
Animal Kingdom is an Australian film that was released in 2010. It is a crime drama thriller set and filmed in Melbourne, Australia. The film is loosely inspired by the real-life Pettingill family and the Walsh Street police shootings that occurred in Melbourne in 1988. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including the Australian Film Awards and an Oscar nomination for Jacki Weaver, who played the matriarch of the family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film name | Animal Kingdom |
| Year | 2010 |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Film location | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Film inspiration | Real-life Pettingill family, Walsh Street police shootings in Melbourne in 1988 |
| Film producer | Liz Watts |
| Film director | David Michôd |
| Film budget | A$5 million |
| Film cast | Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Sullivan Stapleton, James Frecheville, Laura Wheelwright, Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver, Dan Wyllie, Anna Lisa Phillips |
| Film rating | 7.2 on IMDB, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes |
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What You'll Learn

Animal Kingdom was filmed in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Animal Kingdom is an Australian film that was released in 2010. It is loosely inspired by the real-life Pettingill family and the Walsh Street police shootings that occurred in Melbourne in 1988. The film is set in Melbourne and was filmed there from 16 February 2009 to 3 April 2009.
The film received funding from Film Victoria's production investment and crew attachment programs, receiving $250,000. It was produced by Liz Watts of the Sydney-based production company Porchlight Films. The crew included cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, production designer Jo Ford, and costume designer Cappi Ireland.
Animal Kingdom premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 22 January 2010, where it won the World Cinema Jury Prize in the dramatic category. It later opened in Australia on 3 June 2010 and received critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of its cast. The film grossed $5,000,018 in Australia and $2,209,894 internationally, for a worldwide total of $7,209,912.
The success of Animal Kingdom at Sundance and its worldwide release showcased Australian filmmaking talent and the skills of Victorian filmmakers. It is a testament to the vibrant film industry and the support provided by organisations like Film Victoria.
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The film premiered in Australia on 3 June 2010
Animal Kingdom premiered in Australia on 3 June 2010. The film had premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 22 January 2010. It was released in the United States and Latin America in August 2010.
The film was written and directed by David Michôd. It was inspired by the real-life Pettingill family and the Walsh Street police shootings that occurred in Melbourne in 1988. Michôd wrote the script in December 2000, and it was titled 'J'. The script underwent several drafts, with input from various people in the film industry.
The film was shot in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, with some scenes shot in Ivanhoe East, Victoria. It was funded by Screen Australia, Film Victoria, Screen NSW, and Showtime Australia, with a budget of A$5 million.
Animal Kingdom received critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of Jacki Weaver and Ben Mendelsohn. The film was nominated for numerous Australian Film Awards and received an Oscar nomination for Weaver's performance. It grossed $5,000,018 in Australia and $2,209,894 internationally, for a worldwide total of $7,209,912.
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The film is based on the Melbourne underworld
Animal Kingdom is an Australian crime drama film released in 2010. The film is based on the Melbourne underworld and was also filmed in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The story revolves around a 17-year-old boy, Joshua J Cody, who finds himself under the care of his extended family after his mother's death from an overdose. This branch of the Cody clan, led by Joshua's scheming grandmother, Janine, is deeply involved in criminal activities, and they initiate Joshua into their criminal way of life. However, Joshua is presented with an opportunity to break free from this path when a detective, Leckie, offers him a chance to leave his family.
The film is loosely inspired by real-life events, particularly the Pettingill family and the Walsh Street police shootings that occurred in Melbourne in 1988. Director David Michôd developed a script titled "J" in December 2000, showcasing his fascination with the Melbourne underworld. Liz Watts, a producer from the Sydney-based company Porchlight Films, recognised the potential in Michôd's script and came on board, providing crucial feedback on characterisation and structure. The final version of the film, "Animal Kingdom," did not include any dialogue from the original "J" script.
The production of "Animal Kingdom" received significant financial support from Australian sources, including Film Victoria, Screen NSW, and Showtime Australia. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010, where it won the World Cinema Jury Prize in the dramatic category. This success at Sundance highlighted the talent and proficiency of Australian filmmakers and Victorian production crews. "Animal Kingdom" received critical acclaim, particularly for its pacing, script, and cast performances.
The cast of "Animal Kingdom" included notable Australian actors such as Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Sullivan Stapleton, and Jacki Weaver, who portrayed Janine Cody, Joshua's grandmother. The film was well-received, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 96% and an average rating of 8.00/10. It grossed a worldwide total of $7,209,912, with $5,000,018 in Australia alone.
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Animal Kingdom is an Australian film
The film is set and filmed in Melbourne, Australia, and received funding from various Australian film funding bodies, including Film Victoria and Screen Australia. It showcases a number of Australian actors, including Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Sullivan Stapleton, and Jacki Weaver, who received an Oscar nomination for her role.
The story centres around a 17-year-old named Josh, who, after the death of his mother, finds himself under the care of his extended family, led by his scheming grandmother. This family is heavily involved in criminal activities, and as Josh navigates their world, he is offered a way out by a detective, Leckie. The film explores themes of survival, adaptation, and the blurred lines between strong and weak, good and bad.
Animal Kingdom received critical acclaim and was well-received by audiences. It grossed over $7 million worldwide and holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film's success and its distinct Australian setting and themes solidify its place as a notable contribution to Australian cinema.
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The film received funding from Australian film bodies
The 2010 Australian crime drama film Animal Kingdom was filmed in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The film is loosely inspired by the real-life Pettingill family and the Walsh Street police shootings that occurred in Melbourne in 1988.
Animal Kingdom received funding from several Australian film bodies. The film was produced by Liz Watts of the Sydney-based production company Porchlight Films. It received $250,000 from Film Victoria's production investment and crew attachment programs. The film also received funding from Screen Australia, Screen NSW, and Showtime Australia.
The success of Animal Kingdom at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Cinema Jury Prize in the dramatic category, was seen as a testament to Australian filmmaking talent and the skills of Victorian filmmakers. The film received a record 18 nominations for the 2010 Australian Film Institute Awards across all major feature film categories.
In addition to critical acclaim, Animal Kingdom also performed well at the box office, grossing a worldwide total of $7,209,912, with $5,000,018 in Australia and $2,209,894 internationally. The film's success highlights the potential for Australian films to receive both critical and commercial success.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the film was set and filmed in Melbourne, Australia.
Animal Kingdom is a gritty Australian crime drama film about a 17-year-old boy who gets taken in by his extended family, who are criminals, after his mother dies of an overdose.
Yes, the film received critical acclaim and was well-received by the audience. It was nominated for several awards, including 18 nominations for the 2010 Australian Film Institute Awards and an Oscar nomination for Jacki Weaver.


















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