The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) handed out its 2024 awards on Saturday, and Talk to Me won big, including for best film and best director, while Margot Robbie was honored with the Trailblazer Award.
Barbie, Oppenheimer and The Bear were among the Hollywood honorees, with big Australian winners including the likes of The Newsreader, Deadloch and The New Boy.
“Talk to Me is the biggest winner of the night, adding a further three awards to its collection and taking its total wins to eight, following the Aacta Industry Awards earlier in the week,” the Australian Academy noted. The honors include the one for best direction in film for sibling-YouTubers-turned-directors Danny and Michael Philippou.
Among acting talent earning trophies, rising star Sophie Wilde won the best lead actress in film award for her performance in Talk to Me, while Aswan Reid got the best lead actor in film...
Barbie, Oppenheimer and The Bear were among the Hollywood honorees, with big Australian winners including the likes of The Newsreader, Deadloch and The New Boy.
“Talk to Me is the biggest winner of the night, adding a further three awards to its collection and taking its total wins to eight, following the Aacta Industry Awards earlier in the week,” the Australian Academy noted. The honors include the one for best direction in film for sibling-YouTubers-turned-directors Danny and Michael Philippou.
Among acting talent earning trophies, rising star Sophie Wilde won the best lead actress in film award for her performance in Talk to Me, while Aswan Reid got the best lead actor in film...
- 2/10/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Talk to Me” was the runaway winner at this year’s main awards from the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.
The native production, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last year and was acquired by A24 for North American distribution, scored three of the evening’s top prizes, including wins for best film, best lead actress for Sophie Wilde and best direction for the filmmaking duo of brothers, Danny Philippou and Michael Philoppou.
Other winners from this year’s edition include “The New Boy” stars Aswan Reid and Deborah Mailman in lead actor and supporting actress, respectively, and Hugo Weaving in supporting actor for “The Rooster.”
The Aacta Awards were held Saturday evening at the Home of the Arts, Gold Coast in Queensland. Rebel Wilson served as host, while Australian star Margot Robbie was honored with the group’s trailblazer award.
See the full list of winners below.
The native production, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last year and was acquired by A24 for North American distribution, scored three of the evening’s top prizes, including wins for best film, best lead actress for Sophie Wilde and best direction for the filmmaking duo of brothers, Danny Philippou and Michael Philoppou.
Other winners from this year’s edition include “The New Boy” stars Aswan Reid and Deborah Mailman in lead actor and supporting actress, respectively, and Hugo Weaving in supporting actor for “The Rooster.”
The Aacta Awards were held Saturday evening at the Home of the Arts, Gold Coast in Queensland. Rebel Wilson served as host, while Australian star Margot Robbie was honored with the group’s trailblazer award.
See the full list of winners below.
- 2/10/2024
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Talk to Me was named Best Film at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, which were handed out today on the Gold Coast. The teen horror pic also won Best Director for Danny and Michael Philippou and Best Lead Actress for Sophie Wilde.
Talk to Me took eight total statuettes, including five from the Aacta Industry Awards earlier in the week. The Newsreader and Deadloch also won five AACTAs each, including the Industry nods.
The group also revealed its winners in TV, online and other categories. See the full list from both Aacta Awards ceremonies below.
Aswan Reid took Best Lead Actor in a Film for The New Boy, and his co-star Deborah Mailman won the Supporting Actress prize. Hugo Weaving scooped Best Supporting Actor for The Rooster and added a Best Lead Actor in a Drama trophy for Love Me.
On the TV side, The Newsreader took Best Drama Series,...
Talk to Me took eight total statuettes, including five from the Aacta Industry Awards earlier in the week. The Newsreader and Deadloch also won five AACTAs each, including the Industry nods.
The group also revealed its winners in TV, online and other categories. See the full list from both Aacta Awards ceremonies below.
Aswan Reid took Best Lead Actor in a Film for The New Boy, and his co-star Deborah Mailman won the Supporting Actress prize. Hugo Weaving scooped Best Supporting Actor for The Rooster and added a Best Lead Actor in a Drama trophy for Love Me.
On the TV side, The Newsreader took Best Drama Series,...
- 2/10/2024
- by Erik Pedersen and Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sebastián Zurita is set to recur in Prime Video‘s The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, based on the novel of the same name by Holly Ringland.
Zurita joins previously announced star and executive producer Sigourney Weaver, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Alyla Browne, Leah Purcell, Asher Keddie, Frankie Adams, Alexander England, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, and Charlie Vickers.
The 7-part drama series set in Australia tells the story of a young girl, Alice Hart (played by Browne as a youth and Debnam-Carey as an adult), whose violent childhood casts a dark shadow over her adult life. After a family tragedy in which she loses both her abusive father and beloved mother in a mysterious fire, 9-year-old Alice is taken to live with her grandmother June (Weaver) on a flower farm, where she learns that there are secrets within secrets about her and her family’s past.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart comes...
Zurita joins previously announced star and executive producer Sigourney Weaver, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Alyla Browne, Leah Purcell, Asher Keddie, Frankie Adams, Alexander England, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, and Charlie Vickers.
The 7-part drama series set in Australia tells the story of a young girl, Alice Hart (played by Browne as a youth and Debnam-Carey as an adult), whose violent childhood casts a dark shadow over her adult life. After a family tragedy in which she loses both her abusive father and beloved mother in a mysterious fire, 9-year-old Alice is taken to live with her grandmother June (Weaver) on a flower farm, where she learns that there are secrets within secrets about her and her family’s past.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart comes...
- 4/14/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Asher Keddie, Leah Purcell, and Alycia Debnam-Carey will join Sigourney Weaver in leading the cast of Amazon’s seven-part drama The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.
Produced by Made Up Stories, Amazon Studios and Endeavor Content, and based on the novel by Holly Ringwald, the series is a coming-of-age drama about a young girl whose violent childhood casts a dark shadow over her adult life.
After a family tragedy in which she loses both her abusive father and beloved mother in a mysterious fire, nine-year-old Alice is taken to live with her grandmother June on a flower farm, where she learns that there are secrets within secrets about her and her family’s past.
The family drama spans decades, building to an emotional climax as Alice finds herself fighting for her life against a man she loves.
Debnam Carey will play the adult Alice Hart, while Weaver will play her grandmother,...
Produced by Made Up Stories, Amazon Studios and Endeavor Content, and based on the novel by Holly Ringwald, the series is a coming-of-age drama about a young girl whose violent childhood casts a dark shadow over her adult life.
After a family tragedy in which she loses both her abusive father and beloved mother in a mysterious fire, nine-year-old Alice is taken to live with her grandmother June on a flower farm, where she learns that there are secrets within secrets about her and her family’s past.
The family drama spans decades, building to an emotional climax as Alice finds herself fighting for her life against a man she loves.
Debnam Carey will play the adult Alice Hart, while Weaver will play her grandmother,...
- 10/28/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Amazon is developing a TV series adaptation of “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart,” the 2018 novel by Australian author Holly Ringland, with Sigourney Weaver set to star and executive produce. Sarah Lambert (“Lambs of God”) and Glendyn Ivin are serving as co-showrunners, with Lambert writing.
The seven-episode series, a story of female friendship and resilience, will be filmed in Australia. Made Up Stories, Amazon Studios and Endeavor Content are producing. Jodi Matterson, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Allie Goss of Made Up Stories, Sigourney Weaver, Sarah Lambert and Glendyn Ivin are executive producers. Barbara Gibbs will produce and Lucinda Reynolds is on board as co-executive producer.
“This gripping and emotional story is a broad-skewing drama featuring strong female characters, written and produced by an incredible team of talented female film-makers, and set against a stunning local landscape. We are thrilled that the wonderful Sigourney Weaver signed on to this project...
The seven-episode series, a story of female friendship and resilience, will be filmed in Australia. Made Up Stories, Amazon Studios and Endeavor Content are producing. Jodi Matterson, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Allie Goss of Made Up Stories, Sigourney Weaver, Sarah Lambert and Glendyn Ivin are executive producers. Barbara Gibbs will produce and Lucinda Reynolds is on board as co-executive producer.
“This gripping and emotional story is a broad-skewing drama featuring strong female characters, written and produced by an incredible team of talented female film-makers, and set against a stunning local landscape. We are thrilled that the wonderful Sigourney Weaver signed on to this project...
- 5/18/2021
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Sigourney Weaver is to lead an adaptation of Holly Ringland’s book The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart for Amazon.
The streamer has ordered a series adaptation of the Ringland’s debut Australian novel with Weaver starring in and exec producing.
It marks the latest Australian original for Amazon Prime Video.
The seven-part series, a tale of female resilience, friendship, and the power to overcome tragedy, is produced by Made Up Stories, Amazon Studios and Endeavor Content and will be filmed in Australia.
The series will be adapted for screen by Australian writer Sarah Lambert (Lambs of Gods), who serves as the series showrunner with Glendyn Ivin (The Cry) set to direct.
It will be executive produced by Jodi Matterson, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Allie Goss of Made Up Stories, Sigourney Weaver, Sarah Lambert and Glendyn Ivin. The series will be produced by Barbara Gibbs and co-executive produced by Lucinda Reynolds.
The streamer has ordered a series adaptation of the Ringland’s debut Australian novel with Weaver starring in and exec producing.
It marks the latest Australian original for Amazon Prime Video.
The seven-part series, a tale of female resilience, friendship, and the power to overcome tragedy, is produced by Made Up Stories, Amazon Studios and Endeavor Content and will be filmed in Australia.
The series will be adapted for screen by Australian writer Sarah Lambert (Lambs of Gods), who serves as the series showrunner with Glendyn Ivin (The Cry) set to direct.
It will be executive produced by Jodi Matterson, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Allie Goss of Made Up Stories, Sigourney Weaver, Sarah Lambert and Glendyn Ivin. The series will be produced by Barbara Gibbs and co-executive produced by Lucinda Reynolds.
- 5/18/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Bobby Cannavale, Michael Shannon and Regina Hall are the latest additions to the cast of the Hulu-commissioned series Nine Perfect Strangers, which started shooting in Byron Bay today.
American Jonathan Levine is directing all eight episodes of the drama based on the Liane Moriarty novel, produced by Made Up Stories’ Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Jodi Matterson and Blossom Films’ Nicole Kidman and Per Saari.
As If reported, the production will inject more than $100 million into the state’s economy.
In pre-production Kidman and her core creative team set up an isolated production hub under police-supervised quarantine at her Southern Highlands property.
The series is set at a boutique health-and-wellness resort where nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living. Watching over them during the 10-day retreat is the resort’s director Masha (Kidman).
Cast as the nine strangers are Cannavale,...
American Jonathan Levine is directing all eight episodes of the drama based on the Liane Moriarty novel, produced by Made Up Stories’ Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Jodi Matterson and Blossom Films’ Nicole Kidman and Per Saari.
As If reported, the production will inject more than $100 million into the state’s economy.
In pre-production Kidman and her core creative team set up an isolated production hub under police-supervised quarantine at her Southern Highlands property.
The series is set at a boutique health-and-wellness resort where nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living. Watching over them during the 10-day retreat is the resort’s director Masha (Kidman).
Cast as the nine strangers are Cannavale,...
- 8/9/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Tiffany Boone with ‘Hunters’ co-star Al Pacino.
Tiffany Boone, who plays Nazi hunter Roxy Jones opposite Al Pacino, Logan Lerman and Kate Mulvany in the Amazon series Hunters, has been added to the cast of Nine Perfect Strangers, which starts shooting in Byron Bay on August 10.
Meanwhile the Australian Directors’ Guild asked the producers of the Hulu commissioned series, Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films and Made Up Stories, for an Australian director to be attached to the production.
The producers turned down the request, citing Covid-19 restrictions, Adg executive director Diana Burnett tells If. The international director has not been named.
So Burnett has asked for Screen Australia’s support in inserting a provision in the Location Offset rules stipulating there must be an Australian director attachment on all projects which receive the incentive. “This is necessary for the upskilling of Australian talent,” Burnett says.
Based on Liane Moriarty’s novel,...
Tiffany Boone, who plays Nazi hunter Roxy Jones opposite Al Pacino, Logan Lerman and Kate Mulvany in the Amazon series Hunters, has been added to the cast of Nine Perfect Strangers, which starts shooting in Byron Bay on August 10.
Meanwhile the Australian Directors’ Guild asked the producers of the Hulu commissioned series, Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films and Made Up Stories, for an Australian director to be attached to the production.
The producers turned down the request, citing Covid-19 restrictions, Adg executive director Diana Burnett tells If. The international director has not been named.
So Burnett has asked for Screen Australia’s support in inserting a provision in the Location Offset rules stipulating there must be an Australian director attachment on all projects which receive the incentive. “This is necessary for the upskilling of Australian talent,” Burnett says.
Based on Liane Moriarty’s novel,...
- 7/24/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Liane Moriarty.
In a coup for Nsw, Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films and Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories will shoot Nine Perfect Strangers, a Hulu-commissioned series based on Liane Moriarty’s novel, in the the Northern Rivers, injecting more than $100 million into the state’s economy.
Shooting will start on August 10 and Kidman and her core creative team have established an isolated production hub under police-supervised quarantine at her Southern Highlands property so pre-production can continue remotely.
As If reported, filming in Nsw was contingent on Border Force Australia granting exemptions on travel restrictions to Kidman’s co-stars including Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans, Manny Jacinto and Melvin Gregg, and other key creatives.
Samara Weaving, Asher Keddie and Grace Van Patten have joined the cast. All hotel, medical and security costs will be borne by the production.
Following discussions with the Federal Government, Screen Nsw and the Nsw health authorities,...
In a coup for Nsw, Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films and Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories will shoot Nine Perfect Strangers, a Hulu-commissioned series based on Liane Moriarty’s novel, in the the Northern Rivers, injecting more than $100 million into the state’s economy.
Shooting will start on August 10 and Kidman and her core creative team have established an isolated production hub under police-supervised quarantine at her Southern Highlands property so pre-production can continue remotely.
As If reported, filming in Nsw was contingent on Border Force Australia granting exemptions on travel restrictions to Kidman’s co-stars including Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans, Manny Jacinto and Melvin Gregg, and other key creatives.
Samara Weaving, Asher Keddie and Grace Van Patten have joined the cast. All hotel, medical and security costs will be borne by the production.
Following discussions with the Federal Government, Screen Nsw and the Nsw health authorities,...
- 7/19/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films and Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories are hoping to shoot Nine Perfect Strangers, a Hulu-commissioned series based on Liane Moriarty’s latest novel, in northern Nsw.
That is contingent on Border Force granting exemptions on travel restrictions to Kidman’s co-stars including Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans, Manny Jacinto and Melvin Gregg, plus other key creatives.
There is a production office in Byron Bay and a shoot of at least 20 weeks, which would employ a large number of Australian crew and some supporting actors, is planned – pending Border Force’s approval on visas. It’s believed a lot of the crew will be sourced from Melbourne, which is in lockdown for six weeks.
Variety broke the news of the Australian shoot in an interview with Evans, who said: “We all have to be quarantined in a hotel room. I can’t see anyone for two weeks.
That is contingent on Border Force granting exemptions on travel restrictions to Kidman’s co-stars including Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans, Manny Jacinto and Melvin Gregg, plus other key creatives.
There is a production office in Byron Bay and a shoot of at least 20 weeks, which would employ a large number of Australian crew and some supporting actors, is planned – pending Border Force’s approval on visas. It’s believed a lot of the crew will be sourced from Melbourne, which is in lockdown for six weeks.
Variety broke the news of the Australian shoot in an interview with Evans, who said: “We all have to be quarantined in a hotel room. I can’t see anyone for two weeks.
- 7/9/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
See Pictures has cast newcomer William Lodder in the lead role of its upcoming “Go Karts,” which begins filming this week in Busselton, Western Australia. He is joined by Frances O’Connor, Richard Roxburgh, Dan Wyllie, Darius Amarfio-Jefferson, Cooper van Grootel and another newcomer Anastasia Bampos.
The high-octane family film sees Lodder as a Jack-the-lad who discovers that he is good at something, karting. He is encouraged in his career choice by a supportive mother. But he has to face up to challenges of his own making, as well as from other racers.
The film is directed by Owen Trevor (TV’s “Top Gear”) from a script by Steve Worland (“Paper Planes”). Production is by Jamie Hilton “(Breath”) and Sonia Borella for See Pictures.
Distribution in Australia and new Zealand is to be through Roadshow Films, which co-developed the script. It will be represented internationally by Aqute Media.
Sydney- and...
The high-octane family film sees Lodder as a Jack-the-lad who discovers that he is good at something, karting. He is encouraged in his career choice by a supportive mother. But he has to face up to challenges of his own making, as well as from other racers.
The film is directed by Owen Trevor (TV’s “Top Gear”) from a script by Steve Worland (“Paper Planes”). Production is by Jamie Hilton “(Breath”) and Sonia Borella for See Pictures.
Distribution in Australia and new Zealand is to be through Roadshow Films, which co-developed the script. It will be represented internationally by Aqute Media.
Sydney- and...
- 4/19/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Hugo Weaving has joined the cast of Mel Gibson's star-studded Australian film Hacksaw Ridge.
Weaving will join Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, Rachel Griffiths and Richard Roxburgh in the film, which is now in production.
Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of conscientious objector, Desmond Doss (Garfield), who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, saved 75 men without firing a gun..
Believing that the War was just but killing was nevertheless wrong, he was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon.
Doss single-handedly evacuated the wounded near enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers and was wounded by a grenade and hit by snipers. He is the only conscientious objector to ever win the Us Medal of Honour.
Weaving will play Garfield's son, Tom Doss.
Producers of the film include Bill Mechanic, Bruce Davey, Paul Currie, David Permut and executive Producer,...
Weaving will join Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, Rachel Griffiths and Richard Roxburgh in the film, which is now in production.
Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of conscientious objector, Desmond Doss (Garfield), who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, saved 75 men without firing a gun..
Believing that the War was just but killing was nevertheless wrong, he was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon.
Doss single-handedly evacuated the wounded near enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers and was wounded by a grenade and hit by snipers. He is the only conscientious objector to ever win the Us Medal of Honour.
Weaving will play Garfield's son, Tom Doss.
Producers of the film include Bill Mechanic, Bruce Davey, Paul Currie, David Permut and executive Producer,...
- 10/19/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
The ugly Cronulla race riots in southern Sydney in 2005 may seem an unlikely source of humour but that.s the backdrop of writer-director Abe Forsythe.s latest film.
Set during the aftermath of the riots, the black comedy looks at two carloads of hotheads from both sides of the fight who are destined to collide.
.The narrative mines comedy through the heavy drama,. Forsythe told If on Thursday on the last day of a six-week shoot. .The humour turns on how absurd the situations were and how they spiralled out of control. It doesn.t let the audience off lightly..
Forsythe began writing the screenplay five years ago and the project finally came together with producer Jodi Matterson and Greg Mclean as executive producer. Mclean had admired Ned, Abe.s directing debut in 2003, and the two had long wanted to work together.
The financiers are Screen Australia, Fulcrum Media, the...
Set during the aftermath of the riots, the black comedy looks at two carloads of hotheads from both sides of the fight who are destined to collide.
.The narrative mines comedy through the heavy drama,. Forsythe told If on Thursday on the last day of a six-week shoot. .The humour turns on how absurd the situations were and how they spiralled out of control. It doesn.t let the audience off lightly..
Forsythe began writing the screenplay five years ago and the project finally came together with producer Jodi Matterson and Greg Mclean as executive producer. Mclean had admired Ned, Abe.s directing debut in 2003, and the two had long wanted to work together.
The financiers are Screen Australia, Fulcrum Media, the...
- 2/26/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
An Australian-French co-production has been picked up for distribution in the Us market.
Cougar drama Two Mothers, set in Australia and starring Naomi Watts and Robin Wright, has been acquired by Exclusive Releasing following its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
The new distribution arm of Exclusive Media has picked up the rights to the Us to distribute as a simultaneous release across both theatres and video on demand.
The film is directed by Anne Fontaine, written by Academy Award winner Christopher Hampton based on a Doris Lessing short story.
The story follows Watts and Wright’s characters, two lifelong friends, who each fall in love with the other’s son, played by Australians Xavier Samuel and James Frecheville.
First reviews for the film have been mixed.
It’s produced by Hopscotch Feature’s Andrew Mason plus Barbara Gibbs, as well as Michelle Feller and Philippe Carscassonne for Ciné-@, Mon Voisin Productions,...
Cougar drama Two Mothers, set in Australia and starring Naomi Watts and Robin Wright, has been acquired by Exclusive Releasing following its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
The new distribution arm of Exclusive Media has picked up the rights to the Us to distribute as a simultaneous release across both theatres and video on demand.
The film is directed by Anne Fontaine, written by Academy Award winner Christopher Hampton based on a Doris Lessing short story.
The story follows Watts and Wright’s characters, two lifelong friends, who each fall in love with the other’s son, played by Australians Xavier Samuel and James Frecheville.
First reviews for the film have been mixed.
It’s produced by Hopscotch Feature’s Andrew Mason plus Barbara Gibbs, as well as Michelle Feller and Philippe Carscassonne for Ciné-@, Mon Voisin Productions,...
- 1/23/2013
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Jane Campion.s first TV series Top of the Lake and Australian-French co-production Two Mothers have been selected to screen at the Sundance Film Festival.
Both productions will screen as part of the Premieres program, which showcases a range of highly-anticipated dramatic world premieres.
The Top of the Lake series will be screened as a single six-hour film just once during the festival, marking the first time that Sundance has included a scripted long-form series. Top of the Lake follows a detective investigating the disappearance of a 12-year-old pregnant girl who is the daughter of a local drug lord and stars Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Holly Hunter (The Piano), Peter Mullan (War Horse) and David Wenham (Public Enemies).
In a Screen Australia statement anouncing the selections, executive producers Emile Sherman and Iain Canning said: .It.s such a thrill to be showing Top of the Lake, See-Saw Films. first foray into television.
Both productions will screen as part of the Premieres program, which showcases a range of highly-anticipated dramatic world premieres.
The Top of the Lake series will be screened as a single six-hour film just once during the festival, marking the first time that Sundance has included a scripted long-form series. Top of the Lake follows a detective investigating the disappearance of a 12-year-old pregnant girl who is the daughter of a local drug lord and stars Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Holly Hunter (The Piano), Peter Mullan (War Horse) and David Wenham (Public Enemies).
In a Screen Australia statement anouncing the selections, executive producers Emile Sherman and Iain Canning said: .It.s such a thrill to be showing Top of the Lake, See-Saw Films. first foray into television.
- 12/4/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
This is a wolf in pig's clothing. "Babe: Pig in the City" -- while waddling along in the guise of a family film -- is down to its shank, a grizzled depiction of a vicious and hideous world. Dark-toned and laden with oppressively grimy aesthetics, it's more akin to the sort of snide-and-sour offering one encounters at independent film festivals or Left Bank art houses, not what one expects given the film's sweet pedigree. Undoubtedly, Universal will slice some hefty boxoffice grosses over the holiday weekend based on the giddy expectations that recall this sequel's proud lineage, but word-of-mouth will be decidedly "Oscar Mayer" -- this porker is headed quickly to the slaughterhouse. Sensible parents with tots will be particularly nettled by the film's cruel and sadistic depictions such as animals squirming in death throes, etc.
While those folk who shop at Piggly Wiggly may be turned off by its dark and nasty ingredients, "Pig in the City" may find its best pastures overseas. With its pessimistic underpinnings, addled plotting and abstract meanderings, it's the sort of surreal cinematic slab that might be selected as a first-weekend competition entrant at Cannes.
Narratively, "Pig in the City" is a pig-out-of-water yarn. Old man Hoggett (James Cromwell) has been laid up and is in danger of losing ye olde farme. It's up to his spunky wife Esme (Magda Szubanski) to take hold of the reins and save it from foreclosure. The only course of action is to go to the city and capitalize on Babe's recent fame and garner an appearance fee at a big-time fair. Unhappily, air travel, being what it is today, botches things up and Esme and Babe never make it to the fair on time. They're left stranded in the big, bad city and take refuge in a seedy Bates-like hotel infested with all sorts of weird and dysfunctional creatures. Undeniably, the sweet-natured Babe and the stout Mrs. Hoggett are a sympathetic duo and we certainly want them to experience no harm. It's in these initial city scenes as Babe and Mrs. Hoggett counter The City Slickers' hostilities with their down-home brand of kindness that "Babe" really jells. Babe's naive and helpful ways are not only endearing, they are inspiring, and given the awfulness of the situations, quite funny.
But alas, this sequel focuses more on the maliciousness of the city characters as well as the inherent evil of the city (civilization) itself than it does on Babe's goodly, transcendent nature. Thematically, the power of one tiny individual to make the world a better place is lost in the film's overall ferociousness. As written by George Miller, Judy Morris and Mark Lamprell, the screenplay is not so much a scenario as it is a pessimistic smear of the dangers of city life. Narratively, it's merely assaultive as Babe and Mrs. Hoggett endure evil after evil. Structurally, the story is largely without tendons: it's a mere compendium of similar scenes -- Babe and Mrs. Hoggett enduring attack after attack. Eventually, this larder limps off to a pat and force-fed resolution, a happy-feel ending that is, well, just plain out of left field. Nonetheless, there is considerable skill in the writing: the dialogue is droll, deadpan and downright funny in a sparse kind of way. Unfortunately, it's going to be lost on much of its target audience, indicative of the enterprise's elevated, coffeehouse-noir sensibilities.
Still, "Babe" is filled with delightful moments in large part due to the charming animal cast, including not only pigs, but ducks, dogs, monkeys, kitties and cows. The voicework is terrific, particularly E.G. Daily's winning warbles as Babe and James Cosmo's wily deliveries as a monkey named Thelonius. Not only are these animals winning in their "performances" but they are integrated nicely into the story by the skilled and creative workings of the production team. In particular, costume designer Norma Moriceau's animal and human costumes are a constant delight chock full of personality and humor. Also a plus is cinematographer Andrew Lesnie's smartly composed groupings: back shots of Babe peering out at the big-bad world are wonderfully cute and comforting.
This time out, James Cromwell appears only briefly as a bookend as the sinewy Hoggett. That's a shame, for his gangly, practical-mannered performance in the original was a true highlight. As the determined Mrs. Hoggett, Szubanski brims with energy and chubby cheerfulness, while Mickey Rooney is well-cast as a comedic codger. Mary Stein's angular agility perks up her landlady part with some nifty comic touches.
While wildly appealing as a pet show, as a movie, "Babe: Pig in the City" is penned in by the lackadaisical story line as well as the film's grimy sensibilities. Despite the funny flourishes of the costumes and some sprightly animated figures and spunky visual effects, "Babe" is a pretty oppressive-feeling production. Under Miller's dark hand, the film's inventively expressionistic production design (Roger Ford) and baleful musical score (Nigel Westlake) only serve to further sodden this surprisingly dreary family outing.
BABE: PIG IN THE CITY
Universal Pictures
A Kennedy Miller film
Producers: George Miller, Doug Mitchell, Bill Miller
Director: George Miller
Screenwriters: George Miller, Judy Morris, Mark Lamprell
Additional unit director: Daphne Paris
Director of photography: Andrew Lesnie
Music: Nigel Westlake
Editors: Jay Friedkin, Margaret Sixel
Production designer: Roger Ford
Costume designer: Norma Moriceau
Executive producer: Barbara Gibbs
Visual effects and animation: Ryhthm & Hues, Mill Film, Animal Logic Film
Animatronics: Neal Scanlan Studio
Concept artist: Peter Pound
"That'll Do" written by Randy Newman, performed by Peter Gabriel
Animal action: Karl Lewis Miller
Casting: Alison Barrett, Nicki Barrett, Barbara Harris
Art director: Colin Gibson
Sound recordist: Ben Osmo
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Mrs. Hoggett: Magda Szubanski
Farmer Hoggett: James Cromwell
The Landlady: Mary Stein
Fugly Floom: Mickey Rooney
Voices:
Babe: E.G. Daily
Ferdinand: Danny Mann
Zootie: Glenne Headly
Bob: Steven Wright
Thelonius: James Cosmo
Easy: Nathan Kress, Myles Jeffrey
The Pitbull and the Doberman: Stanley Ralph Ross
The Pink Poodle: Russi Taylor
Flealick: Adam Goldberg
Nigel and Alan: Eddie Barth
The Sniffer Dog: Bill Capizzi
Fly: Miriam Margolyes
Rex: Hugo Weaving
The Narrator: Roscoe Lee Browne
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
While those folk who shop at Piggly Wiggly may be turned off by its dark and nasty ingredients, "Pig in the City" may find its best pastures overseas. With its pessimistic underpinnings, addled plotting and abstract meanderings, it's the sort of surreal cinematic slab that might be selected as a first-weekend competition entrant at Cannes.
Narratively, "Pig in the City" is a pig-out-of-water yarn. Old man Hoggett (James Cromwell) has been laid up and is in danger of losing ye olde farme. It's up to his spunky wife Esme (Magda Szubanski) to take hold of the reins and save it from foreclosure. The only course of action is to go to the city and capitalize on Babe's recent fame and garner an appearance fee at a big-time fair. Unhappily, air travel, being what it is today, botches things up and Esme and Babe never make it to the fair on time. They're left stranded in the big, bad city and take refuge in a seedy Bates-like hotel infested with all sorts of weird and dysfunctional creatures. Undeniably, the sweet-natured Babe and the stout Mrs. Hoggett are a sympathetic duo and we certainly want them to experience no harm. It's in these initial city scenes as Babe and Mrs. Hoggett counter The City Slickers' hostilities with their down-home brand of kindness that "Babe" really jells. Babe's naive and helpful ways are not only endearing, they are inspiring, and given the awfulness of the situations, quite funny.
But alas, this sequel focuses more on the maliciousness of the city characters as well as the inherent evil of the city (civilization) itself than it does on Babe's goodly, transcendent nature. Thematically, the power of one tiny individual to make the world a better place is lost in the film's overall ferociousness. As written by George Miller, Judy Morris and Mark Lamprell, the screenplay is not so much a scenario as it is a pessimistic smear of the dangers of city life. Narratively, it's merely assaultive as Babe and Mrs. Hoggett endure evil after evil. Structurally, the story is largely without tendons: it's a mere compendium of similar scenes -- Babe and Mrs. Hoggett enduring attack after attack. Eventually, this larder limps off to a pat and force-fed resolution, a happy-feel ending that is, well, just plain out of left field. Nonetheless, there is considerable skill in the writing: the dialogue is droll, deadpan and downright funny in a sparse kind of way. Unfortunately, it's going to be lost on much of its target audience, indicative of the enterprise's elevated, coffeehouse-noir sensibilities.
Still, "Babe" is filled with delightful moments in large part due to the charming animal cast, including not only pigs, but ducks, dogs, monkeys, kitties and cows. The voicework is terrific, particularly E.G. Daily's winning warbles as Babe and James Cosmo's wily deliveries as a monkey named Thelonius. Not only are these animals winning in their "performances" but they are integrated nicely into the story by the skilled and creative workings of the production team. In particular, costume designer Norma Moriceau's animal and human costumes are a constant delight chock full of personality and humor. Also a plus is cinematographer Andrew Lesnie's smartly composed groupings: back shots of Babe peering out at the big-bad world are wonderfully cute and comforting.
This time out, James Cromwell appears only briefly as a bookend as the sinewy Hoggett. That's a shame, for his gangly, practical-mannered performance in the original was a true highlight. As the determined Mrs. Hoggett, Szubanski brims with energy and chubby cheerfulness, while Mickey Rooney is well-cast as a comedic codger. Mary Stein's angular agility perks up her landlady part with some nifty comic touches.
While wildly appealing as a pet show, as a movie, "Babe: Pig in the City" is penned in by the lackadaisical story line as well as the film's grimy sensibilities. Despite the funny flourishes of the costumes and some sprightly animated figures and spunky visual effects, "Babe" is a pretty oppressive-feeling production. Under Miller's dark hand, the film's inventively expressionistic production design (Roger Ford) and baleful musical score (Nigel Westlake) only serve to further sodden this surprisingly dreary family outing.
BABE: PIG IN THE CITY
Universal Pictures
A Kennedy Miller film
Producers: George Miller, Doug Mitchell, Bill Miller
Director: George Miller
Screenwriters: George Miller, Judy Morris, Mark Lamprell
Additional unit director: Daphne Paris
Director of photography: Andrew Lesnie
Music: Nigel Westlake
Editors: Jay Friedkin, Margaret Sixel
Production designer: Roger Ford
Costume designer: Norma Moriceau
Executive producer: Barbara Gibbs
Visual effects and animation: Ryhthm & Hues, Mill Film, Animal Logic Film
Animatronics: Neal Scanlan Studio
Concept artist: Peter Pound
"That'll Do" written by Randy Newman, performed by Peter Gabriel
Animal action: Karl Lewis Miller
Casting: Alison Barrett, Nicki Barrett, Barbara Harris
Art director: Colin Gibson
Sound recordist: Ben Osmo
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Mrs. Hoggett: Magda Szubanski
Farmer Hoggett: James Cromwell
The Landlady: Mary Stein
Fugly Floom: Mickey Rooney
Voices:
Babe: E.G. Daily
Ferdinand: Danny Mann
Zootie: Glenne Headly
Bob: Steven Wright
Thelonius: James Cosmo
Easy: Nathan Kress, Myles Jeffrey
The Pitbull and the Doberman: Stanley Ralph Ross
The Pink Poodle: Russi Taylor
Flealick: Adam Goldberg
Nigel and Alan: Eddie Barth
The Sniffer Dog: Bill Capizzi
Fly: Miriam Margolyes
Rex: Hugo Weaving
The Narrator: Roscoe Lee Browne
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
- 11/25/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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