Father Geek here posting another newsy fun column from our downunder editor/reporter Tamsin. As usual film coolness abounds in her report. Sooooooo check it all out below. Oh yeah make sure to look over AICN's front page well today because there are other Downunder related stories posted on the site this week.

First I've got this bit for those LOTR: FOTR fans in the New York City area... Please join Peter Jackson (director), Fran Walsh, (screenwriter and co-producer), Howard Shore (composer), and Christopher Lee (actor) for an in-store discussion of "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING" on Friday, February 22, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, Union Square (33 East 17th Street), New York City!

How coooooooool is that? Now, here's our lovely Tamsin...

DOWNUNDER REPORT #21

By Tamsin

Here is my report for this week...

DOWNUNDER AWARDS...

. BENEATH CLOUDS, written and directed by first-timer Australian Ivan Sen, has won the inaugural First Movie Award, at the Berlin Film Festival. The judges described the film as 'an outstanding work that utilises all cinematic elements with great discipline and artistry to touch our souls." 17 year old Danielle Hall, starring in her first film role, was awarded the New Talent Award for Best Young Actress.

Australian director, Tony Ayres, was awarded The Teddy award for best feature film and the Reader's Prize of the Siegessule, for his film WALKING ON WATER. A Special Mention in the Kinderfilmfest section and a Special Mention in the Crystal Bear Award for Best Short Film was awarded to Australian Jane Manning for her short film DELIVERY DAY.

. The London Film Critics' Circle has named MOULIN ROUGE best international film of the year. Nicole Kidman has won for best international actress of the year while Ewan McGregor won for best British actor. During his acceptance speech, McGregor critisised voter of Hollywood's motion picture academy for overlooking Baz Luhrmann for best director. "It's scandalous that Baz Luhrmann is not an Oscar nominee," McGregor told the crowd.

DOWNUNDER NEWS

. Aussie Robert Luketic (LEGALLY BLONDE) has signed on to direct DATE SCHOOL, for Dreamworks Studios. DATE SCHOOL is about the proprietor of a Learning Annex-type dating school who falls for a student. Sounds...interesting!

Luketic is also developing 20th Century Fox's romantic comedy feature, BOYS-R-US and a remake of the 1973 ABC telefilm THE GIRL MOST LIKELY TO....

. STAR WARS: ATTACK OF THE CLONES

Apparently Aussie actors have been allowed to keep their accents in EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES. Some Aussie actors to star in the movie are Leeanna Walsman (LOVE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD), as the bounty hunter Zam Wessell and Joel Edgerton (THE SECRET LIFE OF US) who is playing Owen Lars, Luke Skywalker's uncle.

Other Australians will include Jack Thompson as Owen's father, Matt Doran, Anthony Phelan, Bonnie Piesse, New Zealander Marton Csokas, Ronald Falk and Susie Porter as a waitress.

Trisha Noble will be playing Queen Amidala mother, Graeme Blundell her father, Claudia Karvan her sister and Rose Byrne her handmaiden.

. SOME MORE NEWS RE: ATTACK OF THE CLONES FROM CLINT AT MOVIEHOLE

The new Owen Lars of Star Wars, Joel Edgerton talked to Filmink about his plum role in the upcoming EPISODE 2 : ATTACK OF THE CLONES.

Joel admits his friends, who shrugged their shoulders up til now at his achievements, are in awe now because of the part he has scored.

"It's completely surreal", says Joel. After two days at Fox Studios, Australia - Joel flew to Tunsia.

He says working with Lucas was "easy really, there was no torment, we'll he's not directing Raging Bull! He only asked me to once change the tone of a line. His real actors are the special effects. He was pretty quiet, except off set", says Joel.

Meaning? "He just wants to be one of the boys. I think the cult status that he's created is something that actually frightens him".

Edgerton also touched upon a film he has just completed with Guy Pearce called THE HARD WORD. Guy's a legend", says Joel. "He's right in the work, does lots of prep. He's a model for a great career".

It's unknown as to whether or not Edgerton is a part of Episode III at this stage.

. CUT DEEPER

FILMINK magazine (http://www.filmink.com.au) has an update on horror sequel, CUT 2: CUT DEEPER, and who will be starring.

The trade reports that the sequel, which they can claim is in pre-production is nearing casting. "Filmink was one of the few publications to get in the film's corner on it's cinematic release, but the campy, highly enjoyable flick has had some success overseas, so there's truth to the rumours", the report reads. The magazine reports that 80's screen couple - Andrew McCarthy and Molly Ringwald - who starred in PRETTY IN PINK together - are to re-unite for the CUT sequel, McCarthy playing a new character, Ringwald reprising her role from the first CUT. Directing is Kimble Rendall.

Clint Morris

Webmaster url : http://www.moviehole.net

. Sadly, 38 year old New Zealander, Kevin Smith, star of XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, died in a Beijing hospital after falling six storeys on February 6th. He was about to start work in Hawaii opposite Bruce Willis in the action film MAN OF WAR. . FINDING NEMO

Rumours abound that Australia will be the setting for the new underwater-themed production from Pixar Animation Studios, FINDING NEMO. The film, which is scheduled for a 2003 release, tells the story of a young clownfish who is stolen from his coral reef, and his timid father who embarks on a search for him. According to sources, Geoffrey Rush will voice the father character, and the film is expected to provide us with an animated interpretation of the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney.

. GHOST SHOP

Shooting began last week in Queensland, at Movie World Studios and on-location in Moreton Bay, on the film GHOST SHOP, starring Julianna Margulies, Gabriel Byrne, Ron Eldard and Alex Dimitriades. It is a thriller about a boat salvage crew who discover the remains of a passenger liner that disappeared 40 years earlier. Once onboard, the crew must "confront the ship's horrific past and face the ultimate fight for their lives".

. Some MAD MAX news from reader Beatrice

The radio station here 6MD - Merredin talked to a second unit director who has some news on Mad Max 4 you might be interested in.

They said George Miller will film in Africa this time - not Australia. They also said Max is in the script, but Heath Ledger has agreed to play the main part, and if Gibson decides not to return for the cameo as Max they might even ask Steve Bisley to play the role as sort of a thankyou for his time on part 1.

Thanks Beatrice!

DOWNUNDER REVIEW...

RABBIT-PROOF FENCE

Just released is the Phil Noyce-directed (NEWSFRONT, DEAD CALM), Chris Doyle-shot (FALLEN ANGELS, HAPPY TOGETHER) film, RABBIT-PROOF FENCE, about three Aboriginal girls who are "stolen" from their mother and placed in an adjustment home for half-castes in 1931. Based on a true story, this film works on all levels because it is simply about three girls trying to make it home. The visuals are stunning but also symbolically gut-wrenching when the girls reach their lowest points. The performances are exceptional and Phil Noyce did a wonderful job guiding the raw talent into pure, honest character representations and allowed more seasoned actors, such as David Gulpilil room to shine. I think it was truly evident that the film had succeeded when a small, 8 year old boy behind me, turned to his Dad after the film had ended and said, "I think my favourite one was Gracie."

Tamsin

Tamsin@aintitcoolmail.com