNorthernTerritory• LosAngelesandProvidenceintheUS• LondonandDevizesintheUK
WiththankstotheextraordinaryfilmmakersandactorswhocreatedthefilmsthathaveenrichedAustralia.InmemoryofPaulCox1940-2016AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderviewersarewarnedthatthefollowingfilmcontainsvoicesandimagesofdeceasedpersons.©StrangerThanFictionFilms,AustralianBroadcastingCorporation,andAdelaideFilmFestival.
SHORTSYNOPSESINBRIEFCriticDavidStratton’sloveaffairwithAustraliancinemaledhimtounderstandhimselfandhisadoptedcountry.ThisisthegloriousstoryofAustraliancinemaanditscreators,toldthroughtheveryparticulargazeofanationaltreasure.LONGERCinemahasalwaysbeenanobsessionfortheEnglish-bornAustraliancriticDavidStratton.Filedinaringbinderlabeled1946onashelfinhisofficehecan,withoutdelay,extractashort“review”hewroteasaseven-yearoldafterseeingtheAustralianfilmTheOverlanders.Atlastcounthe’dseen25,254filmsandreviewedmostofthem.Morethan1,000wereprintedintheinternationalfilmtrademagazineVariety.ItwasAustraliathatgaveDavidtheopportunitytoturnhispassionforcinemaintoaprofession,firstasthedirectoroftheSydneyFilmFestival–apositionheheldfornearlytwodecades–thenonnationaltelevisionalongsideMargaretPomeranzfornearlythree.HisinternationalrenowncameviaVariety.ItwasaloveaffairwithAustraliancinemathatledDavidtounderstandhimselfandhisadoptedcountry.FirstheearnedtherespectoftheAustralianfilmindustry,thentherespectofthepublic.HearrivedinAustraliaanoutsider;nowhe’sanationaltreasure.ThisisthegloriousstoryofAustraliancinemaanditscreators,toldthroughtheveryparticulargazeofAustralia’smostreveredcritic.
LONGSYNOPSES“Ican’timaginealifewithoutfilm,”saysAustralia’smostreveredcritic,theEnglish-bornDavidStratton.“Itrytoseeafilmeveryday.Atleastone.”FilmisDavid’slife.Filedinaringbinderlabeled1946onashelfinhisofficehecan,withoutdelay,extractaone-page“review”hewroteasaseven-yearoldafterseeingtheAustralianfilmTheOverlanders.Atlastcounthe’sseen25,254filmsandreviewedmostofthem.Morethan1,000wereprintedintheinternationalfilmtrademagazineVariety.AustraliagaveDavidtheopportunitytoturnhispassionforcinemaintoaprofessionwhenhewasofferedthejobofSydneyFilmFestivaldirector.HisbrotherRogersaystheirfatherwas“besidehimselfwithfury”:DavidwasmeanttoreturntoEnglandtorunthefamilygrocerybusiness.He’dcometoAustraliain1963asa“TenPoundPom”,aschemeaimedatboostingmigration,buthadintendedtostayonlyfortheobligatorytwoyears.AtthattimetheAustralianfilmindustrywaspracticallynon-existentbutwithinafewyearsagrowingbandofcourageousAustralianswaschannellingtheirenthusiasmforstorytellingintoanextraordinarybodyofwork.Davidhelpedchampionthemandtheirfilms,whichhebecamemoreandmorepersonallyaffectedby.Anexample:soonafterarrivinghehadgonelookingfortheAustralianheroismhe’dseenonscreen.But“Ididn’tfeellikeatourist,Ifeltabitnervous”.SeveralyearslaterherecognizedhimselfintheleadcharacteroftheschoolteacherinWakeInFright(1971),whodescendsintomadnessaftertwodaysinanoutbacktown.AsDavidfellinlovewithAustraliancinema,ithelpedhimunderstandhimselfandhisadoptedcountry.ThecountryeventuallyfellinlovewithhimtooasaresultofhisweeklyappearancesontelevisionalongsideMargaretPomeranz.Inthisglorious,sometimeshilarious,sometimesserious,alwayscompellingstoryofAustraliancinema,toldthroughDavid’sveryparticulargaze,heexploresthefilmsmostimportanttohimandAustraliaandanalysestheiremotionalpunch.IncludedareinterviewswithAustralia’sbiggestmoviegreats:theactorsNicoleKidman,RussellCrowe,GeoffreyRush,JudyDavis,HugoWeaving,SamNeill,RachelGriffiths,EricBana,JackiWeaver;andthedirectorsGillianArmstrong,GeorgeMiller,FredSchepisi,BruceBeresford,DavidMichôdandWarwickThornton.Tonameafewofthe52.Theytalkabouttheirwork,thefilmsthathavemostaffectedthem–andDavid.DavidrevealswhyheidentifiedwiththeboyinCarefulHeMightHearYouandexpoundsonhistheoryonthedistinctivenessofAustraliancrimefilms.Hehighlightstheimportanceoflandscapeandexplainshisabout-turnonTheCastle.HerevisitstheRomperStompercontroversyanddescribeshowHeadOngavehimawindowintoacontemporaryAustraliahe’dneverseenbefore.HedrillsdownintohowmainstreamAustraliahascometounderstandtheongoingimpactofcolonizationthroughfilmslikeJeddaandSamson&Delilah–andtheinjusticeoftheeventssurroundingthedisappearanceofAzariaChamberlain.AustraliancinemahastouchedallAustralians.DavidStratton’sroleasaconduithaschangedhimfromanoutsiderlookingintoanationaltreasurerecognisedwithanOrderofAustraliain2015.Deservedly.
QUOTESFROMINTERVIEWSJackThompson,actor:(onWakeinFright)“TedKotcheff(aCanadiandirector)broughtarealitytothescreenthatwascrucialforallAustraliansandallwould-befilmmakersinthiscountry,tomeetthemselvesforthefirsttime.”AndrewBovell,writer:“Ifyouwanttofindoutwhoweare:gobackthroughourcinema.”EricBana,actor:“BudTingwell’sspeech(inTheCastle)attheHighCourt;Ithinkit’soneofthemostbeautifulscenesinAustraliancinema…Itdoesn’tmatterhowmanytimesI’veseenthefilm,I’vealwaysfoundthatspeechtobeincrediblymoving.”Charles‘Bud’Tingwell,actor:(incharacterasthejudgeinTheCastle)“Youcanacquireahouse,butyoucan’tacquireahome.Ican’tspeakforthosewhowrotethisdocument,butI’llbetwhentheyputinthephrase‘onjustterms’theyhopeditwouldstopanyoneshortchangingsomeonelikeDarrylKerrigan.”JillBillcock,editor:(onTheCastle)“‘IhavegotmyhouseandIdon’twanttomove.’Ithinkthat’sthehighlightofthegreatAustraliandream.Itdoesn’tmatterthatitisnexttoanairportyouknow.”PJHogan,filmmaker:“Asafilmmakeryou’realwaysasked‘Whycomedyandtragedytogether?’asifthetwohadtositaatseparatetables.WhenIwasgrowingupIwantedtoseelifeasIexperiencedit,whichwas,happiness,sadness,sometimesallinamorning.”NicoleKidman,actor:(onMuriel’sWedding)“He(PJHogan)justnailedtheAustralianhumour.”JeanieDrynan,actor:(onTheMovieShowandAtTheMovies)“Peoplewhowouldneverlistentoafilmcriticgotinterestedandsaid‘Iwanttogoandseethatfilm.’”JanChapman,producer:“IthinksomehowwithLantanawedidtouchonthingsthatpeoplerecognisedintheirownrelationships,intheirownfamilies,theyperhapscouldn’ttalkabouteasily.”
DAVIDSTRATTON,REVEREDCRITIC,NATIONALTREASUREDavidonmakingthedocumentary“ThebiggestchallengewaswhittlingthelistoffilmsIwantedtofeaturedown.Mostareinbutsomedidn’tmakeitorareseenveryfleetinglybutthat’sinevitable.Youcan’tcovereverything.Decisionshadtobemade.”“Workingwiththecrewwasanabsolutedelight,”Davidsays.Withpreviewstoattend,reviewstowriteforTheAustralian,andnotestoprepareforthehistoryofworldcinemacourseherunsatSydneyUniversity,heleftpost-productiontoothers.“Theydidafantasticjob(intheeditroom)ofjuxtaposingactors,directorsandwriterscommentingontheirfilmsandothers’films:JocelynMoorhouse(director,TheDressmaker)ontheinfluenceMyBrilliantCareerhadonher,andGillianArmstrong(MyBrilliantCareer)ontheinfluenceonherofPicnicatHangingRock.AndJeanieDrynantalkingaboutactinginthesceneinthechurchinMuriel’sWeddingmovedmetotears.”Davidmentionsthreeinteractionshehadwhilemakingthefilmthatwereparticularlyspecialforhim:bumpingintotheactorsDavidGulpililandTommyLewis,whotellhimhowmuchtheyappreciatehisappreciationoftheirwork;spendinganeveningwithWarwickThorntonthatincludedsittingatacampfiretalkingaboutSamson&Delilah;andtalkingwithactorJudyDavis,whomhehadn’tseenforquitesometimeandwhosaidquitealotofthingsnotfitforinclusion.DavidonAustralianfilmsgenerally“TherearemoreAustralianfilmsthatareofhighqualitythatdidn’tfindalargeaudiencethandisappointingfilmsthatdid,”saysDavid,whoputsBreakerMorant,Gallipoli,StrictlyBallroomandLantanaamongtheAustralianfilmsthatstraddlepopularityandexcellence.Therearemanyothers.“Therewasatimeinthe’70sinthewakeofPicnicatHangingRockandMyBrilliantCareerandotherswhenAustralianfilmswerereallyembracedbyAustralians.Peoplewouldlookforwardtothenextonecomingoutandtherewasarealfeelingofprideandaffectionforthemostlywonderfulfilmsmadethen.Thatbubbleburstwith(taxincentive)10BAandvastnumbersofmediocrefilmscameout,dramaticallychangingtheproportionofgoodfilmstodisappointingfilmsandthatdidalotofdamagetothetrustandinterestaudienceshad.Nowlocalaudiencestakefilmsonaone-by-onebasis.TheywillgoandseeLion,whichhashadgoodreviewsandiswellmarketedbuttheywon’tgoandseeDownUnder.”DownUnderisablackcomedysetintheaftermathoftheCronullariots.Thesortofaudiencewhomightenjoyitdoesn’tgotothecinema,headds.They’dratherwaitandseeitthroughothersformsofdistribution.“TheregularloyalaudiencethatwillgooutandseeAustralianfilmstendstobeanolderaudienceandprobablyaneducatedaudiencebuttheywon’tnecessarilygoandseeasci-fifilmsuchasPredestinationorahorrorfilmsuchasTheBabadookandthat’sashame.They’resuperbfilmsbothofthem.”
DAVIDSTRATTON,REVEREDCRITIC,NATIONALTREASUREcont’dDavidanswersthreerandomquestionsWhatsortofreviewdoyouthinkMargaretwillgivethefilm?“Shecan’treviewafilmshe’sin.Isuggestshethinkslongandhardaboutthat.”Ishegladhemadethefilm?“IthinkIam.Ihopepeoplewilllikeit.Iamcuriousandabitnervous.”Didhethinkhe’deverstarinhisownmovie?“Neverinmywildestdreams.”OthersonDavidNicoleKidman,actor:“He'sacinephile,somanyofthefilmmakersknowhim,everywherearoundtheworld.” RachelPerkins,filmmaker:“DavidStrattonisslightlyterrifyingbecausehehasanencyclopedicknowledgeofcinema.”GeoffreyRush,actor:“Imeanthisinthenicestwaypossible:professorial…”GeorgeMiller,filmmaker:“HehasseenmorefilmsthanIthinkanyoneelseIknow.”ToddMcCarthy,critic:“David'sinitialreputationcameoutofwhathedidattheSydneyFilmFestival;itwasonlythroughVarietythatDavidbecameaninternationallyknowncritic.Iwouldn'tdiscountalsohislookbecauseDavidwasinstantlyidentifiable:thewhitehairthewhitebeardandkindofthesamesuitmostofthetime.NootherAustraliancriticbecameknownoutsideofAustralia.”JackiWeaver,actor:“Thesedaysoftheinternet;toomanybozosgivetheiropinionsandthey’resounqualifiedandtheywouldn'thaveaclueandtheyshouldjustpulltheirheadsin…ButsomeonelikeDavidStrattonwho'sseenthousandsandthousandsandthousandsoffilmsisentitled–andinfactit'sincumbentonhim–totelluswhathethinksaboutthembecauseitcomesfromaneducatedplace.”SigridThornton,actor:“InsomesortofweirdwayDavidisrepresentativeofwhatfilmcandoforapopulationbecausehe'scometounderstandhisadoptedculturethroughfilm.It'sabeautifulthing.”MargaretPomeranz,co-hostonTheMovieShowandAttheMovies:(toDavid)“Iactuallythinkthatyou'reareallyniceperson.Youare.Youareareallydecentperson.Andanationaltreasure.ButyouarestillveryBritish.”RogerStratton,littlebrother:Itishisentirelife,ifyoulikeit’shisreligion.AnaKokkinos,filmmaker:“DavidhasmadeanimmensecontributiontoAustralianfilm.AndIthinkit’sbeenunique.Inthevariousrolesthathe’splayed,he’stakenAustraliancinematotheworldbuthe’salsobroughtummworldcinematous.GeoffreyWright,filmmaker:(onDavidStrattonnotgivinghisfeatureRomperStomperascoreonTheMovieShow)“Pompouswind-bagthathewas,hedidusagreatfavour.”
BACKGROUNDNOTES“Irealisedprettyquickly,afterre-watchingjustafewiconicAustralianfilms,thatIhadforgottentheeffectthefilmshadonmeatanearliertime,”saysproducerJo-anneMcGowan,recallingtheveryearlydaysofmakingDavidStratton:ACinematicLife.“ThesceneIfounddeeplydeeplyaffectingwaswhenEdwardWoodwardandBryanBrownholdhandsinBreakerMorantastheyarewalkingtotheirexecution.I’dforgottenthatsceneentirely.”Shehasnoticedsimilarreactionsfromothers:“Peopleweptatroughcutscreeningsbecausetheyweresoaffectedbythematerial.Ithinkthefilmsgooutofourconsciousmindsbutformpartofwhoweare.Seeingbitsofthosefilmsaltogethergivesyoutheshivers.”FromMcGowan’spointofview,Australiaismadeupofahugenumberofcommunitiesandthisdocumentaryshowstheimportanceofhearingstoriesfromallofthem.Weneedtopreservestorydiversityasmuchasweneedtopreservebiodiversity.”AlandmarkseriesTheideaofmakingadocumentaryaboutthegloriousstoryofAussiecinema–withDavidStrattonastourguide–camefromClaudeGonzalez,whoproducedtheABCshowAtTheMovies,whichDavidhostedalongsideMargaretPomeranz.ABC-TVheadofartsMandyChanginvitedJo-anneMcGowantoputinapitchtoproducethedocumentaryinmid2015andmatchedJo-anneupwithdirectorSallyAitken.“NosoonerhadMandyChangsaid“alandmarkseriesaboutAustraliancinema”thenI’dsaid‘WheredoIsignup?’”saysSally.She’sbeenonacrashcourseonAustraliancinemaeversince.“IamaNewZealander.Mynextthoughtwas‘I’mgoingtodothiswithDavidStratton!I’mgoingtobefoundoutinabouttwominutes’.”ButSallyhadconsiderabledocumentaryexperienceandaburningcuriosity.Also,saysMcGowan,“aconsiderableintellectand(veryusefully)anoutsider’seye”.“Thewholethinghasbeenanexcitingadventure,”saysSally.Butshehasalsobeenonarollercoasterofemotions,cinemabeingwhatitis.“OnedaywhenIwasfeelingveryunwellIputonWakeinFright.I’dneverheardofit.Whatarevelation.Idefinitelyfeltworseattheendofthatone!“It’sbeenfascinatingbecauseallgoodfilmssaysomethinginterestingaboutthetimetheyweremade.IlearnedthatAustralialaysclaimtotheworld’sfirstnarrativefilm,thattherewasavibrantindustryinthesilenterawithmanywomeninthemix,andIlearnedsomethingveryinterestingabouttheminimumwagewhenitwasbroughtin,althoughIcouldn’tfindawayofgettingitintothefilm.Itincludedprovisionforamanandwifeandtwochildrentogotothemoviesonceaweek.Ithinkit’swhyAustralianslovefilmstillnow–andwhyHollywoodshowedsomuchinterestinAustraliathatitleadtothe(temporary)demiseoftheindustry.”
BACKGROUNDNOTEScont’dIncinemasfromMarch9McGowanalwaysimaginedshewasmakingsomethingthatwouldgouponthebigscreenaswellasinloungeroomsacrossAustralia.“Ifeltcertainitwouldattractawidecinemaaudience,aswellasatelevisionone.OurexecutiveproducerisJenPeedom,writer/directorofSherpa,andithadbeenasuccessinAustraliancinemasfordistributorTransmissionFilms.WithJen,IcalledTransmission’sAndrewMackietoseeifhemightbeinterestedandhesaid‘yes’immediately.Thatneverhappens.ThenextmorningwhenIwokeIaskedmyself‘DidIjustdreamthat?’Itmadesomanymorethingspossible.”“DavidisanAustralianstarinhisownrightandwehadtobeinvolved,”saysMackie.“It’sreaffirmedourbeliefinthestrengthofAustralianstoriesandstorytelling.Andhowcrucialitistothedevelopmentofourculturalidentity.SomeAustraliangovernmentsdon'tvaluethisasmuchastheyshould.WepunchsofaraboveourweightandDavidisoneofthefewadvocateswehave.He'safatherfigureforAustralianfilm.Peoplelovehim.He'sourfilmDad.”Thetelevisionandthetheatricalversionsareverydifferentfromeachother.ThetelevisionversionexploresthesubjectinathematicwaywhereasDavidtakesaseatclosertothefrontinthefeaturelengthdocumentary.Inotherwords,it’sverymuchhisemotionaljourneythroughtheAustraliancinematerrain.ThetheatricalversiongoesintocinemasonMarch9,2017;theABCwillscreentheseriesfromMay31.SchedulingwasajuggleFilmingonDavidStratton:ACinematicLife–andtheTVversionDavidStratton’sStoriesofAustralianCinema–ranoff-and-onfromFebruarytoDecember2016.With52peopleinterviewedacrossAustraliaandinLosAngelesandLondon,schedulingwasajuggle.SallydidformalinterviewswithDavidandfollowedhimtovariousfamousfilmlocationsincludingHangingRocknearMountMacedoninVictoriaandtheSilvertonHotelnearBrokenHillinNewSouthWales.“David’sofficeishisinnersanctumandIfeltexceptionallyprivilegedthatheallowedustofilmwhatIthinkisanincrediblearchiveoffilmsandofhispassion.Hewasayoungchildwhenhestartedwritingnotesaboutfilmsasifhewasreviewingthem.He’sstillgotthosenotesandthefilingsystemhehadthenhe’sstillgotnow,inhis70s.”About100filmsgetattheveryleastanodinthefeaturefilm.Therewasalotofpush-pullonwhattoincludeandwhattodrop.“ThestartingpointwasthefilmsthatweremeaningfultoDavidandthefilmsthathadaresonancewithinthecountryandculture,”saysSally.Itwasapainstakingjobtointegratethemwithalltheotherthreadstocreateonecoherentnarrative.Therewasalsointerviewsnewandold;clipsfromfilmsnewandold;andDavid’sto-camerasegments.Inarathersplendidway,thecreativeteamalsovisualisedwhat’shappenedinDavid'slifeusingscenesfromAustralianfilms.
BACKGROUNDNOTEScont’d“Thebiggestchallengewastodecideon,notsomuchaformulaasablueprintonhowitwouldflowandfeel,”sayseditorAdrianRostirolla.“Thereweresomanyelementstojuggle.Itwasn’tjustaboutwhatfilmstoincludebutalsohowdeeptogo,howlongbeforeshiftingtosomethingbiographicalaboutDavid,howtobalancedarkermomentswithhumour.Overallit’sinformativebutthere’salotofcheekymoments.Webringouthishumourmorethanaudienceswouldhaveseenontelevision.”AjoyforthecrewThekeycreativeteamgreatlyvaluedtheopportunitytohearfirst-handthebackstoriesbehindsomanyofAustralia’smostbelovedfilms,tomeetmanyofAustralia’sfilmgreatsandtolearnmoreabouttheirowncraftasaresult.Itwasaremindertothemthattheysitontheshouldersofpreviousgenerationsoffilmmakersandactors,drawinginspirationfromthemtokeepgoing.“ItwassosatisfyingtoseelotsoffilmsI’dneverseenoronlyseenpartofanddissectthem,”saysRostirolla.“WhenwatchingPicnicatHangingRockIthought‘IbetthedirectorofDonnieDarkowasinfluencedby(director)PeterWeir’andIlookeditupandIwasright.”“Foradirectorofphotographyitwasadreamjobtoworkonafilmaboutfilms,”sayscinematographerKevinScottwho,likeDavid,isEnglishbybirth.“Davidputmeontoawholeplethoraofmoviesthatithadnevercrossedmymindtowatchfrom20,30,40yearsago,includinghisfavourite,Newsfront.”Scottfilmedeverythinginwidescreenwithcamerasusuallyusedforcinema,asifhewasmakingafeaturefilm.Thatwayallthefootagewouldcuttogetherwellandgiveviewersacomfortableride.“Todeliverthewholethingina2.39:1aspectratio(widescreen)isprettyrareforadocumentary,”hesays.Heusedwide-anglelensfortheinterviews,adecisionthatmakesthewell-litbackgroundsturnintopanoramas.Asaresultthoughthecamerawasalwaysaboutametrefromthosedoingthetalking.“Wewereshootingiconsoftheindustryandhadtomakethemlookgoodbutitwasabitscarylightingbignameactorsandsomeofthebestcinematographersintheworldbecausetherewasnopullingthewoolovertheireye,”hesayswithalaugh.“Theyknewexactlywhatweweredoingatalltimes.”DavidisoneofthemostresilienttelevisionpersonalitiesinAustraliaandthisishisjourneythroughthefilmsthatwereshapedbyAustraliabutalsoshapedAustralia.ThesefilmsalsogaveDavidanidentity.McGowanexpectsthatsomewillfindhimquitedisarmingfromthisnewangle.“Thefilmparticularlysubvertsexpectationwhenweseethatveryemotionalmomentneartheendwhenhetalksaboutthetimehismotherexpressedherprideinhim.I’vewatchedsomanypeoplewatchthatsceneandunconsciouslybringtheirhandsuptotheirhearts.”
AFILMQUIZBASEDONINFORMATIONINTHEDOCUMENTARYQ:WhatwasthefirstAustralianfilmtobeinvitedtotheCannesfilmfestival?[Afollowupclue?Itwasdirectedin1955byCharlesChauvel]A:Jedda.Q:WhathasbeenthemostsuccessfulreturnablefilmbrandtoemergefromAustraliaandwhatisthenameofthemostrecentadditiontothefranchise?A:TheMadMaxmovies;MadMax:FuryRoad.[Moreinfo:There’sbeenfoursincethefirst,whichreachedcinemasin1979]Q:WhowasthefirstlivingAustraliantowinanAcademyAward?[Afollowupclue?Heplayedapianistwhowasalsoalive.]A:GeoffreyRushforhisroleinShine.Q:Nametheactor.Inhisfirstfilmrolehisfathertrainedgreyhoundsandlivedwithhisfamilyalongsideamajormetropolitanairport.A:EricBanaQ:WhatwasthenameofdirectorFredSchepisi’sfirstfilm?[Afollowupclue?ItdrewonhisownlifeasateenagerinaCatholicseminary]A:TheDevil’sPlayground.Q:WhichfilmlaunchednotjustToniCollette’scareerbutalsoRachelGriffith’s?A:Muriel’sWeddingQ:WhatwasthefirstfilmtostarDavidGulpilil?A:Walkabout[Moreinfo:EnglishmanNicholasRoegmadethefilmin1971.]
PRESENTERBIOGRAPHYDavidStrattonDavidStrattonwasbornintheUKin1939andeducatedinBritain.HemigratedtoAustraliain1963andwasappointeddirectoroftheSydneyFilmFestivalin1966.Hestayedonfor18years,resigningin1983.Duringthisperiodhewasinvolvedinthe1970srenaissanceofAustraliancinema.ThefestivalscreenedtheworldpremieresofthefirstshortandfeatureworkofseveralkeydirectorsincludingPeterWeir,PhillipNoyce,FredSchepisi,GillianArmstrong,PaulCox,GeorgeMillerandothers.Hisfirstbook,TheLastNewWave,aboutthenewAustraliancinema,waspublishedin1980.Alsoin1980,DavidbecamefeaturefilmconsultanttoAustralia’sSBS,thethennewly-establishedmulti-culturaltelevisionnetwork.Thereheselectedandhostedon-airinternationalfeaturefilmandsubsequentlycinemaclassicsprograms.In1986hestartedanewtelevisionprogram,TheMovieShow,inpartnershipwithfilmcriticMargaretPomeranz.Aninstantsuccess,itwasbroadcastinprimetimeandreviewednewmovies–mainstreamandart-house–openinginAustraliaeachweek,togetherwithinterviews.In2004,thepairwereinvitedtomovefromSBStoABC-TV.TheMovieShowandAttheMoviestogetherhadarecord28-yearrun,withthefinalbroadcastinDecember2014.DavidhasalsoworkedasafilmcriticforTheAustralianfrom1988untilthepresentandforarangeofothertitles.Since1983hehasreviewedfilmsfortheUS-basedtradenewspaperVariety.Heresignedin2003.Asecondbook,TheAvocadoPlantation,aboutAustraliancinemainthe1980s,waspublishedin1990andDavid’sautobiography,IPeedonFellini,in2008.HehasbeenworkingonabookabouttheAustralianfilmsmadesince1990.Apublisherisnotyetsigned.DuringhiscareerDavidhas:attendedmanyinternationalfilmfestivals;servedasamemberoftheinternationaljuryinBerlin(1982),Montreal(1982)andVenice(1994);chairedFIPRESCI(InternationalFederationofFilmCritics)juriesinCannesandVenice;andservedonjuriesinChicago,Hawaii,KarlovyVary[CzechRepublic]andAdelaide.DavidhaslecturedonfilmhistoryaspartoftheContinuingEducationprogramattheUniversityofSydneysince1990.DavidisrecipientoftheRaymondLongfordAwardfromtheAustralianFilmInstituteforservicestoAustraliancinemaandtheCharlesChauvelAwardfromtheBrisbaneInternationalFilmFestival.Inthe2015AustraliaDayHonourshewaspresentedtheawardofMember(AM)intheGeneralDivisionoftheOrderofAustralia.HeisanHonoraryDoctorofLetters(UniversityofSydneyandMacquarieUniversity)andaCommanderoftheOrderofArtsandLetters(France).In2017twodocumentariesfeaturinghimwillpremiere:thefilmDavidStratton:ACinematicLifeandDavidStratton’sStoriesofAustralianCinema,athree-partseriesthatairsonABC-TV.
CREATIVETEAMBIOGRAPHIESSallyAitken,writer/directorSallyAitkenisashowrunner,directorandwriterwitha15-yeartrackrecordmakingallgenresofshowsforbroadcastersaroundtheworld.ShesaystwoprogramsmostpreparedherforthisdeepdigdownintoAustraliancinema.TheWeekTheWomenWentisanambitiouseight-partsocialexperimentthatdocumentedmodern-daygenderpoliticsinCanadabyremovingallthewomeninanordinarysmalltown,leavingthemenandchildreninchargeforaweek.TheGreatAustralianRaceRiotisathree-partexaminationoftheviolencethathasbubbledupinmodernmulticulturalAustraliaandtheaftermath.Bothrequiredhertocometogripswithverybigsubjects.“ButIdon’tthinkanythingpreparesyouforthelayersofbureaucracywhensourcingfootagefrommajorUSstudios.”HermostrecentworkforAustraliantelevisionincludes:StreetsofYourTown,whichunpackedModernismandMcMansionisminhousingdesign;Australia’sSecretHeroes:Vietnam,afirst-handreflectionbybothAustralianandVietnameseveteransinthecontextofapoliticallyturbulentdecade;andGettingFrankGehry,aboutthefamousarchitect.Jo-anneMcGowan,producerHowappropriate:Jo-anne’smostrecentproducercreditwasonBetweenaFrockandaHardPlace,adocumentarythatlookedwellbeyondthehistoryofthebelovedAustralianfilmTheAdventuresofPriscilla,QueenofTheDeserttothesocietythatspawnedit.Shehasmadearangeofdocumentariesonthecreativeindustriesandtheirconnectiontosocietyandcultureincluding:bothseriesofArt+Soul(withBridgetIkin)acompellinglookatindigenousart;ananimatedinterstitialdocumentaryseriesonhowfamilyheirloomsencapsulatememory;and,ratherlongerago,BarryHumphries’Flashbacks.SheproducedTroubledWaters,aboutAustralia’sroleinEastTimor,andKabbarli,aboutDaisyBates.LikeACinematicLife,thelatterwascommissionedfortheAdelaideFilmFestival.Jo-annehasbeenacommissionerherself–atSBS–andadevelopmentexecutiveatABC-TVandheadofproducingattheAustralianFilmTelevisionandRadioSchool.Sheisagraduate.KevinScott,directorofphotographyKevinScotthasworkedonhundredsofdocumentariesandtelevisioncommercials(TVCs)andmorethan40featurefilms.Forthelastsixyearsofhis25-yearcareer,hehasworkedasadirectorofphotography.WhenKevinwasfilmingDavidStrattonatVictoria’sHangingRockhetextedalotofpicturestoRussellBoyd,theworldrenownedcinematographerwhofilmedtheclassicAustralianpicturePicnicatHangingRock;they’dworkedtogetheronTVCs.OneofhismostrecentproductionswastheshortfilmMiroanditwasthewidescreenlookheusedonthisthathedevelopedmuchfurtheronDavidStratton:ACinematicLife."Itismyjobtocapturethedirector’sidea,truthfullyandvisually,creatingbothbeautifulandrealisticimages.”KevinownsaboutiquecamerarentalhouseinSydney.AdrianRostirolla,editorAdrianRostirollathinksofthoseonwhichhehadtojugglealotofelements,includingarchival,whenaskedwhatpreviousprojectshe’deditedthatbestpreparedhimforthisonewithDavidStratton.ThedocumentaryBombHarvestisone.Itexplores–inaveryhumanway–thefactthatLaosisthemostbombedcountrypercapitaontheplanet.Theexperimentalfeaturefilm,Black&White&Sexisanother.Itusedalotofmontagesequences,asdoesACinematicLife.AdrianwastheeditoronthefeatureKokoda.HistelevisioncreditsincludeHouseHusbands,LoveChildandOnceUponaTimeinPunchbowl.
CREATIVETEAMANDCOMMISSIONINGEXECUTIVES
WRITER/DIRECTORSallyAitken
PRODUCER
Jo-anneMcGowan
DIRECTOROFPHOTOGRAPHYKevinScott
EDITORAdrianRostirolla
COMPOSERSCaitlinYeoAngelaLittle
EXECUTIVEPRODUCERJenniferPeedom
EXECUTIVEPRODUCERSAndrewMackieRichardPaytenMeganYoung
EXECUTIVEPRODUCERSMandyChangAmandaDuthie
LINEPRODUCERJodiMaddocks
FEATUREDFILMSWalkabout(1971)NicolasRoeg|MaxL.RaabProductionsTheAdventuresofPriscilla,QueenoftheDesert(1994)StephanElliott|PolygramFilmedEntertainmentTwoHands(1999)GregorJordan|CMLFilmsTheDevil’sPlayground(1976)FredSchepisi|TheAustralianFilmCommissionNewsfront(1978)PhillipNoyce|TheAustralianFilmCommissionPicnicatHangingRock(1975)PeterWeir|TheAustralianFilmCommissionTheCastle(1997)RobSitch|WorkingDogMyBrilliantCareer(1979)GillianArmstrong|GreaterUnionOrganisationRedDog(2011)KrivStenders|WossGroupFilmProductionsCrocodileDundee(1986)PeterFaiman|RimfireFilmsStormBoy(1976)HenriSafran|TheSouthAustralianFilmCommissionLoveSerenade(1996)ShirleyBarrett|AustralianFilmFinanceCorporationTracks(2013)JohnCurran|ScreenAustraliaTheHunter(2011)DanielNettheim|PorchlightFilmsTenCanoes(2006)RolfdeHeer|AdelaideFilmFestivalTheOverlanders(1946)HarryWatt|EalingStudiosMadDogMorgan(1976)PhillippeMora|MadDogTheManFromSnowyRiver(1982)GeorgeMiller|CambridgeProductionsBMXBandits(1983)BrianTrenchard-Smith|NilsenPremiereWakeInFright(1971)TedKotcheff|NLTProductionsSamson&Delilah(2009)WarwickThornton|CAAMAProductionsTheYearMyVoiceBroke(1987)JohnDuigan|KennedyMillerProductionsTheDaughter(2015)SimonStone|ScreenNSWTheHomeSongStories(2007)TonyAyres|AustralianFilmFinanceCorporation
Muriel’sWedding(1994)PJHogan|House&MoorhouseFilmsBlessed(2009)AnaKokkinos|BlessedFilmProductionsLastCabToDarwin(2015)JeremySims|LastCabProductionsCharlie’sCountry(2013)RolfdeHeer|Bula’bulaArtsAboriginalInnocence(2000)PaulCox|Strand/NewOzProductionsGallipoli(1981)PeterWeir|TheAustralianFilmCommissionSundayTooFarAway(1975)KenHannam|TheAustralianFilmCommissionProof(1991)JocelynMoorhouse|House&MoorhouseFilmsShine(1996)ScottHicks|AustralianFilmFinanceCorporationAustralia(2008)BazLuhrmann|TwentiethCenturyFoxCorporationRazorback(1984)RussellMulcahy|McElroy&McElroyWolfCreek(2005)GregMcLean|TheAustralianFilmFinanceCorporationLantana(2001)RayLawrence|MBP(Germany)MyFirstWife(1984)PaulCox|DofineProductionsForceofDestiny(2015)PaulCox|IlluminationFilmsBeautifulKate(2009)RachelWard|BeautifulKateProductionsStork(1971)TimBurstall|Bilcock&CoppingFilmProductionsTheAdventuresofBarryMcKenzie(1972)BruceBeresford|LongfordProductionsAlvinPurple(1976)MauriceMurphy|HexagonProductionsTheYearofLivingDangerously(1982)PeterWeir|McElroy&McElroyTheChantofJimmieBlacksmith(1978)FredSchepisi|TheFilmHouseNewsfront(1976)PhillipNoyce|TheAustralianFilmCommissionBreakerMorant(1980)BruceBeresford|7NetworkDon’sParty(1976)BruceBeresford|TheAustralianFilmCommissionCaddie(1976)DonaldCrombie|AnthonyBuckleyProductionsLuckyMiles(2007)MichaelJamesRowland|PuncturePtyLtd
They’reAWeirdMob(1996)MichaelPowell|Williamson/PowellFootyLegends(2006)KhaoDo|FilmFinanceCorporationAustraliaAli’sWedding(2016)JeffreyWalker|MatchboxPicturesHeadOn(1998)AnaKokkinos|AustralianFilmFinanceCorporationBeneathHill60(2010)JeremySims|LuckyCountryProductionsTheSapphires(2012)WayneBlair|GoalpostPicturesKokoda(2006)AlisterGrierson|AustralianFilmFinanceCorporationBranNueDae(2009)RachelPerkins|RobynKershawProductionsCarefulHeMightHearYou(1983)CarlSchultz|NewSouthWalesFilmCommissionTheDressmaker(2015)JocelynMoorhouse|ScreenAustraliaJedda(1955)CharlesChauvel|CharlesChauvelProductionsTurkeyShoot(1982)BrianTrenchard-Smith|FGHTheChainReaction(1980)IanBarry|PalmBeachPicturesRoadGames(1981)RichardFranklin|EssanessPicturesPatrick(1978)RichardFranklin|AustralianInternationalFilmCorporationPtyLtdcourtesyAntonyI.GinnaneMadMax(1979)GeorgeMiller|KennedyMillerProductionsMadMax2–TheRoadWarrior(1981)GeorgeMiller|KennedyMillerProductionsMadMax3–BeyondThunderdome(1985)GeorgeMiller|KennedyMillerProductionsMadMax4-FuryRoad(2015)GeorgeMiller|KennedyMillerProductionsDeathinBrunswick(1990)JohnRuane|AustralianFilmFinanceCorporationDirtyDeeds(2002)DavidCaesar|AllianceAtlantisCommunicationsEvilAngels(1988)FredSchepisi|CannonEntertainmentDeadCalm(1989)PhillipNoyce|KennedyMillerProductionsPubertyBlues(1981)BruceBeresford|LimelightProductions
Malcolm(1986)NadiaTass|CascadeFilmsMonkeyGrip(1982)KenCameron|PavilionFilmsRomperStomper(1992)GeoffreyWright|TheAustralianFilmCommissionTheCombination(2009)DavidField|SeeThruFilmsSnowtown(2011)JustinKurzel|CarverFilmsChopper(2000)AndrewDominik|AustralianFilmFinanceCorporationTheBoys(1998)RowanWoods|ArenafilmAnimalKingdom(2010)DavidMichôd|PorchlightFilmsNedKelly(2003)GregorJordan|TheAustralianFilmCommissionStoryofTheKellyGang(1906)CharlesTait|J&NTaitTheSentimentalBloke(1919)RaymondLongford|SouthernCrossFeatureFilmCompanyThoseWhoLove(1926)PauletteMcDonagh|MCDProductionsForTheTermofHisNaturalLife(1927)NormanDawn|AustralasianFilmsIntheWakeoftheBounty(1933)CharlesChauvel|ExpeditionaryFilmsStrictlyBallroom(1992)BazLurhmann|M&ARomeo+Juliet(1996)BazLurhmann|BazmarkFilmsMoulinRouge(2001)BazLurhmann|BazmarkFilmsGoldstone(2016)IvanSen|BunyaProductionsCosi(1996)MarkJoffe|AustralianFilmFinanceCorporation
INTERVIEWEESINORDEROFAPPEARANCENicoleKidmanTonyBuckleyGeoffreyRushRachelPerkinsRogerStrattonGeorgeMillerBryanBrownSarahSnookToddMcCarthyAnaKokkinosMichaelCatonTedKotcheffJackThompsonDavidMichôdJocelynMoorhousePJHoganRachelGriffithsJillBilcockJeanieDrynanJanChapmanPaulCoxGillianArmstrongBruceBeresfordPhillipAdamsAnne-LouiseLambertAndrewBovellJackiWeaverRussellBoydWarwickThorntonRussellCroweMargaretPomeranzTonyAyresChristosTsiolkasSigridThorntonLeahPurcellMargaretFinkJudyDavisSamNeillRicChauvelScottHicksBrianTrenchard-SmithClaudiaKarvanFredSchepisiStephanElliottSophieJensenMandyWalkerHugoWeavingLouisNowraGeoffreyWrightAlClarkSimonBurkeEricBana
