Hey a question for Australian readers: What was the last Australian film you saw at the cinema?I will make a coffee while you think about it. The last Australian film I saw in a cinema was 'Bad Eggs' I saw it because I'm a big fan of the director New Zealand comedian Tony Martin. And that film came out in 2003. Six years ago. Before when I was thinking about making this Blog I had to think what was the most recent Australian film I had seen. 'Wolf Creek' was the film on Foxtel in 2007 and I missed the first 10 minutes.
Year after year the Australian film industry pump out film after forgettable film that no one goes to see. Other then the ones featured in the image on the header are other forgettable shitfests: Houseboat Horror, Horseplay, You and Your Stupid Mate, Ned Kelly, Two Fists-One Heart and so on and so on and so on.
Why does this country constantly pump money into films that appeal to no one. Lets take the biggest turkey shall we. Baz Lurhman's epic 'Australia' is the most expensive Australian film ever made. It was made to sell Australia to the World... And it failed. It bombed and the film was critically panned. I think one of the reasons no went to see it was because of the trailer to promote the film. It looked utterly pretentious. The trailer starts with Nicole Kidman's character telling a story to a Aboriginal child. Baz Lurhman later went to the press and said the reason the film bombed was because no one 'Got It'. Isn't that just ignorant. That's like saying 'The reason people did not see the film because they are STUPID!'. Well Lurhman I no there no way in hell your ever going to read this blog but I say this to you 'Fuck You! and Fuck Your Shitty Film!". There I feel better :)
And there is what I think is wrong with Australian films. They are always the same. It's either a shitty comedy, a shitty drama or shitty ripoff of a English gangster film. The Australian film industry is not brave enough. One Russia's highest grossing films is 'Nightwatch' a film about special unit that polices the paranormal. South Korea one their biggest hits was 'The Host' a sci fi/comedy about a giant killer mutant fish. Japan well your have seen the films they produce; quirky animations, giant monsters and kung fu films. Sure Australia made a film about a giant crocodile but the director of the film made Wolf Creek so he had some sort of leverage. Anyway Hollywood had already made films about giant crocs (Lake Placid) so the idea was not really original.
What Australia need is an original idea that will get people into the cinema to watch it. How about the Dredger in Port Philip Bay awakens a monster and goes on a rampage in Melbourne.... Wait too Cloverfield. OK what about film about the Aboriginal legend Yuwaalaraay a giant killer Emu. Yeah that could work ;)
But Australia will never go for something original. They had the chance. Two young filmmakers tried to get backing to make a film about madman who imprisons two hostages forces them to play his twisted games or be killed. The idea was rejected in Australia so the filmmakers took the idea to Hollywood and the movie 'Saw' was the result and it was a big success. In fact it has now spawned 5 sequels!
Hollywood seems to the only option for Australian filmmakers. And the actors two. Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Mel Gibson, Eric Bana, Heath Ledger and Rose Byrne have been more successful overseas then in their home country. Sometimes they come back to make local films but they usually end up being shit and that's no incentive for them to support the Australian film industry. So why should they do Australian films. I'm sure Eric Bana will take the villain in the latest Star Trek film over a loony larrikin who inherents his Dad's unsuccessful sheep farm* any day of the week.
*Film does not exist but give it time. ;)
Anyway I should point that all Australian film don't suck. There is plenty of good ones: The Castle, Mad Max 1+2, Two Hands, Gallipoli and Crackerjack. And the films I have not seen but are regarded as good: Priscilla, Murial's Wedding, Puberty Blues and Breaker Morant.
So any thats my view on Australian Cinema. Got a good idea for a movie move to Hollywood or London.
No comments:
Post a Comment