MEL GIBSON'S BACKON SCREEN

AUSTRALIAN FILMSSHINE IN PALM SPRINGS

AUSSIE FILM & TV NEWS

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Dear Members and Friends,

Another Australia Week in LA hascome and gone, with AIF membershaving the opportunity to attenda screening of “ Beautiful Kate”,the directorial debut of RachelWard. Both Rachel and husbandBryan Brown, who appeared in theFilm, were in attendance, as wellas many government and filmrepresentatives from SouthAustralia, where the film wasshot. Once again, AIF partneredwith Australia Week to assist withthe Black Tie Gala. This year, AIFAmbassadors, Toni Collette andSimon Baker were honored. It wasa spectacular evening, with thehighlight being Nicole Kidman andhubby Keith Urban, serenadingSimon Baker with their ownrendition of Men at Work's “LandDown Under”. It was spontaneous,light hearted and just good funand I am sure will be rememberedby all for years to come! I wouldlike to especially acknowledge myfellow Board members JennyCooney Carrillo and Rob Marsalafor their tireless efforts in rela-tion to this event and of coursethe Australia Week Committeewho consistently create a weekof fun and fresh events toshowcase our wonderful countryand all that it has to offer.

In addition to Australia Week,during this years Awards season,both Toni and Simon havegarnered Golden Globes andScreen Actors Guild nominations

and in the case of Toni, she wenton to win the Golden Globe! Hugecongratulations from all of us!

Last month, we also screenedMel Gibson's latest drama “Edgeof Darkness”. On February 4, wescreen “Blessed” starring FrancesO'Connor and Miranda Otto andon March 4th we screen “Alicein Wonderland” in 3D. This starsAIF Breakthrough Awards winnerMia Wasikowska along with JohnnyDepp. Can't wait!

Finally, we know that a numberof you were dissappointed thatAIF had to cancel its Christmasparty in December because ofbad weather. We have decidedto reschedule and have Christmasin July! So watch out for detailson that.

A big thank you to Paul Hoegh-Guldberg, of Vox+Associates,who volunteered his time todesign the newsletter this month.There is a lot of work involved andhe has done a great job. And thankyou to our new volunteer, MichaelKelleher, for his IT consulting andongoing work with AiF.

Warmest wishes,

Paula Paizes

1. From the President

2. News

4. Center Stage -meet members Robert Taylorand Steve Newman

6. Mel Gibson returns to acting

7. Edge of Darkness Screening

8. Australian Films Shinein Palm Springs

10. Reel Alerts

PresidentPaula Paizes

Vice PresidentDavid Pratt

Chairman of the BoardSusie Dobson

Treasurer & SecretaryRob Marsala

Board MembersJenny Cooney Carillo, MichelleDay, Andrew Warne, Megan Worthy

Executive DirectorSophie Scarf

EditorsSusie Dobson and Sophie Scarfeditor@australiansinfilm.org

DesignPaul Hoegh-Guldbergwww.voxassociates.com

CoverMel Gibson in “Edge of Darkness”courtesy of Warner Bros.

News SubmissionsPlease email the Editor with anyAustralian or member film-relatednews or announcements.

Australians in Film2800 28th St, Suite 320Santa Monica CA 90405Tel: 310 452-5939Fax: 323 446-8724www.australiansinfilm.orgadministrator@australiansinfilm.org

W H O ’ S W H O AT A i F

C O N T E N T S

T H E B O O M E R A N G

FROMTHEPRESIDENT

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Mel Gibson is in talks to starin Universal Pictures spythriller COLD WARRIOR to bedirected by “Lethal Weapon”writer, Shane Black.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT starring AussieMia Wasikowska has beenpurchased by Focus Featuresfor US distribution at thisyear’s Sundance FilmFestival.The film also stars AnnetteBening and Julianne Moore.

DAYBREAKERSDirected by Spierig BrothersStarringSam Neil & Isabel Lucas& Claudia KarvanRelease date:January 8, 2010

EDGE OF DARKNESSDirected by Martin CampbellStarringMel Gibson & Bojana NovakovicRelease Date:January 29, 2010

Roxanne MellowayMark GoellnichtBelinda GosbeePaul GilchristStef DawsonRamin NiamiGordon BurgerKurt OldmanPaul Pirola

Thursday February 4 2010BLESSEDStarring AFI Winnerfor Best ActressFrances O'Connor

Thursday March 4 2010ALICE IN WONDERLANDStarring Mia Wasikowska

NEWSA U S S I E ’ SI N T H E L I M E L I G H TG’DAYUSABALL

N E W M E M B E R S

A i F U P C O M I N GS C R E E N I N G S

FrancesO’Connor

Nicole Kidman& Keith Urban

MelGibson

Grant Bower& Georgina Whitford

Toni Collette& Simon Baker

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NEWS

JUDELAWJOINSTHEHEATHLEDGERSCHOLARSHIPJUDGINGPANEL

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Q: Where were you bornand raised?

A: I was born in New York Cityand lived there until my familymigrated to Melbourne, Australiawhen I was 12 years old.

Q: How did you getinvolved in your currentcareer?

A: I was working part-time asan usher for Hoyts Cinemas whileattending Melbourne University.One day I was approached abouta position that has becomeavailable in the Hoyts AdvertisingDepartment. I accepted theposition and spent 2 years withHoyts before leaving for LosAngeles where I accepteda position in the MarketingDepartment at TwentiethCentury Fox.

Q: If you weren't in yourcurrent career what wouldyou be doing?

A: I was lucky enough to fallinto the entertainment industrywhile still attending universityso I haven't had to give anyserious thought to another career.I was really into my Psychsub-major at uni and still findthe idea of working as a therapist very appealing.

Q: Who do you mostadmire?

A: To make this one a little easierto answer I'll contain it to who Imost admire within the entertain-ment business. That person wouldprobably have to be Hugh Jackmanwho I worked with on "Australia".I rarely meet people who have

achieved that level of success andstill retain their goodness as a human being. That man hasachieved superstardom and yet isstill incredibly kind, generous andsupportive to everyone he isaround. Plus he has a fantasticsense of humor.

Q: What advice would yougive someone who wantsto follow in your footsteps?

A: I think the secret of my suc-cess has been the passion that I'vehad for what I do. I was once upfor the unit publicist's position ona film Mel Brooks was producing.I had only a few film credits atthe time and was up against acouple of pros who had long listsof credits. I mentioned to MrBrooks that I was aware of being

up against formidable competitionand admitted that I couldn'tcompete with their credits. Buthe remembered me when I wasa junior publicist at Fox and toldme how impressed he was withmy enthusiasm for what I did.Based on that passion I landedthe job. It hasn't ever let medown.

Q: What are you workingon at the moment?

A: I'm working on the film "What'sWrong With Virginia" directedby Academy Award-winningscreenwriter Dustin Lance Blackin his directorial debut andstarring Jennifer Connelly, EdHarris, Emma Roberts and Aussienewcomer Harrison Gilbertson.

CENTERSTAGE

STEVENNEWMANM E M B E R P R O F I L E

Sophie Scarfcaught up with theAiF member andMarketingCommitteevolunteer recently.

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Q: Where do you callhome?

A: I've lived in Perth, Adelaide,Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, andCoolangatta/Tweed. I lived mostof the nineties in London. Sohome is where the… I don't knowreally. I can't think of anywhereI'd rather be than Los Angeles.

Q: How long have you beenin Los Angeles?

A: We (my wife Juliet and I) camefor six months in 2004 and we'vebeen back for two and a half yearsnow. Damn, it's gone quick!

Q: Do you come froma creative background?

A: My father was in radio andtelevision: 2DU (Dubbo!!), 5AD,6PR, 3UZ - Top 40 when he wasyounger; talkback as he got older.In the '60s he hosted IMT inMelbourne a couple of times whenGraham Kennedy was on vacation.He also hosted an IMT-type showon Channel 7 in Adelaide. It airedtwice-weekly: one airing wascalled “Tonight With Taylor”, and the second was the unfortunatelytitled “Taylor's In Town” - or TIT for short. His best mate in the '60swas Bert Newton, so it was apleasure meeting Matt Newton atthe Australians in Film screeningslast year.

Q: What have beenthe pivotal points in yourcareer?

A: My first paid gig, which wasadapting a Frank Hardy novel(never produced unfortunately).My first successful AFC application(never produced unfortunately!)My first produced feature, Muggers, and the AWGIEnomination for Best OriginalScreenplay.

The film premiered at Cannes which was a highlight andreceived a standing ovation at thesecond screening. When we cameout of the cinema the poster hadbeen bannered: “Due to PublicDemand - A Third Screening willbe held.” These were all pricelessmoments and I hope every screen-writer has a similar experience.

Q: Who has beeninstrumental in helping youachieve your career goals?

A: Producers Nigel Odell andDavid Redman. Karin Altman atThe AFC has been a big supporterfor a long time. In the very earlydays I wrote a monumentallyawful screenplay and sent it toPhilip Adams. Despite theappalling quality Phil called mein for a meeting and spent an hourgiving sage advices. A truly greatAustralian, Philip.

Q: Do you have anyscreenplays out and about?

A: I have two original screenplaysunder option. One is with DavidRedman and Michel Shane (CatchMe if You Can & I, Robot), and theother is with Nigel Odell andGareth Wiley who won a GoldenGlobe for Best Picture for WoodyAllen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona,as well as Match Point.

CENTERSTAGE

ROBERTTAYLORM E M B E R P R O F I L E

Writer and AiFmember RobertTaylor answerssome questionsthis month.

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After a seven-year absence infront of the camera, Mel Gibsonreturns this month to star in EDGEOF DARKNESS, a thriller directedby Martin Campbell. We werefortunate to have him joinmembers and VIPs of Australiansin Film for a sold-out screeningand Q&A at The Landmark in WestLA the night before the filmopened nationwide.Gibson plays Thomas Craven,a man driven by grief and search-ing for the truth after his onlychild, Emma, is gunned down bya bullet the police believe wasmeant for him. Shattered by hisdaughter's sudden death, the vet-eran Boston police officer is look-ing for answers and will take on-or take down-anything or anyonein who stands in his way. Hisdaughter is played by youngAustralian actress BojanaNovakovic, who, like Gibson is a NIDA graduate, but whosecasting was not a result of thegum leaf mafia at work accordingto Gibson, but simply becausedirector Martin Campbell felt shewas right for the role.A relaxed and chatty Gibson gaveinsights to moderator Andre Warneand the audience about his actingprocess, future projects and whatits like returning to acting afterdirecting two films of his own.“Part of the reason,” he didn’t

act for so long, Gibson said washe felt like he was “getting

stale”. Coming back now, hehopes he has added “nuances” thevengeful character may not havehad without this renewed pleasurefor acting. In one scene, Craven witnessesthe terrible death of his daughter.When asked by a member how heprepares for such an emotionallywrenching scene, he told thecrowd that for him, “It starts withbreathing.” He finds the breaththat emotion creates and startshis performance there.

Another member wondered ifGibson had considered making afilm in Australia (his last work wasacting in 1995’s MAD MAX BEYONDTHUNDERDOME). Agreeing it wasa good idea, but not on hishorizon for now, he talkedenthusiastically and amusingly

about his next projects, acting inTHE BEAVER directed by his goodfriend Jodie Foster, HOW I SPENTMY SUMMER VACATION, co-written

with his 1st and 2nd ADs fromApocalypto, which is set in aMexican prison and his Vikingproject with Leonardo DeCaprio. Generously taking questionsbeyond “last question” Gibson wasclearly comfortable in a room thatincluded friends and colleagues ofhis, as well as Australians in Filmmembers. Gibson said he hopesaudiences will like the film andwelcome his return as an actor.Australians in Film memberscertainly did. The film now holdsthe record for quickest screening

to sell out. The entire theatrewas filled in less than two days.Special thanks to Mary Hunter andWarner Bros and Mark Gooder andIcon Productions for arranging thescreening.EDGE OF DARKNESS is based onthe award wining BBC miniseriesand was filmed around Boston.

Directed by Martin Campbell, thescreenplay is by William Monahan& Andrew Bovell and co-stars RayWinston & Danny Huston.

FEATURE

MELGIBSONRETURNSTOACTING

Mel Gibson, Bojana Novakovic, Martin Campbell& Graham King on the set.

Mel Gibson, Bojana Novakovic.

Ray Winstone

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EDGEOFDARKNESSSCREENING

Mel Gibson

Andrew Warne, Sophie Scarf, Mel Gibson, Susie Dobson

Vivien Flitton & Mel

Paloma Felisbertoof Protea GroupInternational and Mel

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I had the privilege of being invitedto be a member of the FIPRESCIjury at the International PalmSprings Film Festival in January.FIPRESCI is the international boardof film critics, and a select groupof film journalists from around theworld came to the Festival toaward the FIPRESCI prize for BestForeign Film. We view the officialBest Foreign Language Films whichare submitted from around theworld for consideration for thisyear's Academy Awards. While theonly home grown film in our listwas the sublime “Samson andDelilah”, ( we chose as our winnerthe intriguing and inventiveSwedish film, “Involuntary) it wasan appropriate year to have anAussie member on the jury as thisyear's festival for the first timepresented a major focus onAustralian cinema. January 9 was pronounced“Australia Day” at the Festivalwith a gala event screening (with

G'Day USA) of Sarah Watt's comicbut touching “My Year WithoutSex” starring Sacha Horler andMatt Day. Many Australian starsattended including AnthonyLaPaglia, Frances O'Connor,

Rachel Ward, Bryan Brown, AdenYoung and directors, Ana Kokkinos,Warwick Thornton, RobertConnolly and Tom Murray.Over the course of the two weekfestival nine Australian films ( many were US Premiers) werescreened (Samson + Delilah,Blessed, Beautiful Kate, TheBalibo Conspiracy, Lucky Country,Last Ride, In My Father's Country,My Year Without Sex and a newlyrestored version of the 70s classic,Wake in Fright) to recordattendances.

Ana Kokkinos whose film Blessed,made it US premier in PalmSprings was thrilled at theresponse. “It was great to see theUS audience connect so strongly tothe film and found it such a mov-

ing experience. They all felt thiswas an important film that USaudiences should see.”The idea to feature Australianfilms began in Cannes whenFestival programmers saw“Samson and Delilah”. SaysFestival Director, DarrylMacdonald: “Then throughoutthe year we kept seeing all theseexceptional Australian films. Outof all the countries we could havehighlighted we all agreed thatAustralia had by far the strongestyear.” The Festival's embrace ofAustralian cinema reflects awidely held international opinionthat this past year has been oneof Australia's best years forcinema, reflecting a new vibrancyand robust storytelling.

“What really struck meis the diversity in terms of subjectmatter and the freshness to them,“says Darryl Macdonald.” Therereally feels like there is a revital-ized approach to story telling. Tome it reads like a new approach.”With Samson and Delilah's win ofthe prestigious Camera d'Or atCannes last year, a record numberof 17 Australian features screeningat the past Toronto Film Festivaland this year's focus at Palm

FEATURE

AUSTRALIANFILMSSHINEINPALMSPRINGSReport from Palm Springs International Film Festival:By Katherine Tulich

BryanBrown & RachelWard

AnthonyLaPaglia & RobertConnolly

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Springs, the international embraceof our recent cinema exportscould not come at a better time. With their difficult subject mat-ters (“Samson and Delilah's” real-istic portrait of contemporaryteenage Aboriginal life, suburbanincest in “Beautiful Kate”, amother recovering from a brainaneurysm in “My Year WithoutSex”, troubled teens and theirmothers in “Blessed”) there hasbeen heated debates in Australiarecently that the industry is notproviding the bonafide box officewinners and audience pleasers ofthe past. The debate was very much on themind of many of the Australianfilm attendees I spoke to at the

Festival. Bryan Brown was particu-larly blunt in his summation.”I think it's the media that has aproblem, not the films. It's a greatyear for Australian films,' he toldme. “I think it's a mature industryand we tell stories that other peo-ple aren't game to tell. We are avery bold cinema.”Rachel Ward who makes her fea-ture writing and directing debutwith “Beautiful Kate” a complextake on family dysfunction whichstars Brown, Ben Mendelsohn,Rachel Griffiths and hot newcomerSophie Lowe, agrees. “If theythink our films our tough theyshould some of the films comingfrom other countries, “she says.Ward was thrilled with the film'sresponse at the Festival. “Wereally love the Palm Springsaudiences. They don't muckaround here. If they don't like afilm, they'll walk out,” says Ward.“With our film they were gripped

and engrossed as you would hopethem to be.”'“I think all serious films get arough time these days,” says AnaKokkinos. “It's an increasing globalproblem, and smaller numbers ofpeople are going to see thesefilms, but it doesn't mean weshould abandon them. Australiahas had a number of films thatbreak out and are hugely success-ful and we celebrate those but it'salso important to make films thatare culturally relevant and reacha different audience”For Warwick Thornton, PalmSprings had been the last festivalstop after a very busy year for hismulti award winning film,“Samson and Delilah” which wasshort listed for the AcademyAwards Foreign Language category.He feels box office receipts shouldnot be Australian film's primedirective. “My idea of Australiancinema is cultural maintenance

not box office. We're fightingHollywood in many ways to keepour language, our accents and ourstories on the screen. That'sso much more important thanmoney,” he says.“Word of mouth is everything witha film like ours” says Anthony

LaPaglia, star of the “The BaliboConspiracy” which also proved tobe a Festival favorite. “This hasreally been a slow burn movie,and festivals like this have reallybeen keeping the momentumgoing on it.” “I think this has created a very

visible platform for Australiancinema in the US. We hada number of buyers here anda highlight package like this canreally garner their attention,”says Festival Director, DarylMacdonald. Expect the Palm Springs FilmFestival to continue its love affairwith Australian cinema in futurefestivals. Says Macdonald: “Weare great fans of the Australiancinema and would be thrilled tofeature Australian films as part ofour program every year.”

FEATURE

Australian Gala Atmosphere

FrancesO'Connor, DarrylMacdonald & AnaKokkinos

Katherine Tulich & Friends

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REELALERTS

Samson & DelilahMakes History YetAgainWarwick Thornton's SAMSON & DELILAH makes history as thefirst Australian film short listedon the road to Oscar glory inthe Foreign Language Filmcategory. It is one of nine filmsnominated from sixty-fiveeligible films. The 82ndAcademy Awards nominationswill be announced on Tuesday,February 2, 2010. AcademyAwards for outstanding filmachievements of 2009 will bepresented on Sunday, March 7, 2010.

Focus on DionAiF Board of Advisor DionBeebe has been nominated forBest Cinematography for hiswork on NINE by the AmericanSociety of Cinematographers.

Squared AwayApparition has acquired NorthAmerican rights to the thrillerTHE SQUARE directed by NashEdgerton and starring JoelEdgerton. AiF screened THESQUARE in October 2008.

Seek & You WillFindAiF Member Brett Couttslanded a guest role in LEGENDOF THE SEEKER.Congratulations!

Hunk of BurningLoveHugh Jackman has beatenSam Worthington and Eric Banato the top of a new list ofAussie hunks.We partnered with movie tick-ets website Fandango.com andasked thousands of film fans topick their favorite Aussie sexsymbol as part of a new cam-paign, and Jackman was theclear winner.Simon Baker, Chris Hemsworth,Ryan Kwanten and JesseSpencer, Juliam McMahon AlexO'Loughlin and Adam Garcia allmade the top 10.

There's NoBusiness LikeShow BusinessThe ICG Publicists will honourAussie TV producer ShaneBrennan with its small screenshowmanship award. Brennanis the executive producer ofNCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles.

Berlin BoundFour Australian films have beenselected for the prestigious60th Annual BerlinInternational Film Festival.Features are Patrick Hughes'RED HILL, Rachel Perkins' BRANNUE DAE, FRANSWA SHARL,directed by Hannah Hilliardand short film First Contact.

NCIS: Los Angeles

Dion Bebee& fellow Aussie Oscarwinner Eva Orner.

Brett Coutts

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AiF SponsorsWe greatly appreciate the involvement and support of our sponsors. You or your organization can become asponsor of Australians in Film. We’d be happy to talk to you to see we can tailor AiF to best benefit yourcompany.

Contact Executive Director Sophie Scarf for more information.Email sscarf@australiansinfilm.org or phone 310 452 5939

Gillian Armstrong•Simon Baker•Eric Bana•Cate Blanchett•Bryan Brown•Rose Byrne•Toni Collette•Abbie CornishRussell Crowe•Roger Donaldson•Deborra Lee Furness•Melissa George•Mel Gibson•Rachel Griffiths•Scott HicksBarry Humphries•Hugh Jackman•Nicole Kidman•Anthony Lapaglia•Baz Luhrmann•Robert Luketic•JacquelineMcKenzie•Julian McMahon•George Miller•Kylie Minogue•Radha Mitchell•Poppy Montgomery•Olivia Newton JohnPhillip Noyce•Frances O’Connor•Miranda Otto•Guy Pearce•Richard Roxburgh•Geoffrey Rush•Fred SchepisiNaomi Watts•Hugo Weaving•David Wenham•Sarah Winter

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