Exploring Australian Cinema: Any Good Films?

Australia has a rich history of cinema, with many films showcasing the country's unique landscape and culture. Australian films cover a range of genres, from crime thrillers like Animal Kingdom to romantic comedies like Jocelyn Moorhouse's 1991 award-winning film. Australian filmmakers have also explored complex themes such as immigration, ultra-toxic masculinity, and the legacy of war. Some notable Australian films include Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, Chopper, and Crocodile Dundee. With a diverse range of stories and talented actors like Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Nicole Kidman, Australian cinema has gained recognition and acclaim worldwide.

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Crime thrillers, including Animal Kingdom and Chopper

Animal Kingdom (2010) is a crime thriller set in Melbourne, Australia. The film centres on a teenager, Joshua 'Jay' or 'J' Cody, who gets drawn into his estranged family's criminal underworld. It is a tense, violent, and highly watchable portrayal of a dysfunctional crime family on the verge of self-destruction. The film received critical acclaim for its acting, direction, and script, with particular praise for Jacki Weaver's portrayal of the family matriarch, Janine or 'Smurf' Cody, which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Animal Kingdom also won a record 10 Australian Film Institute Awards out of 18 nominations.

Chopper (2000) is another Australian crime thriller, directed by Andrew Dominik. The film tells the story of Mark "Chopper" Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his autobiography, "From the Inside", while serving a prison sentence. Chopper offers an intense and authentic portrayal of Australia's criminal underworld, showcasing the boredom, thrill-seeking, drug use, and crime prevalent within it. The film stars Eric Bana and Simon Lyndon and is based on Read's best-selling autobiography.

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Comedies, including Starstruck and Babe

Australian comedies include the 1982 film Starstruck, a comedy-drama musical directed by Gillian Armstrong. The film follows two Australian teens, Jo Kennedy and her little cousin Angus, who try to make their break in show business. Kennedy's character is an aspiring singer, and Angus is her agent. The film features music by The Swingers, whose leader, Phil Judd, was previously a member of Split Enz. The film grossed $1,541,000 at the Australian box office, equivalent to $5,613,523.05 in 2020 dollars.

Another Australian comedy is Babe, a 1995 comedy-drama directed by Chris Noonan and written by Noonan and George Miller. Babe is an adaptation of Dick King-Smith's 1983 novel The Sheep-Pig, also known as Babe: The Gallant Pig in the US. The film follows an orphaned pig who is brought home by a farmer after being used in a ""guess the weight" contest at a county fair. Babe wants to do the work of a sheepdog, and the film combines the use of real animals with computer-generated animation. Babe was a critical and commercial success, receiving seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture, and grossing over $254 million worldwide.

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Autobiographical stories, including Chopper and Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

The Australian film industry has produced several notable autobiographical films, including "Chopper" and "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior."

Let's start with Chopper, a 2000 Australian crime drama film written and directed by Andrew Dominik. The film is based on the autobiographical books by the criminal-turned-author Mark "Chopper" Read. It stars Eric Bana as Chopper, with Vince Colosimo, Simon Lyndon, Kate Beahan, and David Field in supporting roles. The film follows Chopper's life and time in prison, specifically his stint in Pentridge Prison in 1978 Victoria. It grossed A$6.8 million worldwide and received positive reviews, with a 76% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Bana's performance was particularly praised, with Roger Ebert commenting that he has a "quality no acting school can teach and few actors can match."

Now, let's discuss Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Released in 1981, it is an Australian post-apocalyptic dystopian action film directed by George Miller, who co-wrote it with Terry Hayes and Brian Hannant. It is the second installment in the Mad Max franchise, with Mel Gibson reprising his role as "Mad Max" Rockatansky. The film follows Max, a hardened man who helps a community of settlers defend themselves against a roving band of marauders. It was a critical and commercial success, praised for its cinematography, action sequences, and costume design. The sparse dialogue was also notable for an action film. Mad Max 2 won Best International Film at the 10th Saturn Awards and is considered one of the greatest action films and sequels of all time.

Both Chopper and Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior offer compelling autobiographical narratives within their respective genres, contributing to the diverse landscape of Australian cinema.

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Immigration stories, including The Tracker and Looking for Alibrandi

The 2000 Australian coming-of-age film Looking for Alibrandi, directed by Kate Woods, is based on Melina Marchetta's 1992 novel of the same name. The film follows 17-year-old Italian-Australian Josephine Alibrandi (Pia Miranda), who lives in Glebe, an inner-western suburb in Sydney. Josephine, an ambitious and outspoken teenager, navigates her final year of high school while dealing with family secrets and complicated relationships. The film provides insights into the second-generation migrant experience and explores the impact of culture and family background on a young woman's journey of self-discovery. It received critical acclaim for its portrayal of Australia's ethnic immigrant communities and won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film in 2000.

The Tracker, a 2002 Australian film, tells the story of a group of men—the Fanatic, the Follower, the Veteran, and the Tracker—on an expedition to find an Aboriginal man accused of murdering a white woman. The film is set entirely outdoors in the rugged landscapes of South Australia's Flinders Ranges. It stars David Gulpilil as the Tracker, a role that was praised for its quiet and powerful performance. The Tracker explores themes of colonialism, violence, and racial tensions in Australian history. It received acclaim for its artistic choices, including the use of aboriginal drawings and music to enhance the narrative.

Both films offer unique perspectives on immigration stories within the Australian context. Looking for Alibrandi delves into the experiences of a second-generation immigrant navigating family dynamics and cultural identity. On the other hand, The Tracker confronts Australia's colonial past and ongoing racial tensions through its depiction of a search party's interactions with Aboriginal characters. These films contribute to the diverse narratives within Australian cinema and provide insights into the complexities of immigration and cultural encounters.

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Dystopian stories, including Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and The Rover

Australia has produced several critically acclaimed films over the years, including some dystopian stories such as Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and The Rover.

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior is a 1981 Australian post-apocalyptic dystopian action film directed by George Miller. It is the second instalment in the Mad Max franchise, with Mel Gibson reprising his role as "Mad Max" Rockatansky. The film follows a hardened man who helps a community of settlers defend themselves against a roving band of marauders. It was a commercial success, grossing A$10.8 million in Australia alone, and received widespread critical acclaim for its performances, musical score, cinematography, action sequences, and costume design. The sparse dialogue in the film was also unprecedented for an action film. Mad Max 2 influenced the sub-genre of post-holocaust science fiction throughout the 1980s and is regarded by many critics as one of the best films of 1981.

The Rover, released in 2014, is another Australian dystopian Western drama film written and directed by David Michôd. It is set in the Australian outback, ten years after a global economic collapse, and stars Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson. The film received generally positive reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting that 67% of film critics gave positive feedback. The performances of Pearce and Pattinson were particularly praised, with the former's "barely controlled ferocity" as Eric being described as exceptional. The film earned seven nominations at the 4th AACTA Awards, including Best Direction and Best Lead Actor.

Both Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and The Rover explore themes of lawlessness, moral decay, isolation, and survival in a world that has undergone significant societal collapse. They present a harsh and gritty vision of the future, devoid of gods and laws, where people are reduced to protecting their material possessions and striving to maintain their humanity. These films offer a chilling and authentic portrayal of a dystopian world, reflecting on the darkness that can arise from pain, disgust, and cruelty.

Overall, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and The Rover are notable contributions to the dystopian genre, showcasing Australian storytelling at its finest and providing thought-provoking commentary on the fragility of civilisation and the resilience of the human spirit.

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