Exclusive: The Mentalist actor Simon Baker, Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories and Australian agent-producer Lee-Anne Higgins are taking to adapt Emily Perkins’ novel ‘Lioness.’
The trio have optioned the hot book, which comes from bestselling Aotearoa New Zealand author Perkins and won the recent Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
Baker, who took his first full TV series starring role since The Mentalist in Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe earlier this year, will direct all episodes. Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Katie Amos will produce for Made Up Stories, along with Higgins, Baker and Perkins.
Lioness follows Therese Thorne, a woman who has married a wealthy older man and built a successful career, but now finds a fraud investigation threatening her sense of loyalty as well as her reputation. She faces a midlife reckoning about love and complicity, while being drawn to her neighbour,...
The trio have optioned the hot book, which comes from bestselling Aotearoa New Zealand author Perkins and won the recent Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
Baker, who took his first full TV series starring role since The Mentalist in Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe earlier this year, will direct all episodes. Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Katie Amos will produce for Made Up Stories, along with Higgins, Baker and Perkins.
Lioness follows Therese Thorne, a woman who has married a wealthy older man and built a successful career, but now finds a fraud investigation threatening her sense of loyalty as well as her reputation. She faces a midlife reckoning about love and complicity, while being drawn to her neighbour,...
- 8/8/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Robert Connolly’s 2022 directorial venture Blueback is a special kind of film where the marine life is shown with such emotion and care that they become a rich character in the film, overshadowing all the ones played by humans. Based on a novel of the same name by Tim Winton, Blueback is the story of Abby, who returns to her roots in Australia, where she spent her childhood with her mother Dora. Dora was an activist fighting against the growing fishing industry and trying to save the species that were indigenous to the reef near which they lived. Abby comes back to care for Dora, who had a stroke, and reminisces about the time when she had befriended a blue groper.
Spoilers Ahead
Plot Synopsis: What Happens In The Film?
Abby’s father had once gone out into Roebuck Bay and never returned. It was a shark attack, everyone assumed.
Spoilers Ahead
Plot Synopsis: What Happens In The Film?
Abby’s father had once gone out into Roebuck Bay and never returned. It was a shark attack, everyone assumed.
- 2/12/2024
- by Ayush Awasthi
- Film Fugitives
They’re back. Rlje Films presents the Stephen King reboot Children of the Corn by Kurt Wimmer on 500+ screens. It’s a redo of the classic 1984 slasher-horror film about kids possessed by a demonic spirit in a dying cornfield, with bloody, rampaging results.
King’s iconic short story features a 12-year-old Nebraska girl who recruits the kids in her small town for a killing spree of all the adults, and anyone else who opposes her. A bright high schooler who won’t go along with the plan is the town’s only hope of survival. There are some new twists, in Wimmer’s version, the corn is genetically modified. Starring Elena Kampouris, Kate Moyer, Callan Mulvey and Bruce Spence.
The story is great, spawning numerous spinoffs beginning with Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice in 1992 followed by Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest in 1995. Most went direct to video.
King’s iconic short story features a 12-year-old Nebraska girl who recruits the kids in her small town for a killing spree of all the adults, and anyone else who opposes her. A bright high schooler who won’t go along with the plan is the town’s only hope of survival. There are some new twists, in Wimmer’s version, the corn is genetically modified. Starring Elena Kampouris, Kate Moyer, Callan Mulvey and Bruce Spence.
The story is great, spawning numerous spinoffs beginning with Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice in 1992 followed by Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest in 1995. Most went direct to video.
- 3/3/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
"The only way to make sure he's safe, is to keep him secret." Quiver Distribution has revealed an official US trailer for the Australian eco drama Blueback, now set to open in theaters (nationwide!!) in March in the US. The film originally premiered at TIFF 2022 last fall, and already opened in Australia earlier in the year. Most recently it just played at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival last monh. An inspiring story for the whole family, Tim Winton's best-selling novel comes to life on the big screen. The latest film from The Dry director Robert Connolly, starring Mia Wasikowska. The story follows Abby, a young girl who initially befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When she's older, Abby realizes that the fish is under threat, and she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, taking on the poachers to save her friend. The film also stars Radha Mitchell,...
- 2/6/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Following on the heels of international hit “The Dry,” veteran Australian director Robert Connelly has tackled another local literary adaptation in “Blueback,” based on his celebrated compatriot Tim Winton’s 1997 novella. That slender tome (subtitled “A Contemporary Fable”) was aimed primarily at younger readers. The film adopts a somewhat more grownup, realistic, less parabolic tenor, though its ecology-minded narrative remains a bit sketchy for feature treatment — resulting in a pleasant, very handsome-looking movie rather short on dramatic impact.
Nonetheless, it’s got more than enough significant plusses to offer, from an appealing cast led by Mia Wasikowska and Radha Mitchell to much spectacularly inviting underwater photography. Having already played a few other fests in advance of its Sundance showcase (and opened commercially in a few territories), it is slated for U.S. theatrical release by Quiver Distribution on Feb. 24, with VOD following April 21.
Abby Jackson (Wasikowska) is a marine biologist working on a seafaring lab,...
Nonetheless, it’s got more than enough significant plusses to offer, from an appealing cast led by Mia Wasikowska and Radha Mitchell to much spectacularly inviting underwater photography. Having already played a few other fests in advance of its Sundance showcase (and opened commercially in a few territories), it is slated for U.S. theatrical release by Quiver Distribution on Feb. 24, with VOD following April 21.
Abby Jackson (Wasikowska) is a marine biologist working on a seafaring lab,...
- 1/21/2023
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Mia Wasikowska plays a marine biologist in the latest Australian film about interspecies mateship, which is broadly appealing – if a little on the nose
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Audiences open to an ecological ocean drama that’s gentler, more grounded and certainly more ‘Strayan than James Cameron’s squillion-dollar screensaver can find an appealing – if slight – companion piece in the latest Tim Winton adaptation, brought to the screen by writer-director Robert Connolly.
Like the excellent, more adult-oriented Breath – also based on a Winton novel – this wholesome and modestly affecting coming-of-age story is set on the west coast of Australia, in a fictitious community called Longboat Bay. It’s a family-friendly, broadly appealing film that expands the canon of coastal Aussie pictures involving interspecies mateship – the original and remade Storm Boy, featuring Mr Percival the pelican, and Oddball, featuring a very photogenic Maremma sheepdog that saves a colony of penguins in Victoria.
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Audiences open to an ecological ocean drama that’s gentler, more grounded and certainly more ‘Strayan than James Cameron’s squillion-dollar screensaver can find an appealing – if slight – companion piece in the latest Tim Winton adaptation, brought to the screen by writer-director Robert Connolly.
Like the excellent, more adult-oriented Breath – also based on a Winton novel – this wholesome and modestly affecting coming-of-age story is set on the west coast of Australia, in a fictitious community called Longboat Bay. It’s a family-friendly, broadly appealing film that expands the canon of coastal Aussie pictures involving interspecies mateship – the original and remade Storm Boy, featuring Mr Percival the pelican, and Oddball, featuring a very photogenic Maremma sheepdog that saves a colony of penguins in Victoria.
- 12/29/2022
- by Luke Buckmaster
- The Guardian - Film News
Click here to read the full article.
After exploring the devastations of drought in his 2020 acclaimed thriller The Dry, Australian director Robert Connolly takes a deep dive into the majestic world beneath the ocean’s surface in Blueback, his forthcoming environmentalist family film starring Mia Wasikowska and Eric Bana.
Blueback is loosely based on Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name. Connolly spent over 20 years developing the project, which he also co-wrote. He describes it as “a family-friendly celebration of the natural world.”
Taking place in multiple time periods across a young woman’s life, the film tells the story of a girl who befriends a wild blue groper while scuba diving. When she discovers the fish and its kind are under threat, she takes inspiration from her environmental activist mother to face down poachers to protect the creature. The episode marks the beginning...
After exploring the devastations of drought in his 2020 acclaimed thriller The Dry, Australian director Robert Connolly takes a deep dive into the majestic world beneath the ocean’s surface in Blueback, his forthcoming environmentalist family film starring Mia Wasikowska and Eric Bana.
Blueback is loosely based on Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name. Connolly spent over 20 years developing the project, which he also co-wrote. He describes it as “a family-friendly celebration of the natural world.”
Taking place in multiple time periods across a young woman’s life, the film tells the story of a girl who befriends a wild blue groper while scuba diving. When she discovers the fish and its kind are under threat, she takes inspiration from her environmental activist mother to face down poachers to protect the creature. The episode marks the beginning...
- 10/4/2022
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Australia’s answer to the 2022 Oscar Best Picture winner Coda is here. I’m only half-joking. Blueback is a bit better than the movie that most recently won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but it employs a similar sort of lightweight treatment of banner issues. Blueback has two major characteristics in its favor: the aquatic cinematography by Andrew Commis and Rick Rifici and that it’s satisfied with being a message movie for kids. It would be perfect to show in a middle school or elementary school classroom during substitute teacher day, like Free Willy, a choice selection when I was a kid. It’s completely inoffensive but also lacking emotional heft, a result of sloppy story structure and flashback-heavy plotting that may have worked well in the source novel by Tim Winton (who also wrote the screenplay), but drains the tension in this adaptation.
Abby and Dora (Radha Mitchell...
Abby and Dora (Radha Mitchell...
- 9/18/2022
- by Soham Gadre
- The Film Stage
“Take a good close look at what we’re fighting for,” says Mia Wasikowska’s oceanographer in “Blueback,” as she scans the Australian bay where she grew up. She’s talking to a colleague, even as writer-director Robert Connolly (“Paper Planes”) is really saying the same thing to us.
Connolly has turned Tim Winton’s 1997 novella into his own environmental cri de coeur — premiering at the Toronto Film Festival — and while the specifics can get a bit clunky, his passion drives our interest all the way to the end.
The end is where we begin, actually, with Wasikowska’s Abby getting a call while she’s working. Her aging mother, Dora (Liz Alexander), has had a stroke, and Abby has to rush back to remote Longboat Bay (Western Australia’s Bremer Bay stands in for the fictional coast) to care for her.
Also Read:
‘Judy & Punch’ Film Review: Provocative...
Connolly has turned Tim Winton’s 1997 novella into his own environmental cri de coeur — premiering at the Toronto Film Festival — and while the specifics can get a bit clunky, his passion drives our interest all the way to the end.
The end is where we begin, actually, with Wasikowska’s Abby getting a call while she’s working. Her aging mother, Dora (Liz Alexander), has had a stroke, and Abby has to rush back to remote Longboat Bay (Western Australia’s Bremer Bay stands in for the fictional coast) to care for her.
Also Read:
‘Judy & Punch’ Film Review: Provocative...
- 9/16/2022
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
"The only way to make sure that he's safe - is to keep him a secret." And to save the reef!! Roadshow Films in Australia has revealed the first official Australian trailer for the film Blueback, a nature drama opening Down Under this summer. The film is premiering at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival this month, hence the new trailer out for its upcoming premiere. An inspiring story for the whole family, Tim Winton's best-selling novel comes to life on the big screen. The latest film from The Dry director Robert Connolly, starring Mia Wasikowska as Abby. The story follows Abby, a young girl who initially befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When she's older, Abby realizes that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, and takes on poachers to save her friend. The film also stars Radha Mitchell, Ilsa Fogg (as the younger Abby), Liz Alexander,...
- 9/7/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Abacus Media Rights Parent Amcomri Entertaiment Buys Flame Media Program Assets For 2.4M
Amcomri Entertainment has paid C3M (2.4M) for the assets of UK-Australian factual TV distributor Flame Media’s assets. The library comprises around 2,200 hours and more than 500 titles. Flame will be integrated into Amcomri’s TV sales arm Abacus Media Rights, with its staff reporting to Abacus Managing Director Jonathan Ford. The deal comes 15 months after Flam founder John Caldon passed away. Flame’s key titles include Outback Truckers and Outback Opal Hunters from Prospero Productions, The Moors Murders from Map TV, and Life in Colour with David Attenborough from Humble Bee Films and SeaLight Pictures. Upcoming titles including New Zealand from a Train from Making Movies and Ningaloo with novelist Tim Winton from Artemis Productions. “We have the utmost admiration for the high-quality business and senior management team that Mr. Caldon assembled over the previous 12 years,...
Amcomri Entertainment has paid C3M (2.4M) for the assets of UK-Australian factual TV distributor Flame Media’s assets. The library comprises around 2,200 hours and more than 500 titles. Flame will be integrated into Amcomri’s TV sales arm Abacus Media Rights, with its staff reporting to Abacus Managing Director Jonathan Ford. The deal comes 15 months after Flam founder John Caldon passed away. Flame’s key titles include Outback Truckers and Outback Opal Hunters from Prospero Productions, The Moors Murders from Map TV, and Life in Colour with David Attenborough from Humble Bee Films and SeaLight Pictures. Upcoming titles including New Zealand from a Train from Making Movies and Ningaloo with novelist Tim Winton from Artemis Productions. “We have the utmost admiration for the high-quality business and senior management team that Mr. Caldon assembled over the previous 12 years,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Eric Bana and Robert Connolly Reunite for ‘Force of Nature,’ Following Australian Hit Film ‘The Dry’
Director Robert Connolly and star Eric Bana are reuniting for a detective film based on the novel “Force of Nature,” set in the Australian wilderness.
Connolly and Bana were previously teamed on Australian smash hit movie “The Dry,” which like “Force of Nature” was adapted from a novel by Jane Harper. They also worked together on “Blueback,” a family-friendly, ecologically activist celebration of the natural world, adapted from a Tim Winton novella.
“Force of Nature” sees five women take part in a corporate hiking retreat, with only four coming out on the other side. Federal agents Aaron Falk (Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor) and Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie) head deep into the Victorian mountain ranges to investigate, in hopes of finding their whistle-blowing informant still alive.
Production is now underway and will take place entirely within Victoria state, primarily in the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley and the Otways.
The film is a Made Up Stories...
Connolly and Bana were previously teamed on Australian smash hit movie “The Dry,” which like “Force of Nature” was adapted from a novel by Jane Harper. They also worked together on “Blueback,” a family-friendly, ecologically activist celebration of the natural world, adapted from a Tim Winton novella.
“Force of Nature” sees five women take part in a corporate hiking retreat, with only four coming out on the other side. Federal agents Aaron Falk (Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor) and Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie) head deep into the Victorian mountain ranges to investigate, in hopes of finding their whistle-blowing informant still alive.
Production is now underway and will take place entirely within Victoria state, primarily in the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley and the Otways.
The film is a Made Up Stories...
- 5/17/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Simon Baker, star of CBS’ The Mentalist, has partnered with MGM International Television Productions.
The actor and director, who made his directorial debut in 2017 with Breath, an adaptation of Tim Winton’s novel, has struck a multi-year, first-look deal with the production company behind series including Epix’s From and Peacock’s Last Light.
The deal will see Baker, who also starred in The Devil Wears Prada, develop scripted projects with MGM with an international focus, with an eye for him to director and/or star.
Other on-screen roles include LA Confidential, Margin Call and CBS’ The Guardian. He recently starred in and exec produced High Ground, directed by Stephen Johnson, and starred in Blaze from Del Kathryn Barton.
On the scripted side, MGM is also behind international series such as Amazon’s El Fin del Amor and Shelter, Epix’s Billy the Kid, HBO Max’s Mariachis and France Television’s The Reunion.
The actor and director, who made his directorial debut in 2017 with Breath, an adaptation of Tim Winton’s novel, has struck a multi-year, first-look deal with the production company behind series including Epix’s From and Peacock’s Last Light.
The deal will see Baker, who also starred in The Devil Wears Prada, develop scripted projects with MGM with an international focus, with an eye for him to director and/or star.
Other on-screen roles include LA Confidential, Margin Call and CBS’ The Guardian. He recently starred in and exec produced High Ground, directed by Stephen Johnson, and starred in Blaze from Del Kathryn Barton.
On the scripted side, MGM is also behind international series such as Amazon’s El Fin del Amor and Shelter, Epix’s Billy the Kid, HBO Max’s Mariachis and France Television’s The Reunion.
- 2/17/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sean Keenan (The Power of the Dog), Shannon Berry (The Wilds) and Tyroe Muhafidin (Amazon’s Lord of the Rings)—a trio of up-and-coming actors out of Australia—have signed with Brave Artists Management’s Karli Doumanis for representation.
Keenan is an Aacta Award nominee who recently appeared in Jane Campion’s acclaimed Netflix pic The Power of the Dog and Justin Kurzel’s award winner Nitram. The actor will next be seen in the ABC series Barons, along with a show based on the 2002 Bali bombings, which is currently in production. He has also featured on the film side in such titles as Nim’s Island, The True History of the Kelly Gang, Strangerland, Australia Day, Hard Target 2, Is This the Real World and Drift. Keenan made his screen debut at the age of fourteen as the title character in the Australian children’s series Lockie Leonard, based on Tim Winton’s novels,...
Keenan is an Aacta Award nominee who recently appeared in Jane Campion’s acclaimed Netflix pic The Power of the Dog and Justin Kurzel’s award winner Nitram. The actor will next be seen in the ABC series Barons, along with a show based on the 2002 Bali bombings, which is currently in production. He has also featured on the film side in such titles as Nim’s Island, The True History of the Kelly Gang, Strangerland, Australia Day, Hard Target 2, Is This the Real World and Drift. Keenan made his screen debut at the age of fourteen as the title character in the Australian children’s series Lockie Leonard, based on Tim Winton’s novels,...
- 1/5/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Claudia Karvan embarks on a literary adventure to explore the stories that have shaped the nation’s identity in Books That Made Us – a three-part documentary from Blackfella Films premiering on November 23 at 8.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
In the series, Karvan meets Richard Flanagan, Alexis Wright, Helen Garner, Tim Winton, David Malouf, Kate Grenville, Christos Tsiolkas, Thomas Keneally, Liane Moriarty, Trent Dalton, Kim Scott, and Melissa Lucashenko. She discovers the stories behind the stories, the workings of the writers’ imaginations and their motivation to write novels that have been shaped by Australia and, in turn, shaped the country.
Series producer and writer is Jacob Hickey, with producer Darren Dale. The ABC executive producer is Kalita Corrigan.
Developed and produced in association with the ABC, production funding from Screen Australia and produced with the assistance of Film Victoria.
The post ‘Books That Made Us’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
In the series, Karvan meets Richard Flanagan, Alexis Wright, Helen Garner, Tim Winton, David Malouf, Kate Grenville, Christos Tsiolkas, Thomas Keneally, Liane Moriarty, Trent Dalton, Kim Scott, and Melissa Lucashenko. She discovers the stories behind the stories, the workings of the writers’ imaginations and their motivation to write novels that have been shaped by Australia and, in turn, shaped the country.
Series producer and writer is Jacob Hickey, with producer Darren Dale. The ABC executive producer is Kalita Corrigan.
Developed and produced in association with the ABC, production funding from Screen Australia and produced with the assistance of Film Victoria.
The post ‘Books That Made Us’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
- 10/28/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Emily Brontë is the latest author to pique the interest of Arenamedia, with production starting on Frances O’Connor’s directorial debut, Emily, in the UK.
Having recently adapted the work of Jane Harper for The Dry, with plans to do the same for Tim Winton’s Blueback, Robert Connolly’s company will turn its attention to the life of the Wuthering Heights author.
O’Connor, most recently seen on screen in Sky UK/Foxtel’s The End, also penned the script for the film, which tells Brontë’s origin story.
Emma Mackey (Sex Education) leads a cast that includes Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Invisible Man), Alexandra Dowling (The Musketeers), Amelia Gething (The Spanish Princess), as well as Gemma Jones (Rocketman), and Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty).
Robert Connolly and Robert Patterson will produce for Arenamedia, alongside David Barron (Harry Potter franchise) and Piers Tempest (Military Wives).
Backers include Ingenious Media,...
Having recently adapted the work of Jane Harper for The Dry, with plans to do the same for Tim Winton’s Blueback, Robert Connolly’s company will turn its attention to the life of the Wuthering Heights author.
O’Connor, most recently seen on screen in Sky UK/Foxtel’s The End, also penned the script for the film, which tells Brontë’s origin story.
Emma Mackey (Sex Education) leads a cast that includes Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Invisible Man), Alexandra Dowling (The Musketeers), Amelia Gething (The Spanish Princess), as well as Gemma Jones (Rocketman), and Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty).
Robert Connolly and Robert Patterson will produce for Arenamedia, alongside David Barron (Harry Potter franchise) and Piers Tempest (Military Wives).
Backers include Ingenious Media,...
- 5/4/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Richard Kadrey, author of the fantasy book series “Sandman Slim,” has written an original screenplay called “Dark West” that will be adapted into a movie by “Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead” writer-director Kiah Roache-Turner.
Chris Goldberg’s Winterlight Pictures has optioned “Dark West” and set Roache-Turner to write the next draft of the script. Roache-Turner is eyeing to direct the film in his native Australia. Kadrey is also working on turning “Dark West” into a graphic novel.
“Dark West” is a vampire revenge thriller set on the highways of Texas that follows two car thieves who accidentally T-bone a pair of vampires in the middle of the night. The story is in the vein of the classic ’80s horror films “The Hitcher” and Kathryn Bigelow’s “Near Dark.”
The idea for “Dark West” came about after Kadrey’s “Sandman Slim” book series was optioned by Goldberg in his role as...
Chris Goldberg’s Winterlight Pictures has optioned “Dark West” and set Roache-Turner to write the next draft of the script. Roache-Turner is eyeing to direct the film in his native Australia. Kadrey is also working on turning “Dark West” into a graphic novel.
“Dark West” is a vampire revenge thriller set on the highways of Texas that follows two car thieves who accidentally T-bone a pair of vampires in the middle of the night. The story is in the vein of the classic ’80s horror films “The Hitcher” and Kathryn Bigelow’s “Near Dark.”
The idea for “Dark West” came about after Kadrey’s “Sandman Slim” book series was optioned by Goldberg in his role as...
- 3/5/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
‘Dirty John’ actor Eric Bana and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ star Mia Wasikowska have joined the production ‘Blueback’ as principal photography begins in Australia.
Adapted for the screen by writer-director Robert Connolly from Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name. The film centres on Abby, a child who befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When Abby realises that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, and takes on poachers to save her friend. There starts her life-long journey to save the world’s coral reefs.
Also in news – Elisabeth Moss joins Oscar Isaac and Jake Gyllanhaal on the making of ‘The Godfather’ feature
Wasikowska will take on the role of Abby while Bana will play Macka. Also on the cast are Radha Mitchell as Dora. Ariel Donoghue and Ilsa Fogg will make their feature film debuts playing...
Adapted for the screen by writer-director Robert Connolly from Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name. The film centres on Abby, a child who befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When Abby realises that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, and takes on poachers to save her friend. There starts her life-long journey to save the world’s coral reefs.
Also in news – Elisabeth Moss joins Oscar Isaac and Jake Gyllanhaal on the making of ‘The Godfather’ feature
Wasikowska will take on the role of Abby while Bana will play Macka. Also on the cast are Radha Mitchell as Dora. Ariel Donoghue and Ilsa Fogg will make their feature film debuts playing...
- 2/16/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Australian actor Eric Bana (Hulk, Funny People) has signed on to star in the ecologically themed family film Blueback from filmmaker Robert Connolly. The duo recently worked together on crime drama The Dry, which is the biggest film of 2021 so far at the Australian box office.
Blueback is described as a family-friendly celebration of the natural world. Connolly has been developing the project, which he also wrote, for over 20 years. The film is loosely based on Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name.
The film tells the story of a girl who befriends a wild blue groper ...
Blueback is described as a family-friendly celebration of the natural world. Connolly has been developing the project, which he also wrote, for over 20 years. The film is loosely based on Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name.
The film tells the story of a girl who befriends a wild blue groper ...
- 2/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Australian actor Eric Bana (Hulk, Funny People) has signed on to star in the ecologically themed family film Blueback from filmmaker Robert Connolly. The duo recently worked together on crime drama The Dry, which is the biggest film of 2021 so far at the Australian box office.
Blueback is described as a family-friendly celebration of the natural world. Connolly has been developing the project, which he also wrote, for over 20 years. The film is loosely based on Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name.
The film tells the story of a girl who befriends a wild blue groper ...
Blueback is described as a family-friendly celebration of the natural world. Connolly has been developing the project, which he also wrote, for over 20 years. The film is loosely based on Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name.
The film tells the story of a girl who befriends a wild blue groper ...
- 2/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Director Robert Connolly (“Balibo”) and star Eric Bana, both currently riding high at the Australian box office with “The Dry,” will reunite on “Blueback,” a film billed as a family-friendly, ecologically activist celebration of the natural world.
Connolly has been developing the project for more than two decades. At one stage it was envisaged that actor-director Rowan Woods (“The Boys”) would direct the adaptation.
The film is now moving into production with filming set in two of the remotest places on the continent: Bremer Bay and Ningaloo Reef, in West Australia. Roadshow Films will release the picture in Australia and New Zealand, and the U.K.’s HanWay Films will handle rights sales in all other territories.
The film is adapted by Connolly from Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name. The story focuses on a girl who befriends a wild blue groper while diving.
Connolly has been developing the project for more than two decades. At one stage it was envisaged that actor-director Rowan Woods (“The Boys”) would direct the adaptation.
The film is now moving into production with filming set in two of the remotest places on the continent: Bremer Bay and Ningaloo Reef, in West Australia. Roadshow Films will release the picture in Australia and New Zealand, and the U.K.’s HanWay Films will handle rights sales in all other territories.
The film is adapted by Connolly from Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name. The story focuses on a girl who befriends a wild blue groper while diving.
- 2/16/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Eric Bana and Robert Connolly are set to reunite on a new feature adaptation, this time taking on Tim Winton’s Blueback.
Fresh from the success of The Dry, which is approaching $20 million at the box office, Connolly has begun filming for his latest project in Western Australia, assembling a similarly strong cast.
Mia Wasikowska will play main character Abby alongside newcomers Ariel Donoghue and Ilsa Fogg, who will portray the younger Abby.
They are joined by Radha Mitchell, Liz Alexander, Clarence Ryan, Pedrea Jackson, Erik Thomson and Bana.
Set on the coast of Wa, the story centres on Abby, a child who befriends a magnificent wild groper while diving.
When Abby realises that the fish is under threat, she must take on poachers to save her friend.
Writer-director Connolly produces under his Arenamedia banner, together with Liz Kearney and James Grandison.
Blueback has received investment from Screen Australia, in association with Screenwest,...
Fresh from the success of The Dry, which is approaching $20 million at the box office, Connolly has begun filming for his latest project in Western Australia, assembling a similarly strong cast.
Mia Wasikowska will play main character Abby alongside newcomers Ariel Donoghue and Ilsa Fogg, who will portray the younger Abby.
They are joined by Radha Mitchell, Liz Alexander, Clarence Ryan, Pedrea Jackson, Erik Thomson and Bana.
Set on the coast of Wa, the story centres on Abby, a child who befriends a magnificent wild groper while diving.
When Abby realises that the fish is under threat, she must take on poachers to save her friend.
Writer-director Connolly produces under his Arenamedia banner, together with Liz Kearney and James Grandison.
Blueback has received investment from Screen Australia, in association with Screenwest,...
- 2/16/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Filming has begun in Australia with Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell and Eric Bana.
HanWay Films has acquired world sales rights to Robert Connolly’s upcoming family ecological drama Blueback, starring Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell and Eric Bana.
The London-based sales company will begin discussing the project with buyers during the virtual European Film Market (EFM), set to run March 1-5.
Filming has begun in Australia on Blueback, which Connolly has adapted from Tim Winton’s novella of the same name. Shooting will take place in two of the most remote parts of Australia: Bremer Bay and Ningaloo Reef.
The production...
HanWay Films has acquired world sales rights to Robert Connolly’s upcoming family ecological drama Blueback, starring Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell and Eric Bana.
The London-based sales company will begin discussing the project with buyers during the virtual European Film Market (EFM), set to run March 1-5.
Filming has begun in Australia on Blueback, which Connolly has adapted from Tim Winton’s novella of the same name. Shooting will take place in two of the most remote parts of Australia: Bremer Bay and Ningaloo Reef.
The production...
- 2/15/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell and Eric Bana are starring in Australian family drama Blueback alongside newcomers Ariel Donoghue and Ilsa Fogg.
Pic focuses on Abby (played by both Donoghue and Fogg at different ages), a child who befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When Abby realizes that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, and takes on poachers to save her friend. There starts her life-long journey to save the world’s coral reefs.
Robert Connolly is directing, reuniting with Bana after The Dry. Robert Connolly has adapted the screenplay from Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s novella of the same name. Filming will take place in two of the most remote parts of Australia: Bremer Bay and Ningaloo Reef.
Supporting cast includes Liz Alexander as older Dora, Kenyan-Australian newcomer Albert Mwangi as Gitundu and Clarence Ryan as Briggs.
Roadshow Films will...
Pic focuses on Abby (played by both Donoghue and Fogg at different ages), a child who befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When Abby realizes that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, and takes on poachers to save her friend. There starts her life-long journey to save the world’s coral reefs.
Robert Connolly is directing, reuniting with Bana after The Dry. Robert Connolly has adapted the screenplay from Booker Prize nominee Tim Winton’s novella of the same name. Filming will take place in two of the most remote parts of Australia: Bremer Bay and Ningaloo Reef.
Supporting cast includes Liz Alexander as older Dora, Kenyan-Australian newcomer Albert Mwangi as Gitundu and Clarence Ryan as Briggs.
Roadshow Films will...
- 2/15/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Screen Australia has announced more than $2.5 million in production funding for 12 documentaries; five through the commissioned program, six through the Producer program and one via the Indigenous department.
The agency also re-confirmed today that the existing documentary guidelines, including Pep, will remain in place until the end of 2020-21.
Despite consulting widely with the sector as to how to revamp the programs back in 2019, Screen Australia made the decision back in April to delay changes given the disruption of Covid-19 on the sector. A timeline for rolling out the new guidelines is expected in due course.
Among the projects announced today include a number exploring the recent devastating bushfire season, including ABC series Rebuilding Mallacoota, online doco Black Summer, and feature The Front from director Eddie Martin, which will weave user-generated first hand footage with news coverage.
The project funded via the Indigenous department is the recently announced Nitv feature documentary Incarceration Nation.
The agency also re-confirmed today that the existing documentary guidelines, including Pep, will remain in place until the end of 2020-21.
Despite consulting widely with the sector as to how to revamp the programs back in 2019, Screen Australia made the decision back in April to delay changes given the disruption of Covid-19 on the sector. A timeline for rolling out the new guidelines is expected in due course.
Among the projects announced today include a number exploring the recent devastating bushfire season, including ABC series Rebuilding Mallacoota, online doco Black Summer, and feature The Front from director Eddie Martin, which will weave user-generated first hand footage with news coverage.
The project funded via the Indigenous department is the recently announced Nitv feature documentary Incarceration Nation.
- 12/9/2020
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
‘Dirt Music.’
The launches last weekend of Gregor Jordan’s Dirt Music and Alister Grierson’s Bloody Hell underline the challenges facing independent films in a theatrical market that is severely weakened by the Victorian shutdown, limits on seating capacity and the absence of Hollywood tentpoles.
Universal mounted a substantial marketing campaign for Jordan’s romantic drama based on the Tim Winton novel, while Grierson’s dark comedic thriller opened on 50 screens across the Event Cinemas, Birch Carroll & Coyle and Greater Union circuits.
Starring Kelly Macdonald, Garrett Hedlund and David Wenham, Dirt Music grossed $188,000 on 201 screens and $300,000 including previews, more than a year after its world premiere in Toronto.
Exhibitors were disappointed. “I would definitely have expected more from a high profile Aussie film based on a best seller,” Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Gm Alex Temesvari tells If.
Majestic Cinemas’ CEO Kieren Dell says: “Dirt Music has been struggling; I...
The launches last weekend of Gregor Jordan’s Dirt Music and Alister Grierson’s Bloody Hell underline the challenges facing independent films in a theatrical market that is severely weakened by the Victorian shutdown, limits on seating capacity and the absence of Hollywood tentpoles.
Universal mounted a substantial marketing campaign for Jordan’s romantic drama based on the Tim Winton novel, while Grierson’s dark comedic thriller opened on 50 screens across the Event Cinemas, Birch Carroll & Coyle and Greater Union circuits.
Starring Kelly Macdonald, Garrett Hedlund and David Wenham, Dirt Music grossed $188,000 on 201 screens and $300,000 including previews, more than a year after its world premiere in Toronto.
Exhibitors were disappointed. “I would definitely have expected more from a high profile Aussie film based on a best seller,” Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Gm Alex Temesvari tells If.
Majestic Cinemas’ CEO Kieren Dell says: “Dirt Music has been struggling; I...
- 10/12/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
The film-makers have shot for profundity and lyricism to match the Australian classic, but ended up with something flavourless – and occasionally cloying
Garrett Hedlund takes his shirt off a lot in the romantic movie Dirt Music – his creamy-skinned, chiselled-featured body seemingly belonging to a gene pool combining Errol Flynn with a Hemsworth brother. The American actor, who boasts an impressively convincing Australian accent, screams “beach hunk” in no uncertain terms. Some of the film’s problems arise when the script – adapted by director Gregor Jordan from Tim Winton’s Miles Franklin award-winning novel of the same name – requires his character to scream other things too, such as “mysterious person with a traumatic past” and “broken, emotionally reticent man”.
The narrative initially appears to be unfolding from the perspective of former nurse Georgie, who is the girlfriend of a wealthy fisherman (David Wenham) – although their relationship is going through a bad patch.
Garrett Hedlund takes his shirt off a lot in the romantic movie Dirt Music – his creamy-skinned, chiselled-featured body seemingly belonging to a gene pool combining Errol Flynn with a Hemsworth brother. The American actor, who boasts an impressively convincing Australian accent, screams “beach hunk” in no uncertain terms. Some of the film’s problems arise when the script – adapted by director Gregor Jordan from Tim Winton’s Miles Franklin award-winning novel of the same name – requires his character to scream other things too, such as “mysterious person with a traumatic past” and “broken, emotionally reticent man”.
The narrative initially appears to be unfolding from the perspective of former nurse Georgie, who is the girlfriend of a wealthy fisherman (David Wenham) – although their relationship is going through a bad patch.
- 10/8/2020
- by Luke Buckmaster
- The Guardian - Film News
Yassmin Abdel-Magied (Photo credit: Daniel Boud).
Goalpost Pictures has optioned two children’s novels by Yassmin Abdel-Magied, a Sudanese-Australian writer, broadcaster and social advocate.
Published by Penguin Random House Australia last year, You Must Be Layla follows 13 year-old Layla as she leaves her Islamic school in Brisbane after getting a scholarship at a private school where she is the first and only child to wear a Muslim headscarf.
In the first week she gets suspended for fighting back against a prejudiced bully so she decides the only way to prove herself is to win a big regional robotics competition with her very ambitious invention.
Due for release next year, the sequel Listen, Layla follows the protagonist as she looks forward to spending the holidays with her friends and designing a Grand Designs Tourismo invention.
Her plans are interrupted when her grandmother in Sudan falls ill and the family rush to be with her.
Goalpost Pictures has optioned two children’s novels by Yassmin Abdel-Magied, a Sudanese-Australian writer, broadcaster and social advocate.
Published by Penguin Random House Australia last year, You Must Be Layla follows 13 year-old Layla as she leaves her Islamic school in Brisbane after getting a scholarship at a private school where she is the first and only child to wear a Muslim headscarf.
In the first week she gets suspended for fighting back against a prejudiced bully so she decides the only way to prove herself is to win a big regional robotics competition with her very ambitious invention.
Due for release next year, the sequel Listen, Layla follows the protagonist as she looks forward to spending the holidays with her friends and designing a Grand Designs Tourismo invention.
Her plans are interrupted when her grandmother in Sudan falls ill and the family rush to be with her.
- 9/13/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
So much of Dirt Music, directed by Gregor Jordan, feels like it happens on the fringes of a more interesting narrative. Set in Western Australia, the film centers on the star-crossed romance of Georgie (Kelly Macdonald) and Lu (Garret Hedlund).
Based on the novel by Tim Winton and adapted for the screen by Jack Thorne, Georgie and Lu meet through a chance encounter out in the sea. She’s out for an early swim, he’s pulling in a disallowed haul of fish. Soon after, the two can’t keep their hands off each other. The problem is that Lu is a poacher and Georgie is married to Jim Buckridge (David Wenham), who runs the fishing business in the port town of White Point.
Conflict arises as word of Georgie and Lu makes way around the neighborhood, and the fractured pasts of our lead characters begin to reveal themselves. Lu...
Based on the novel by Tim Winton and adapted for the screen by Jack Thorne, Georgie and Lu meet through a chance encounter out in the sea. She’s out for an early swim, he’s pulling in a disallowed haul of fish. Soon after, the two can’t keep their hands off each other. The problem is that Lu is a poacher and Georgie is married to Jim Buckridge (David Wenham), who runs the fishing business in the port town of White Point.
Conflict arises as word of Georgie and Lu makes way around the neighborhood, and the fractured pasts of our lead characters begin to reveal themselves. Lu...
- 7/21/2020
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
July 17 is the weekend that Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” was supposed to open, but in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, the world has folded back on itself like a scene from one of the director’s mind-benders. As infection rates hit new highs in the U.S., theaters postpone or reverse their plans to reopen, and movies that planned to follow “Tenet” scramble to later spots on the calendar.
That leaves streaming platforms and on-demand services to once again pick up the slack, offering a genre-spanning selection of new offerings. There are showbiz documentaries — including one spotlighting Broadway legend Kaye Ballard, and another about animation mavens Spike and Mike — as well as Sundance-blessed indie offerings such as “Dirt Music” (with Garrett Hedlund) and “The Sunlit Night” (starring Jenny Slate).
On Netflix, there’s “The Best Years of Our Lives” meets “Boyhood” in the decade-spanning, New York Times-produced documentary “Father Soldier Son,...
That leaves streaming platforms and on-demand services to once again pick up the slack, offering a genre-spanning selection of new offerings. There are showbiz documentaries — including one spotlighting Broadway legend Kaye Ballard, and another about animation mavens Spike and Mike — as well as Sundance-blessed indie offerings such as “Dirt Music” (with Garrett Hedlund) and “The Sunlit Night” (starring Jenny Slate).
On Netflix, there’s “The Best Years of Our Lives” meets “Boyhood” in the decade-spanning, New York Times-produced documentary “Father Soldier Son,...
- 7/17/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Vaclav Marhoul’s adaptation of Jerzy Kosinsky’s novel The Painted Bird has been on quite a journey. The film took more than a decade to be made and it premiered at the 2019 Venice Film Festival where it was honored with the Cinema for Unicef Award before debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival. The pic was also Czech Republic’s international Oscar entry for 2019. Now, the black and white drama starring Stella Skarsgard, Harvey Keitel, Julian Sands and Udo Kier hits VOD today.
Shot on 35mm in CinemaScope, The Painted Bird is set in Eastern Europe towards the end of World War II. The story follows the journey of a character referred to as “The Boy,” who is entrusted by his persecuted parents to an elderly foster mother. When the old woman dies, The Boy ventures off on his own, wandering through the countryside. As he struggles for survival,...
Shot on 35mm in CinemaScope, The Painted Bird is set in Eastern Europe towards the end of World War II. The story follows the journey of a character referred to as “The Boy,” who is entrusted by his persecuted parents to an elderly foster mother. When the old woman dies, The Boy ventures off on his own, wandering through the countryside. As he struggles for survival,...
- 7/17/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Dave Kajganich, the writer and producer who created the first season of AMC’s “The Terror” and penned Luca Guadagnino “Suspiria,” has signed an overall deal with Fox 21 Television Studios.
As part of the deal, Kajganich will work with Fox 21 to create, develop and produce series for network, cable and streaming platforms. His current projects include writing a third feature for Guadagnino (the two also collaborated on “A Bigger Splash”) and adapting Tim Winton’s novel “The Riders” into a feature for Ridley Scott.
“Dave Kajganich has been one of our favorite writers for some time now, and one of the people we are most often asked about by the platforms around town. As soon as ‘The Terror’ ended its first season, we began talks with Dave and his reps. We’re really excited about the shows that Dave is creating now, and even more so about his...
As part of the deal, Kajganich will work with Fox 21 to create, develop and produce series for network, cable and streaming platforms. His current projects include writing a third feature for Guadagnino (the two also collaborated on “A Bigger Splash”) and adapting Tim Winton’s novel “The Riders” into a feature for Ridley Scott.
“Dave Kajganich has been one of our favorite writers for some time now, and one of the people we are most often asked about by the platforms around town. As soon as ‘The Terror’ ended its first season, we began talks with Dave and his reps. We’re really excited about the shows that Dave is creating now, and even more so about his...
- 7/15/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
"You've got your life, I've got mine." Samuel Goldwyn Films has unveiled a new Us official trailer for the emotional romantic drama Dirt Music from Australia, the latest film from filmmaker Gregor Jordan. It's scheduled for Us release on VOD in July. Adapted from the novel by Tim Winton, the stunning landscape of Western Australia is the backdrop for an impassioned tale of love and grief. Talented actress Kelly MacDonald stars as Georgie, who is stuck in an unhappy relationship with a local fisherman. She goes off on a journey of self-discovery and meets a former musician named Lu Fox, played by Garret Hedlund. This also stars David Wenham, Aaron Pedersen, Dan Wyllie, Chris Haywood, and Ava Caryofyllis. I'm not sure if it's just the trailers or what, but this looks like such a damn good, impassioned, beautiful film about listening to your heart. A must watch trailer. Here's the...
- 6/11/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Robert Connolly.
In the 25 years since he graduated from the Australian Film Television and Radio School Robert Connolly has never been more excited about the future of the film industry.
Reflecting his boundless optimism, his company Arenamedia’s production and development slate is the biggest and most ambitious in its 15-year history.
“The future path for us is having many and varied collaborations and partnerships and not trying to be proprietorial,” Connolly tells If.
“Our creative team are backing our love and passion for cinema, without disparaging in any way this amazing era we’re in with television.
“We’re excited by the future of cinema. We think there will be innovation and new ways of watching cinema.”
The company is collaborating with an unprecedented number of established and emerging writers and directors. The latter cohort includes the Strange Colours creative team of Alena Lodkina and Kate Laurie, Zambian-Australian writer...
In the 25 years since he graduated from the Australian Film Television and Radio School Robert Connolly has never been more excited about the future of the film industry.
Reflecting his boundless optimism, his company Arenamedia’s production and development slate is the biggest and most ambitious in its 15-year history.
“The future path for us is having many and varied collaborations and partnerships and not trying to be proprietorial,” Connolly tells If.
“Our creative team are backing our love and passion for cinema, without disparaging in any way this amazing era we’re in with television.
“We’re excited by the future of cinema. We think there will be innovation and new ways of watching cinema.”
The company is collaborating with an unprecedented number of established and emerging writers and directors. The latter cohort includes the Strange Colours creative team of Alena Lodkina and Kate Laurie, Zambian-Australian writer...
- 5/31/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
"I already felt like a ghost... Figured why not become one." Universal Pictures Australia has released the first official trailer for a heart-wrenching romantic drama titled Dirt Music, the latest film from Australian filmmaker Gregor Jordan. Adapted from the novel by Tim Winton, the stunning landscape of Western Australia is the backdrop for an impassioned tale of love and grief. Talented Aussie actress Kelly MacDonald stars as Georgie, who is stuck in an unhappy relationship with a local fisherman. She goes off on a journey of self-discovery and meets a former musician named Lu Fox, played by Garret Hedlund. The film also stars David Wenham, Aaron Pedersen, Dan Wyllie, Chris Haywood, and Ava Caryofyllis. This actually looks way better than the average romance, not only with some gorgeous cinematography, but heartfelt performances and a tragic but meaningful story. Here's the official Australian trailer (+ poster) for Gregor Jordan's Dirt Music, direct...
- 5/25/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Gregor Jordan on the set of ‘Dirt Music’. (Photo: Kerry Brown)
Once cinemas reopen, Universal Pictures intends to give Dirt Music a wide release – something director Gregor Jordan is thankful for.
Shot in Western Australia and based on Tim Winton’s Miles Franklin-winning novel, the film made its world at the Toronto International Film Festival last September.
It stars Kelly Macdonald as Georgie, a sometime sailor, diver and nurse who is stranded in a remote fishing town with Jim (David Wenham), a man she doesn’t love, and his young sons whose dead mother she can never replace. A reckless moment leads Georgie to an intense, sexually charged affair with Lu Fox (Garrett Hedlund), an enigmatic loner, musician and poacher who is traumatised by a tragic accident from his past.
When Lu retreats into the wilderness, Georgie embarks on a journey to bring him back with the unlikely help of Jim,...
Once cinemas reopen, Universal Pictures intends to give Dirt Music a wide release – something director Gregor Jordan is thankful for.
Shot in Western Australia and based on Tim Winton’s Miles Franklin-winning novel, the film made its world at the Toronto International Film Festival last September.
It stars Kelly Macdonald as Georgie, a sometime sailor, diver and nurse who is stranded in a remote fishing town with Jim (David Wenham), a man she doesn’t love, and his young sons whose dead mother she can never replace. A reckless moment leads Georgie to an intense, sexually charged affair with Lu Fox (Garrett Hedlund), an enigmatic loner, musician and poacher who is traumatised by a tragic accident from his past.
When Lu retreats into the wilderness, Georgie embarks on a journey to bring him back with the unlikely help of Jim,...
- 5/21/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Behind-the-scenes of ABC’s ‘The Heights’. (Photo: Megan Lewis)
Screenwest has launched a $2.5 million sustainability package, designed to temper the crisis facing the industry as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Western Australian industry has already lost more than $1 million in revenue and seen nearly 2,700 job losses, according to an initial impact survey. If the crisis extends to September, the loss of income may extend to $7 million.
Among the impacted Wa-based productions are Robert Connolly’s Blueback, a feature film adaptation of the Tim Winton novel due to start pre-production mid-year, and Jub Clerc’s coming-of-age movie Sweet As, to be produced by Arenamedia’s Liz Kearney.
Screenwest’s package is funded through a repurposing of existing Lotterywest funding, and will be delivered in addition to funding already committed to current projects.
It is particularly focused on screen practitioners’ activities over the next six months, and has been designed in response to industry feedback.
Screenwest has launched a $2.5 million sustainability package, designed to temper the crisis facing the industry as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Western Australian industry has already lost more than $1 million in revenue and seen nearly 2,700 job losses, according to an initial impact survey. If the crisis extends to September, the loss of income may extend to $7 million.
Among the impacted Wa-based productions are Robert Connolly’s Blueback, a feature film adaptation of the Tim Winton novel due to start pre-production mid-year, and Jub Clerc’s coming-of-age movie Sweet As, to be produced by Arenamedia’s Liz Kearney.
Screenwest’s package is funded through a repurposing of existing Lotterywest funding, and will be delivered in addition to funding already committed to current projects.
It is particularly focused on screen practitioners’ activities over the next six months, and has been designed in response to industry feedback.
- 3/31/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Wa-shot (clockwise) ‘Mystery Road,’ ‘Thalu,’ ‘100% Wolf,’ ‘The Heights’ and ‘Itch’.
The Western Australian screen industry has already lost more than $1 million in revenue with nearly 2,700 job losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.
That’s according to the initial findings of Screenwest’s Wa screen industry Covid-19 impact survey.
If the crisis is prolonged, the study estimates the total loss of income to September 2020 at $7 million. The estimated current loss of income is $1.096 million with 2,676 job losses.
In 2018/2019 Screenwest’s funding triggered a 12 per cent spike in production in the state. CEO Peter ‘Willie’ Rowe tells If: “The second half of this year was looking really strong for the sector, both in documentary and drama, before Covid-19.”
Head of production and development Matt Horrocks says: “Once we come out the other side of the pandemic and people are starting to push go on productions and it ramps up really quickly, it...
The Western Australian screen industry has already lost more than $1 million in revenue with nearly 2,700 job losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.
That’s according to the initial findings of Screenwest’s Wa screen industry Covid-19 impact survey.
If the crisis is prolonged, the study estimates the total loss of income to September 2020 at $7 million. The estimated current loss of income is $1.096 million with 2,676 job losses.
In 2018/2019 Screenwest’s funding triggered a 12 per cent spike in production in the state. CEO Peter ‘Willie’ Rowe tells If: “The second half of this year was looking really strong for the sector, both in documentary and drama, before Covid-19.”
Head of production and development Matt Horrocks says: “Once we come out the other side of the pandemic and people are starting to push go on productions and it ramps up really quickly, it...
- 3/26/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Writer Jackie van Beek and director Armagan Ballantyne, who will collaborate on ‘Nude Tuesday’.
Two feature films, one from Robert Connolly and the other a Kiwi-Aussie co-pro penned by The Breaker Upperers’ Jackie van Beek; a ABC TV comedy from Closer Productions; and two online projects are the latest recipients of $3.5 million worth of production funding from Screen Australia.
Connolly, writer/director of box office hit Paper Planes, will return to Western Australia to shoot a feature film adaptation of Tim Winton’s acclaimed novel Blueback, while Nz’s Firefly Productions will join forces with Good Thing Productions to create absurdist dramedy feature Nude Tuesday, directed by Armagan Ballantyne. Erik Thomson teams up with Adelaide’s Closer Productions to produce Yes, Chef! for the ABC, following a notorious celebrity chef who is forced to flee to his hometown in the Adelaide Hills.
Screen Australia head of content Sally Caplan said:...
Two feature films, one from Robert Connolly and the other a Kiwi-Aussie co-pro penned by The Breaker Upperers’ Jackie van Beek; a ABC TV comedy from Closer Productions; and two online projects are the latest recipients of $3.5 million worth of production funding from Screen Australia.
Connolly, writer/director of box office hit Paper Planes, will return to Western Australia to shoot a feature film adaptation of Tim Winton’s acclaimed novel Blueback, while Nz’s Firefly Productions will join forces with Good Thing Productions to create absurdist dramedy feature Nude Tuesday, directed by Armagan Ballantyne. Erik Thomson teams up with Adelaide’s Closer Productions to produce Yes, Chef! for the ABC, following a notorious celebrity chef who is forced to flee to his hometown in the Adelaide Hills.
Screen Australia head of content Sally Caplan said:...
- 1/21/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Set on the stunning coast of Western Australia, arrives Gregor Jordan’s adaption of Tim Winton’s acclaimed novel “Dirt Music.” A romance and mystery, the film follows Georgie (Kelly Macdonald) and Lu’s (Garrett Hedlund) quickly evolving love affair. Married to the jealous fisherman Jim Buckridge (David Wenham), and wondering how he ever swooped off her feet, Georgie lives a loveless and dull marriage.
Continue reading ‘Dirt Music’: Garrett Hedlund & Kelly Macdonald’s Love Affair Is Ruined By A Cheesy, Outlandish Plot [Tiff Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Dirt Music’: Garrett Hedlund & Kelly Macdonald’s Love Affair Is Ruined By A Cheesy, Outlandish Plot [Tiff Review] at The Playlist.
- 9/10/2019
- by Robert Daniels
- The Playlist
Tim Winton’s 2001 novel “Dirt Music” told the story of two haunted loners drawn into a bizarre love triangle in a remote fishing village on the coast of Western Australia. But the novel’s setting was always its most vibrant character, with Winton dissecting and eulogizing the gorgeous, harsh, mythical wildernesses of Australia’s largest state in expansive passages. In that sense, director Gregor Jordan’s adaptation is faithful to Winton’s novel to a fault, working hard to provide postcard-perfect views of Western Australia, while never seeming as engaged with the film’s characters, and here that proves a far bigger obstacle. Centered on characters who act without much in the way of logic, with much of its dialogue confined to clipped bursts of unsatisfying Hemingwayisms, “Dirt Music” is a fine-looking romance that never finds the right key.
The film largely focuses on Georgie (Kelly Macdonald), a former nurse...
The film largely focuses on Georgie (Kelly Macdonald), a former nurse...
- 9/9/2019
- by Andrew Barker
- Variety Film + TV
The only way it could be more clear that ol’ Lu Fox (Garrett Hedlund) is a damaged man is if he hung a sign around his neck that announced “I Am A Damaged Man.” Luckily for the props department, Gregor Jordan’s “Dirt Music” delivers the message with a touch more finesse, introducing the heartbroken fisherman through the eyes of the similarly ruined Georgie (Kelly Macdonald), who simply sees Lu as a kindred spirit. While Georgie is an outcast aching for a place in the world, Lu is a loner by choice and happenstance, though the reasons for their individual untouchable status spring from remarkably similar situations (and people). Inevitably, they fall in love.
Based on Tim Winton’s novel of the same name, the Jack Thorne-penned adaptation winnows down the lyrical love story into a gritty romance that only translates some of the source material’s poetic bent to the big screen.
Based on Tim Winton’s novel of the same name, the Jack Thorne-penned adaptation winnows down the lyrical love story into a gritty romance that only translates some of the source material’s poetic bent to the big screen.
- 9/9/2019
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Alison Whyte in ‘The Kettering Incident’ (Photo: Ben King).
Celebrating 30 years in the acting profession, Alison Whyte is happy to offer advice to young or other aspiring actors.
Perhaps best known for her roles in Network 10’s Playing for Keeps, Foxtel’s The Kettering Incident and Satisfaction and Jocelyn Moorhouse’s The Dressmaker, the Vca graduate proffers these tips:
– Learn to live with rejection and remain optimistic: “It’s easy to get pessimistic if you are unemployed. Isolate one problem and know that it won’t affect the rest of your life.”
– Look after yourself mentally when you are playing roles that require grieving or other deep emotions.
– Don’t think about working overseas until you have a solid list of credits under your belt.
On the subject of mental health, in June Whyte finished performing in the Malthouse Theatre production of Nick Enright and Justin Monjo’s five-hour adaptation of Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet.
Celebrating 30 years in the acting profession, Alison Whyte is happy to offer advice to young or other aspiring actors.
Perhaps best known for her roles in Network 10’s Playing for Keeps, Foxtel’s The Kettering Incident and Satisfaction and Jocelyn Moorhouse’s The Dressmaker, the Vca graduate proffers these tips:
– Learn to live with rejection and remain optimistic: “It’s easy to get pessimistic if you are unemployed. Isolate one problem and know that it won’t affect the rest of your life.”
– Look after yourself mentally when you are playing roles that require grieving or other deep emotions.
– Don’t think about working overseas until you have a solid list of credits under your belt.
On the subject of mental health, in June Whyte finished performing in the Malthouse Theatre production of Nick Enright and Justin Monjo’s five-hour adaptation of Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet.
- 8/22/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Dirt Music’ (Photo courtesy of Tiff)
Gregor Jordan’s Dirt Music will have its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival.
The festival said the “stunning landscape of Western Australia is the backdrop for an impassioned tale of love and grief in Gregor Jordan’s adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Tim Winton, starring Kelly Macdonald, Garrett Hedlund, and David Wenham.”
Produced by Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey of the UK’s Wildgaze Films and Aquarius Films’ Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford, the film will join Justin Kurzel’s True History of the Kelly Gang, Unjoo Moon’s I Am Woman, Daniel Gordon’s The Australian Dream and Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones in the Toronto line-up.
In addition, Eva Orner’s Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator, a Netflix Original production which charts the spectacular rise and scandalous fall of hot-yoga evangelist Bikram Choudhury,...
Gregor Jordan’s Dirt Music will have its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival.
The festival said the “stunning landscape of Western Australia is the backdrop for an impassioned tale of love and grief in Gregor Jordan’s adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Tim Winton, starring Kelly Macdonald, Garrett Hedlund, and David Wenham.”
Produced by Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey of the UK’s Wildgaze Films and Aquarius Films’ Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford, the film will join Justin Kurzel’s True History of the Kelly Gang, Unjoo Moon’s I Am Woman, Daniel Gordon’s The Australian Dream and Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones in the Toronto line-up.
In addition, Eva Orner’s Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator, a Netflix Original production which charts the spectacular rise and scandalous fall of hot-yoga evangelist Bikram Choudhury,...
- 8/13/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Kaarin Fairfax and Chris Haywood in ‘Skewwhiff.’
Chris Haywood is so committed to making a thriller based on the Australian novel The Crossing he has agreed to produce as well as star in the feature film.
First-time feature director James Khehtie sent the novel by B. Michael Radburn to the actor, who loved the premise: Taylor Bridges flees from Victoria to an isolated Tasmanian town to work as a park ranger after his daughter disappeared, triggering the breakdown of his marriage.
When a young girl who was the same age as his daughter vanishes, Bridges, a chronic sleepwalker, begins to wonder what happens when he sleepwalks.
“I did not want to produce but James insisted,” Haywood tells If, recalling that he has served as a producer only once before, on writer-director Peter Watkins’ 1991 feature doc The Media Project, which critiqued Australian media coverage of the first Gulf war.
Radburn has...
Chris Haywood is so committed to making a thriller based on the Australian novel The Crossing he has agreed to produce as well as star in the feature film.
First-time feature director James Khehtie sent the novel by B. Michael Radburn to the actor, who loved the premise: Taylor Bridges flees from Victoria to an isolated Tasmanian town to work as a park ranger after his daughter disappeared, triggering the breakdown of his marriage.
When a young girl who was the same age as his daughter vanishes, Bridges, a chronic sleepwalker, begins to wonder what happens when he sleepwalks.
“I did not want to produce but James insisted,” Haywood tells If, recalling that he has served as a producer only once before, on writer-director Peter Watkins’ 1991 feature doc The Media Project, which critiqued Australian media coverage of the first Gulf war.
Radburn has...
- 5/1/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
James Grandison.
Producer/director Robert Connolly’s Arenamedia is making a formal expansion into Western Australia, setting up a new company office in Perth.
James Grandison has been appointed to oversee the production company’s Wa-based operations, as well as the management of production planning and budgeting across Arenamedia’s full slate.
Robert Connolly said: “It’s an exciting time for Arenamedia and I’m delighted that someone of James’ calibre has joined us. A formal presence in Wa is a logical next step in the company’s evolution. Films such as Paper Planes and before that The Turning were both shot in the West and benefitted from the great talent and dynamic industry that exists there”.
Grandison began his career in Western Australia, however has spent the past 10 years in Melbourne working as a line producer and production manager. His recent credits include Picnic at Hanging Rock, Glitch, Nowhere Boys and Hunters.
Producer/director Robert Connolly’s Arenamedia is making a formal expansion into Western Australia, setting up a new company office in Perth.
James Grandison has been appointed to oversee the production company’s Wa-based operations, as well as the management of production planning and budgeting across Arenamedia’s full slate.
Robert Connolly said: “It’s an exciting time for Arenamedia and I’m delighted that someone of James’ calibre has joined us. A formal presence in Wa is a logical next step in the company’s evolution. Films such as Paper Planes and before that The Turning were both shot in the West and benefitted from the great talent and dynamic industry that exists there”.
Grandison began his career in Western Australia, however has spent the past 10 years in Melbourne working as a line producer and production manager. His recent credits include Picnic at Hanging Rock, Glitch, Nowhere Boys and Hunters.
- 4/2/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Top row (l-r) Polly Staniford, Sarah Shaw, Tania Chambers, Clayton Jacobson; middle: Jason Byrne, Rikki Lea Bestall, Dena Curtis, Liz Watts, Vincent Sheehan, Anna Vincent; bottom: Steve Jaggi, Scott Corfield, Kristian Moliere.
Polly Staniford, Sarah Shaw, Tania Chambers, Kristian Moliere, Liz Watts and Vincent Sheehan are among a delegation of 13 film and television producers who will travel to Los Angeles to meet with more than 30 development companies and streaming services next month.
The mission is led by Ausfilm as part of its annual Partner with Australia producer connection program. The goal is to provide strategic opportunities for Australian producers with commercially viable feature and TV projects that hold international appeal.
The initiative also supports Ausfilm’s corporate membership of screen services businesses by connecting these companies to Us film and television executives and Australian producers. The program runs from April 14-17.
Supported by Create Nsw, Film Victoria, Screen Queensland, the...
Polly Staniford, Sarah Shaw, Tania Chambers, Kristian Moliere, Liz Watts and Vincent Sheehan are among a delegation of 13 film and television producers who will travel to Los Angeles to meet with more than 30 development companies and streaming services next month.
The mission is led by Ausfilm as part of its annual Partner with Australia producer connection program. The goal is to provide strategic opportunities for Australian producers with commercially viable feature and TV projects that hold international appeal.
The initiative also supports Ausfilm’s corporate membership of screen services businesses by connecting these companies to Us film and television executives and Australian producers. The program runs from April 14-17.
Supported by Create Nsw, Film Victoria, Screen Queensland, the...
- 3/14/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Ladies in Black.’
As the Australian feature films and feature docs released in cinemas this year have surpassed the calendar 2017 total exhibitors generally are happy with the diversity of product and the number of titles that have resonated with mainstream audiences.
While some say there have been too many niche and small-scale films, the consensus is that local films overall have held their own in a fragmented theatrical market and in the face of competition for eyeballs from the burgeoning Netflix and Stan.
Their outlook for 2019 is even more optimistic – if distributors and exhibitors are smart with their dating.
Through Wednesday, Oz films and feature docs including holdovers have racked up $54.2 million, according to the Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia (Mpdaa), beating last year’s $49.4 million, which was a market share of 4.1 per cent.
So the industry will finish the year ahead of the 2009 total of $54.8 million. The stand-out...
As the Australian feature films and feature docs released in cinemas this year have surpassed the calendar 2017 total exhibitors generally are happy with the diversity of product and the number of titles that have resonated with mainstream audiences.
While some say there have been too many niche and small-scale films, the consensus is that local films overall have held their own in a fragmented theatrical market and in the face of competition for eyeballs from the burgeoning Netflix and Stan.
Their outlook for 2019 is even more optimistic – if distributors and exhibitors are smart with their dating.
Through Wednesday, Oz films and feature docs including holdovers have racked up $54.2 million, according to the Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia (Mpdaa), beating last year’s $49.4 million, which was a market share of 4.1 per cent.
So the industry will finish the year ahead of the 2009 total of $54.8 million. The stand-out...
- 11/2/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Here’s a racy first look at Garrett Hedlund (Mudbound) and Kelly Macdonald (No Country For Old Men) in Oz-uk drama Dirt Music.
Shoot began last month on director Gregor Jordan’s (Buffalo Soldiers) movie, adapted from Tim Winton’s novel by Jack Thorne (The Aeronauts). Producers are Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey (Brooklyn) of Wildgaze Films and Angie Fielder (Lion) and Polly Staniford (Berlin Syndrome) of Australian outfit Aquarius Films.
The novel charts the illicit romance in a tightly-knit community between a fragile woman named Georgie and a mysterious young poacher. When Georgie’s partner gets wind of the tryst a chase ensues between the two men across Australia’s remote and unforgiving terrain. David Wenham also stars.
Film4 developed the project with Wildgaze Films and are financing along with Screen Australia, the West Australian Regional Film Fund, Screenwest and Ingenious Media. Cornerstone Films is handling international sales at the American Film Market.
Shoot began last month on director Gregor Jordan’s (Buffalo Soldiers) movie, adapted from Tim Winton’s novel by Jack Thorne (The Aeronauts). Producers are Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey (Brooklyn) of Wildgaze Films and Angie Fielder (Lion) and Polly Staniford (Berlin Syndrome) of Australian outfit Aquarius Films.
The novel charts the illicit romance in a tightly-knit community between a fragile woman named Georgie and a mysterious young poacher. When Georgie’s partner gets wind of the tryst a chase ensues between the two men across Australia’s remote and unforgiving terrain. David Wenham also stars.
Film4 developed the project with Wildgaze Films and are financing along with Screen Australia, the West Australian Regional Film Fund, Screenwest and Ingenious Media. Cornerstone Films is handling international sales at the American Film Market.
- 10/31/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Aaron Pedersen as Jay Swan.
While many actors may fret or obsess about where their next role is coming from, Aaron Pedersen has a simple, unfussed approach.
“I take the despair out by believing you get the jobs you deserve to get,” he says after receiving his second Aacta nomination – best lead actor in a TV drama for Mystery Road.
“Your career is about longevity. I am forever grateful for being able to do the things I want to do.”
It’s a philosophy which has sustained the 48-year-old through a career spanning 25 years. It’s his second nomination following a nod for best lead actor in The Circuit in 2010.
Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road is vying for the best drama prize with Easy Tiger Productions’ Jack Irish, Jungle Entertainment/Blue –Tongue Films’ Mr Inbetween, Easy Tiger’s Rake and FremantleMedia’s Wentworth.
Pedersen’s Jay Swan was the pivotal character...
While many actors may fret or obsess about where their next role is coming from, Aaron Pedersen has a simple, unfussed approach.
“I take the despair out by believing you get the jobs you deserve to get,” he says after receiving his second Aacta nomination – best lead actor in a TV drama for Mystery Road.
“Your career is about longevity. I am forever grateful for being able to do the things I want to do.”
It’s a philosophy which has sustained the 48-year-old through a career spanning 25 years. It’s his second nomination following a nod for best lead actor in The Circuit in 2010.
Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road is vying for the best drama prize with Easy Tiger Productions’ Jack Irish, Jungle Entertainment/Blue –Tongue Films’ Mr Inbetween, Easy Tiger’s Rake and FremantleMedia’s Wentworth.
Pedersen’s Jay Swan was the pivotal character...
- 10/30/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
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