Australian Film Project
A recent hobby of mine is watching Australian films. I’m of the (unbiased, I hope) opinion that Australia makes films as entertaining and beautiful as any other country. However, as an Australian interested in Australian mass media, I do note that the film industry seems to be struggling. I’d like to preface the following by saying that I am no expert on this; just someone who has taken a special interest.
Through funding, the Australian film industry is supported by a government body called Screen Australia. Budgets for films are relatively low (unless funded by an overseas film studio, such as 20th Century Fox funding the 2008 film Australia, which aims to appeal to an overseas audience.), and as a result, are giving limited to no advertising, and often selected release.
Perhaps another reason for the relative anonymity of Australian films, is the American film industry and its myriad high-budget productions, as well as the fact that so many Australian actors’ goal seems to be to move to greener pastures (i.e., Hollywood).
Maybe one solution to the problem of what seems to be a struggling industry, is to create films that would appeal to a wider/overseas audience. I’ve noticed that so many Australian films (as well as ABC drama series) are set in the outback, a location I don’t think necessarily has much overseas appeal.
I’ve started this page as a record of the Australian films I view from 2009 onwards, and I hope other Australians are encouraged to support the industry — there are some amazing things out there if you bother to look.
The List
- Strictly Ballroom (1992)
- Moulin Rouge! (2001)
- Wolf Creek (2005)
- The Black Balloon (2008)
- Candy (2006)
- Beautiful Kate (2009)
- Muriel’s Wedding (1994)
- Look Both Ways (2005)
- My Year Without Sex (2009)
- Happy Feet (2006)
- Samson and Delilah (2009)
- Little Fish (2005)
- Three Dollars (2005)
- Romulus, My Father (2007)
- Ten Canoes (2006)
- Japanese Story (2003)
- Jindabyne (2006)
- Somersault (2004)
- Lantana (2001)
- Two Hands (1999)
- Blessed (2009)
- Van Diemen’s Land (2009)
- Australia (2008)
- Unfinished Sky (2008)
