Well, its time for another report from the future as Tamsin has sent ol' Father Geek here in Austin, Texas one of her patented time traveling editions of AICN Downunder. You see she sends me the column on Wednesday, but I put it up for you to read on the Tuesday before. I still can't get use to that... Anyway here's the darling, but still mysterious Tamsin and her...
DOWNUNDER REPORT #17
Lots of Downunder news this week...
AWARDS
Congratulations to all the Aussie success at the Golden Globe awards. Baz Luhrmann (MOULIN ROUGE - best comedy or musical), Nicole Kidman (MOULIN ROUGE - best actress in comedy or musical), New Zealander Russell Crowe (BEAUTIFUL MIND - best actor in drama), Rachel Griffiths (SIX FEET UNDER - best supporting actress in TV series), and Judy Davis (LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND - best actress in mini-series). Composer Craig Armstrong was also awarded best score for his work on MOULIN ROUGE.
NEWS
Director PETER WEIR is to adapt Patrick O'Brian's novels about British naval officer Captain Jack Aubrey, into one action-packed Napoleonic adventure film. Initial talks were with Heath Ledger to play the lead, but it has now been revealed that Russell Crowe has committed to the role.
More Russell news...
Beyond International has secured the international sales rights to the new Russell Crowe film TEXAS, which stars Crowe and his band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. Shot in Sydney, London and at sold-out gigs in Austin, Texas, the film chronicles the journey of the band as the members prepare to record their latest album. North American rights are being represented by Miramax.
New Zealand actor, Rena Owen, who was briefly seen in A.I. last year and is most known for her work in the acclaimed ONCE WERE WARRIORS, has landed the lead in a US$20 million family film, OGOPOGO, shooting around Queenstown. The nine-week shoot will involve a crew of around 40 to 50 people and it has been said it will inject at least NZ$12 million into the Queenstown economy.
Word is that Darren Aronofsky's new film, THE LAST MAN, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, will actually shoot in Australia this year.
PETER PAN
Pre-production on a big-budget US feature based on the classic children's story PETER PAN, is believed to be about to begin at Queensland's Warner Roadshow Movie World Studios, with PJ Hogan set to direct.
THE RAGE IN LAKE PLACID
Producer Marian Macgowan (TWO HANDS) and Louise Smith, are teaming up with first-time writer and director Tony McNamara on the new teen comedy feature THE RAGE IN PLACID LAKE, which received Australian Film Finance Corporation (FFC) funding in December. Starring singer Ben Lee and actor Rose Byrne, THE RAGE IN PLACID LAKE will see the musician-turned-actor in the role of Placid Lake, a rebellious teenager who decides to straighten out after recovering from a terrible accident -- much to the horror of his New Age parents.
UPCOMING DOCUMENTARIES
Ana Kokkinos has received funding for the documentary THE ORIGINAL MERMAID, which tells the story of Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman, who inspired the MGM classic MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID, starring Esther Williams.
Producer Andrew Pike and director/writer Chris Owen will produce the 52 minute BETELNUT IS BAD MAGIC FOR AEROPLANES, which has a presale with SBS.
. Producers Greg Stitt and Paul Roy will make the 55 minute doco CHRIS, NOT KRISHNA, CALLING for ABC TV. The documentary will focus on the training of college graduates recruited to work in call centres.
Former prime minister Gough Whitlam will be the subject of a new documentary, titled WHITLAM, written, produced and directed by Robert Francis, with funding from SBS Independent. The 52 minute doco will show Whitlam reflecting on the far-reaching vision he had for Australia, the life-saving reforms he engineered in the Labor Party, his turbulent time in government, and his vision for Australia's future.
SISTERS OF ST JOHN OF GOD, produced by Jeni McMahon and written and directed by David Batty, for the ABC about the Sisters of St John of God, who have maintained a presence in the Kimberley region of Western Australia for some 100 years.
YUM CHA CHA, produced by Anthony Buckley and written and directed by Boyd Britton, about the life and artwork of artist Nancy King.
DANCES OF ECSTACY, produced by Nicole Ma and directed by Michelle Mahrer, explores the ecstatic experience through rhythm dance and music in traditional and contemporary communities around the world.
THE INHERITANCE, produced/directed and written by Peter Hegedus, the story of one man's struggle in the aftermath of cyanide flooding in an Australian-Romanian gold mine in Baia Mare, Romania.
LONG SHADOWS, produced by Melanie Coombs and directed by Kate Hampell and written by both women, examines the implications of caring for Holocaust survivors in Melbourne.
THE MASCOT, produced and directed by Lina Caneva and Mark Kurzem with a presale to ABC TV, is the story of one man's struggle to discover his stolen identity.
TELEMOVIE
The telemovie TEMPTATION has been presold to the Ten Network, with Beyond secured as distributor. The story revolves around the world of two restaurants and the people who work for them. Described as a Montague and Capulet tale of two warring dynasties, it's a tale breached by clandestine love and, grudgingly, mutual admiration.
OTHER NEWS
Australian actress Dame Edna Everage (ably assisted by Barry Humphries) has joined the cast of ALLY MCBEAL. Playing the role of Claire Otoms, Dame Edna's work can be seen in the US in Feb.
Until next week.
Tamsin
tamsin@aintitcoolmail.com
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