Father Geek here... On a day with such BAD, tragic, almost impossible to believe headlines screaming at us from every conceiviable news source we need to retreat into the normal, more carefree COOL news that usually graces these pages.

All of us at AICN Headquarters here in Austin, as well as all our editors and reporters around the world are totally disgusted by the events of this morning in New York and Washington, just as much we would be if it had happened in TOKYO, LONDON, MEXICO CITY, HONG KONG, PARIS, RIO, or anywhere else in the world. Our combined thoughts are with all who were touched by this terrible terrible tragedy, this evil reminder of Man's Persistent Inhumanity to Man, but enough of that.

But, before we move on here's a note from a Downunder fan...

i live and work in australia but am originally from england. as far as i'm aware no one i know was directly affected by the recent events in new york. thus i feel like i have no right to feel the way i do.

what i'm trying to say is that these horrific incidents have deeply shocked and sickened people with pretty much no connection to america, let alone new york. i cannot imagine how anyone even remotely involved must feel if i feel like this.

please know that people with a soul EVERYWHERE are thinking of and praying for all the victims - including the nearest and dearest of those murdered - of these hideous attacks.

george

Father Geek back with another note of hope from Downunder...

Great editorial on the talkback today. It is so good to see the people of America approaching this whole horrific situation with great thought and care for each other. I hope that your government can live up to you.

We're thinking of you all.

Donyale, Sydney, Australia

Here's Tamsin's and Norman's normal report from Downunder, read it and try to put the day's "most uncool" news behind you...

DOWNUNDER AICN FILM REPORT #4

AUSSIE NEWS

After the terrible tax office ruling last month reversing tax breaks for films such as MOULIN ROUGE and THE RED PLANET, it has just been announced that there will now be large tax breaks for outside film investors and more than $90 million (US$45million) in extra funding for government film bodies. This will be allocated to support the industry in areas such as script development and finance for local film and TV production. Overseas films, mini-series and telemovies with local budgets of more than $15 million (US$7.5 million) will have access to the new tax breaks. Our Treasurer, Peter Costello, announced "that the new 12.5% tax break would apply from today [Sept.3rd] for films which were still in production. Films with an Australian production budget of between $15 million (US$7.5 million) and $50 million (US$25 million) will qualify if producers spend at least 70% of the film's total budget in Australia. But films that spend AUD $50 million or more in Australia will qualify automatically, no matter what proportion of the budget is spent locally". It is a pity that these "tax breaks" are primarily there to appeal to high budget outside productions and the overall government funding for producing "Australian stories" is still a lot lower than it should be. It is an election year so who knows what other bells and whistles we may be presented in future months.

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

A New Zealand short film, STILL LIFE, has won Best Short in the "In Competition" section of the Montreal Film Festival. The film, directed by Sima Urale, explores the relationship of an elderly couple.

According to The Evening Post, the New Zealand Government has recently appointed Energy Minister Pete Godgson as the "Minister of the Rings" and will be responsible for negotiations to use elements of the film for future tourism to raise the profile of New Zealand for future film locations and visiting tourists. At least they won't have the same cringe-making resonance that the post-Crocodile Dundee, "Put another Shrimp on the Barbie" Campaign had for Australians.

AUSSIE FILM OF THE WEEK - LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI - directed by Kate Woods

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI

Though a success in Australia LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI didn't find the recognition it deserved overseas as a charming, fresh and entertaining story of a young girl's struggle to find her place in the world. Based on the novel of the same name by Melina Marchetta, the story follows Josie Alibrandi (performed magnificently by Pia Miranda) during her final year of school as she deals with pressure from her Italian family, competition and racial insults from other students, relationships with the opposite sex but mostly, the sudden arrival of the father she's never known. While an Australian story, it is one of those rare gems which has the ability to appeal to everyone. I've met girls of 10 and men of 70 who have loved this film. This is not your average teenage angst movie - it is so much more. The drama is real, the comedy is refreshing and the performances spectacular. It has just been released on DVD so look out for this one.

AUSSIE FILM PERSON OF THE WEEK

Dion Beebe

Dion Beebe's work as an innovative and stylish cinematographer deserves mention. His visuals, from films such as Jane Campion's HOLY SMOKE and Clara Law's THE GODDESS OF 1967, are always lush and intense and elevate the films to a work of "art" rather than just the filming of some action. A graduate of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), Beebe is in currently in hot demand in Australia and overseas, with two new films about to be released including, EQUILIBRIUM starring Christian Bale and CHARLOTTE GRAY directed by Gillian Armstrong. Dion Beebe is the kind of cinematographer whose films you can watch with the sound turned down.

AUSSIE FILM WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

http://www.netspace.net.au/~haze/

Yes some of the links need to be removed and updated, but I have found that this has always been a good starting point for international film research. Run by local filmmaker Richard Lowenstein (busy with the release of his new film HE DIED WITH A FELAFEL IN HIS HAND starring Noah Taylor), this website offers thousands of links to film sites all over the web. Even though I've always thought this was a good site, I do warn you that it can be a little frustrating when you find "the perfect link" only to be told that it doesn't exist anymore. Still, it is definitely worth a look. JUST CLICK HERE

Until next week,

Tamsin

tamsin@aintitcoolmail.com

Father Geek back, now here is Norman's part of this week's report...

A brief word before we get into the thick of this week's news: some of you might be wondering why the Australian government film agencies are so frequently mentioned within the Downunder AICN reports thusfar: despite a few exceptions, Australian film culture and Australian films are heavily subsidised by these bodies. By extension, we also - with tax breaks and publicly-funded (in part) infrastructure - fund a lot of YOUR films... the STAR WARS prequels, THE MATRIX trilogy, PITCH BLACK, and - cough - SCOOBY DOO.

So before you tune out of the dry-sounding news below, remember that these decisions by Ozgov flunkies could have a great impact on some of your most eagerly anticipated movies of the near future...

OZ FILM GIVEN SHOT IN ARM BY GOVERNMENT

* In money terms this pre-election funding decision by the Australian government has boosted the coffers of film agencies the AFC (Australian Film Corporation), the FFC (Film Finance Corporation), and the AFI (Australian Film Institute) by the collected amount of $92.7 million ($AUS). In general we've seen a delighted response from the film industry - FFC head Catriona Hughes said "We couldn't have asked for anything better". Welcome in this package is an allowance for the AFI to maintain their film library, and also a 30% increase in script development funds for the AFC. Yep, this is a totally "political" package in all the worst, cynical meanings of the word, but it's also welcome and unexpected succour from a conservative government desperately trying to cling onto power.

GOVERNMENT TAX BREAKS FOR BIG BUDGET FLICKS

* Part of the film swag delivered by the Goverment this week was a fairly transparent attempt to neutralise the Tax Office debacle that has lately threatened to scare the big American money away. Arts Minister Peter McGuaran said "Certainty and simplicity were the two driving criteria and we cherry-picked those qualities from the various incentive and tax schemes already operating elsewhere". In a policy announcement that would appear to neutralise fears raised by a previous AICN-Downunder report, Alex Proyas' television series of RIVERWORLD would now be eligible for tax breaks as its budget would surely exceed the $15 million Australian cut-off point. This "15 million" measure is pitched as applying to Australian productions as much as overseas ones, but as local filmnet columnist Gawain has noted, what Australian films have this sort of budget?

MELBOURNE STUDIO IN FLAMES

* Up went Planet X studios of South Yarra, Victoria early last week, causing roughly $2m damage. A fire investigation team is checking out causes. News reports I've read suggest that work on a feature film had been disrupted - anyone out there know which one?

NOT ANOTHER MATRIX STORY?

* Harry linked to this SMH story earlier in the week, but I thought I'd provide you with a bit more of an AICN-Downunder accent to it... A casting call has gone out for "hundreds" of local men, height between 6" and 6"2'. The casting session took place this Saturday just past in Sydney suburb Newtown - attention MATRIX wannabes, wanna dish on what went on during your casting call? Stars of the original film Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss have arrived in Sydney and shooting is reported to be starting in about a week. Aussie acting stalwart Steve Bastoni has joined the cast, in what is expected to be a four month shoot.

OZ UPDATE AT TORONTO FILM FEST

* More quotes from local film identities on the merits of Toronto as a first-screening venue... Scott Hicks, premiering HEARTS IN ATLANTIS, recalls a synergy started with his breakout film SHINE. "It's been a good association... Shine got its first break at Sundance, but here it won both the critics' prize and the audience award - that's when we knew the film would appeal across the board." Tom Gleisner, co-creator of THE DISH, is even more complimentary. "For us it was the perfect launch... Toronto has the perfect balance. Cannes is too star-driven and we wanted to go more mainstream than most of the Sundance films. Toronto enjoys quality product, which is not lost among the distractions of official market or star and special-effects-driven blockbusters. We felt we could find a good niche here..." Paul Cox's NIJINSKY is also debuting at Toronto, and octogenarian Tamara Nijinsky - the famous ballet artist's daughter - says she is relieved to hear that the film is a "masterpiece". Tamara is in Toronto for the premiere, and we are all hoping that her source is accurate. I look forward to the TIFF reports.

TORONTO STOP PRESS

* Nice to see a few positive Toronto reviews on AICN for Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. This film's slipped under the radar of most Australian media organisations, but I hope the strong word pushes Jordan to wider attention. TWO HANDS was an extremely strong debut.

RACHEL GRIFFITHS IN SHORTS

* I've been guilty of underrating Rachel Griffiths a few times over her diverse career. Perhaps it's her odd mix of journeyman roles (DIVORCING JACK, AMONG GIANTS, ME MYSELF I) and breakout turns (MURIEL'S WEDDING, HILARY & JACKIE, BLOW), but sometimes I find myself writing her off only to be totally surprised by unbelievable performances. What American film-goers might not know is that Griffiths is also a director, just finishing her second short film ROUNDABOUT. In an interview with local paper The Age, Griffiths concedes with typical honesty that it's a while before she can give up the day job - "what I know could be written on the head of a pin" - but it's nice to see her balancing a hectic acting schedule with some deeply personal projects (ROUNDABOUT is funded by the National Depression Initiative, about a man struggling with mental illness). Griffiths also commented on her starring turn in Alan Ball's hit series SIX FEET UNDER, acidly observing that it was unlikely to turn up on local screens until 26 episodes are in the can. I hope - really hope - that Griffiths is wrong, and that her presence is enough of a selling point to convince one of our networks to give SIX FEET UNDER a chance. As reported in a previous AICN-Downunder report, Griffiths is currently in Melbourne filming the comedy BLOOD AND GUTS with Guy Pearce.

See y'all next week...

Norman

normangunston@aintitcoolmail.com