Father Geek here, I've been off line due to are site upgrades this week, sooooo I'll be doubling up on filing all the late reports which were ALL filed on time by the various reporter/editors. The 1st of these catchup columns is our 7th AICN-Downunder report...
But first this bit from Downunder that arrived at Father Geek's desk seperately...
Thought you might find this little tidbit interesting. The Sydney Morning Herald recently printed an article about the possibility of the Godfather 4 being made. Apparently the film is being backed by some Australian business men and is titled "Popes and Presidents". The story came to light during Bill Clinton's recent sojourn downunder and the word is he was approached to play himself in the movie. The article also claimed that Pacino et al were also ready to go around once more.
I haven't been able to find anything that would confirm this so, like every other person with a shred of humanity left, let's hope it's all a piece of crap.
If you run this, call me Tetley
Now on to Tamsin's regular column...
DOWNUNDER AICN FILM REPORT # 7
Here is the DOWNUNFER FILM REPORT from Tamsin for this week...
AUSSIE NEWS
MORE HEATH LEDGER NEWS
An article from a recent Hollywood Reporter states that Aussie Heath Ledger is to star in the new film, SIN EATER, to be directed by Brian Helgeland, (A KNIGHT'S TALE). Heath will star as "a young, conflicted priest tracking down a "sin eater", who gives people absolution outside of the church by literally eating their sins." Heath has two upcoming films, MONSTER'S BALL with Halle Berry and FOUR FEATHERS, with Kate Hudson and Wes Bentley. Not bad for a young lad from Perth.
FESTIVALS
LANTANA will open the Australian Film Festival, "Killing the Koala", in New York, as part of the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Down Under Festival. Curated by film critic Paul Byrnes for the Australian Film Commission, Australian arts and culture will be featured for a month, opening on October 5th, 2001. The event will be attended by a number of Australian actors and filmmakers including Jan Chapman, Anthony LaPaglia, Kerry Armstrong, Rachel Griffiths, Susie Porter, David Wenham, Ana Kokkinos and Chris Haywood.
Screenings will include: SWEETIE, OSCAR AND LUCINDA, CHOPPER, THE BOYS, THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT, DEAD HEART, FEELING SEXY, FLOATING LIFE, LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI, MURIEL,S WEDDING, ONLY THE BRAVE, PRAISE, PROOF, ROMPER STOMPER, YOLNGU BOY, THE QUIET ROOM, THE SUM OF US, ONE NIGHT THE MOON, CONFESSIONS OF A HEAD HUNTER, NO WAY TO FORGET and FLY PEEWEE, FLY! and the documentaries: SADNESS, ETERNITY, MABO:LIFE OF AN ISLAND MAN, RATS IN THE RANKS and YEAR OF THE DOGS.
There will also be a special screening of a brand new print of Phil Noyce's NEWSFRONT (a wonderful film), and the silent classic THE KID STAKES provided courtesy of ScreenSound Australia, the National Screen and Sound Archive, as well as a program of animation and short films.
This is a fantastic opportunity to see some wonderful Australian films on the big screen.
Check out the programme at: http://www.bam.org/asp/bam_frameset.asp
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Visual Effects company, RISING SUN PICTURES, has developed a new software solution called CINESPACE which will be used in the MATRIX sequels and was used in FINAL FANTASY - THE SPIRITS WITHIN and HARRY POTTER. Developed entirely in-house at Rising Sun Picture, CINESPACE is a unique colour calibration system which was developed specifically for film visual effects. Tony Clark ACS, the managing director of Rising Sun: "It allows digital artists to quickly achieve the closest possible match between their computer monitors and the finished film output. Not only does this save time and money in film recording, it also allows for consistent calibration of monitors spread across different facilities or continents, helping to coordinate visual effects production teams." Rising Sun Pictures have also worked on QUEEN OF THE DAMNED and RED PLANET. Tony Clark ACS is a well-respected cinematographer who has shot many features including INNOCENCE and the new film from director Bill Bennett, TEMPTED.
AUSTRALIAN FILM OF THE WEEK
I finally saw the new Aussie film, LANTANA directed by Ray Lawrence (BLISS), and was absolutely blown away. The powerful screenplay by Andrew Bovell (adapted HEAD ON from the novel) presents an engrossing and spectacularly woven psychological mystery of trust, love, and deception within the context of mature relationships. The ensemble cast is outstanding and includes Anthony LaPaglia (MURDER ONE, AUTUMN IN NEW YORK), Kerry Armstrong (AMY, SEACHANGE), Geoffrey Rush (QUILLS, SHINE), Barbara Hershey, Rachel Blake (WILDSIDE, THE THREE STOOGES), Glenn Robbins (COMEDY COMPANY, A CRY IN THE DARK) Vince Colosimo (CHOPPER), Daniela Farinacci and many others. The New South Wales locations including The Blue Mountains and The Hawkesbury River were used to perfection. We can only hope that this film is part of a new wave of mature Australian films where internationally-appealing stories can be told within an Australian context without resorting to repulsive stereotypes and "quirky" characters. LANTANA deserves to be seen by world-wide audience. It is a remarkable achievement in story, directing, acting and design. This film is currently in Australian release and has screened at a number of film festivals around the world and is being distributed by Lion's Gate Entertainment in the US. This was Ray Lawrence's second film after a sixteen year absence and we can only hope that there won't be so many years between LANTANA and his next one.
AUSSIE WEB SITE OF THE WEEK - THE MELBOURNE FILM OFFICE
http://www.cinemedia.net/mfo/
The Melbourne Film Office site offers all the information needed to film in Melbourne and Victoria, including location photographs, visa requirements, crew rates and incentives. An absolute must for those interested in shooting in one of the most beautiful, and adaptable, States (and it's not just because I live here!)
http://www.cinemedia.net/mfo/
Until next week,
Tamsin
Tamsin@aintitcoolmail.com
