Similar to France’s New Extremity, Australia experienced its own significant genre resurgence in the 2000s. Most agree the Land Down Under’s golden days of filmmaking began in the ’70s and then drew to a close around the late ‘80s. This period, better known as the Australian New Wave, soared to new heights after the government issued substantial support for the arts. After a steep decline in the ‘90s, though, homegrown horror made a slow but noticeable comeback in the early 21st century. And no other movie from that era is more responsible for bringing Australia back into the conversation than 2005’s bleak and stylish Wolf Creek.
It wouldn’t be a mid-2000s horror movie without the practically mandatory and hyperbolic “based on true events” promotion. In this case, though, Wolf Creek is indeed inspired by a ripped-from-the-headlines true crime. Several, in fact. Ivan Milat, who died in...
It wouldn’t be a mid-2000s horror movie without the practically mandatory and hyperbolic “based on true events” promotion. In this case, though, Wolf Creek is indeed inspired by a ripped-from-the-headlines true crime. Several, in fact. Ivan Milat, who died in...
- 11/3/2023
- by Paul Lê
- bloody-disgusting.com
Stars: Paula Brasca, Marie Ruane, Sophia Davey, Cassandra Magrath, Michael Lorz | Directed by Charly Goitia, Ryan J. Thomson, Lorcan Finnegan, Nathan Crooker, Adam O’Brien, Mia’Kate Russell, David M. Night Maire
Based on a concept by Michael Kraetzer, Nightmare Radio: The Night Stalker is an anthology feature assembled from short films released as early as 2011. The wraparound segments come from director Charly Goitia, as late-night radio DJ Candy (Paula Brasca) asks listeners to call in and share their real-life horror stories. In between the wild experiences recounted on-air, an obsessed fan takes great lengths to make sure Candy hears his voice – even if it sounds like someone trying to mimic Roger L. Jackson’s Ghostface voice.
Playtime opens the film in the middle of the night, punctuated by a television turning on and awakening a sleeping woman. As she ventures downstairs to investigate, a spectre dressed as a bride appears before piling on the spooky occurrences.
Based on a concept by Michael Kraetzer, Nightmare Radio: The Night Stalker is an anthology feature assembled from short films released as early as 2011. The wraparound segments come from director Charly Goitia, as late-night radio DJ Candy (Paula Brasca) asks listeners to call in and share their real-life horror stories. In between the wild experiences recounted on-air, an obsessed fan takes great lengths to make sure Candy hears his voice – even if it sounds like someone trying to mimic Roger L. Jackson’s Ghostface voice.
Playtime opens the film in the middle of the night, punctuated by a television turning on and awakening a sleeping woman. As she ventures downstairs to investigate, a spectre dressed as a bride appears before piling on the spooky occurrences.
- 4/24/2023
- by James Rodrigues
- Nerdly
Stars: Paul O’Brien, Georgia Walters, Kristy Wordsworth, Teressa Liane, Hafedh Dakhlaoui, Cassandra Magrath, Amy Christian, Natasha Maymon, Amir Aizenstros, Josh Karlik, Luke Davis, Igor Bulanov | Written and Directed by Corey Pearson
Written and directed by Corey Pearson, The Spy Who Never Dies is a quirky action rom-com about an international spy named Brad (Paul O’Brien), who’s sick of saving the world and is looking for more from life, in fact just a “normal” life. A life with no guns, no villains, no recovering plutonium. A serendipitous event (as in Brad stealing a dog post-assassination) has Brad meeting a seemingly normal girl named Veronica (Georgia Walters) a smart, cute, vet. Veronica has a congenital heart condition, any excessive elevation in her adrenaline and heart rate could end her life. On top of that, she is allergic to bees, so a recipe for disaster… probably.
The film follows Brad as...
Written and directed by Corey Pearson, The Spy Who Never Dies is a quirky action rom-com about an international spy named Brad (Paul O’Brien), who’s sick of saving the world and is looking for more from life, in fact just a “normal” life. A life with no guns, no villains, no recovering plutonium. A serendipitous event (as in Brad stealing a dog post-assassination) has Brad meeting a seemingly normal girl named Veronica (Georgia Walters) a smart, cute, vet. Veronica has a congenital heart condition, any excessive elevation in her adrenaline and heart rate could end her life. On top of that, she is allergic to bees, so a recipe for disaster… probably.
The film follows Brad as...
- 6/7/2022
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Stars: Cassandra Magrath, John Voce, Nicholas Denton, Nikola Dubois, Lee Mason | Written by Darren Markey | Directed by Kate Whitbread
Filmed and released in its native Australia as The Unlit, Witches of Blackwood is a slow-burning tale of family secrets and dark heritages. How does writer Darren Markey and director Kate Whitbread’s (Surviving Georgia) addition to the current folk horror revival compare to other recent additions like The Last Thing Mary Saw and The Righteous? Is it at least better than Hellbender?
Claire is a cop. She’s currently on suspension pending the results of an investigation of a suicide that happened in her presence. A call from her Uncle Cliff (John Voce; Primeval) with news of another death brings her back to her hometown of Blackwood.
Blackwood is a beautiful looking town, but its streets seem deserted. Indeed some old letters she finds at her late father’s farm talk of people,...
Filmed and released in its native Australia as The Unlit, Witches of Blackwood is a slow-burning tale of family secrets and dark heritages. How does writer Darren Markey and director Kate Whitbread’s (Surviving Georgia) addition to the current folk horror revival compare to other recent additions like The Last Thing Mary Saw and The Righteous? Is it at least better than Hellbender?
Claire is a cop. She’s currently on suspension pending the results of an investigation of a suicide that happened in her presence. A call from her Uncle Cliff (John Voce; Primeval) with news of another death brings her back to her hometown of Blackwood.
Blackwood is a beautiful looking town, but its streets seem deserted. Indeed some old letters she finds at her late father’s farm talk of people,...
- 9/17/2021
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
David Lightfoot, producer of films such as Wolf Creek, died on Sunday following complications from recent surgery.
Lightfoot worked in the screen industry for more than 30 years, beginning at the South Australian Film Corporation in 1982.
His prolific career spanned more than 80 credits in various roles, including associate producer of Bad Boy Bubby; location manager for Babe; co-producer for The Sound of One Hand Clapping and line producer for Japanese Story.
Lightfoot was both producer and line producer for Greg McLean’s 2005 hit Wolf Creek, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and screened in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.
He continued to collaborate with McLean on 2007’s Rogue, and went on to produce Rupert Glasson’s thriller Coffin Rock in 2009.
Mickey Rourke, Matt Hearn, Greg McLean, Cassandra Magrath and David Lightfoot in Cannes, 2005.
More recently, via his company Ultrafilms, he produced Jack Thompson, Jacki Weaver and James Cromwell-starrer Never Too Late with Antony I. Ginnane.
Lightfoot worked in the screen industry for more than 30 years, beginning at the South Australian Film Corporation in 1982.
His prolific career spanned more than 80 credits in various roles, including associate producer of Bad Boy Bubby; location manager for Babe; co-producer for The Sound of One Hand Clapping and line producer for Japanese Story.
Lightfoot was both producer and line producer for Greg McLean’s 2005 hit Wolf Creek, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and screened in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.
He continued to collaborate with McLean on 2007’s Rogue, and went on to produce Rupert Glasson’s thriller Coffin Rock in 2009.
Mickey Rourke, Matt Hearn, Greg McLean, Cassandra Magrath and David Lightfoot in Cannes, 2005.
More recently, via his company Ultrafilms, he produced Jack Thompson, Jacki Weaver and James Cromwell-starrer Never Too Late with Antony I. Ginnane.
- 6/15/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Australian feature to shoot in May 2018.
London-based sales outfit Sc Films International has boarded international rights to Australian sci-fi thriller The Dust Walker ahead of next month’s market at the Cannes Film Festival.
From writer-director Sandra Sciberras (Caterpillar Wish), the film is about an alien spaceship that crashes in the isolated Australian desert, turning the local townsfolk into soulless beings. With the outbreak spreading, the local sergeant must fight to protect her family.
Jolene Anderson, who stars in Blumhouse’s upcoming horror Prey, plays the lead with Stef Dawson (Guardians Of The Tomb), Richard Davies (Bruce) and Cassandra Magrath...
London-based sales outfit Sc Films International has boarded international rights to Australian sci-fi thriller The Dust Walker ahead of next month’s market at the Cannes Film Festival.
From writer-director Sandra Sciberras (Caterpillar Wish), the film is about an alien spaceship that crashes in the isolated Australian desert, turning the local townsfolk into soulless beings. With the outbreak spreading, the local sergeant must fight to protect her family.
Jolene Anderson, who stars in Blumhouse’s upcoming horror Prey, plays the lead with Stef Dawson (Guardians Of The Tomb), Richard Davies (Bruce) and Cassandra Magrath...
- 4/25/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Whether it’s a prequel series to “Taken,” Starz’s TV take on Steven Soderbergh’s “The Girlfriend Experience,” HBO’s ever-promised “Westworld” TV remake or FX’s excellent on-going “Fargo” anthology series, to simply name a select few, TV is unquestionably where it’s at right now for Hollywood, with executives dusting off whatever properties they can find hoping they’ll find a second life on the smaller screen. (A subject we discussed in depth just a couple of weeks ago). So maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising to see the same thing happening over in the Lucky Country with Stan’s upcoming six-part “Wolf Creek” series. Based on the cult 2005 Australian horror film of the same name, the first unflinching, suspense-driven trailer is now making its rounds across the web. Where Greg McLean’s original film focused on three backpackers (Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath, Kestie Morassi) who...
- 3/31/2016
- by Will Ashton
- The Playlist
Scare Campaign has secured international sales, including a deal with Metrodome Distribution in the UK..
The film, directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes (100 Bloody Acres) and produced by Julie Ryan (Red Dog), has sold to the UK, Latin America, the Middle East, Turkey, Greece and Indonesia..
.We are thrilled that the fantastic traction Scare Campaign has gained through positive media reviews, sold out screenings and social media, has translated into an international appetite for the film., Ryan said..
The producer and directors have been doing roadshow screenings, taking the film around the country.
.The conventional wisdom is that younger Australians aren't interested in seeing local films on the big screen, but our experience with these event screenings would suggest otherwise", Colin Cairnes said..
"It has been heartening to see a predominantly young audience come to these events and clearly get a kick out of the film's many twists and turns...
The film, directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes (100 Bloody Acres) and produced by Julie Ryan (Red Dog), has sold to the UK, Latin America, the Middle East, Turkey, Greece and Indonesia..
.We are thrilled that the fantastic traction Scare Campaign has gained through positive media reviews, sold out screenings and social media, has translated into an international appetite for the film., Ryan said..
The producer and directors have been doing roadshow screenings, taking the film around the country.
.The conventional wisdom is that younger Australians aren't interested in seeing local films on the big screen, but our experience with these event screenings would suggest otherwise", Colin Cairnes said..
"It has been heartening to see a predominantly young audience come to these events and clearly get a kick out of the film's many twists and turns...
- 3/31/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Ahead of Scare Campaign's Australian limited theatrical release later this month, we have a trailer for the film to tide you over.
Press Release: February 3rd, 2016 – The full trailer has been released for Scare Campaign, the upcoming horror feature film from writers and directors Colin and Cameron Cairnes (100 Bloody Acres) and producer Julie Ryan (Red Dog), to coincide with the news that the film will be officially released in late March through an innovative event-style cinema release.
Scare Campaign, which recently scooped the awards at Melbourne’s Monster Fest, including ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best Direction’, will initially host themed preview screenings in February and March. These include anti-Valentines showings at Dendy Newtown and Dendy Canberra, and then a special screening at Beechworth Lunatic Asylum, the abandoned facility that provided the ominous backdrop for the film. Following this, Scare Campaign will kick off a series of event screenings around Australia...
Press Release: February 3rd, 2016 – The full trailer has been released for Scare Campaign, the upcoming horror feature film from writers and directors Colin and Cameron Cairnes (100 Bloody Acres) and producer Julie Ryan (Red Dog), to coincide with the news that the film will be officially released in late March through an innovative event-style cinema release.
Scare Campaign, which recently scooped the awards at Melbourne’s Monster Fest, including ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best Direction’, will initially host themed preview screenings in February and March. These include anti-Valentines showings at Dendy Newtown and Dendy Canberra, and then a special screening at Beechworth Lunatic Asylum, the abandoned facility that provided the ominous backdrop for the film. Following this, Scare Campaign will kick off a series of event screenings around Australia...
- 2/3/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Six-part web series Footballer Wants A Wife is set to launch on September 8.
Brooke Satchwell, Ben Nicholas and Cassandra Magrath form the cast of series which parodies reality TV dating shows.
The series was funded through Screen Australia.s Multiplatform Drama program and follows three young footballers as they embark on their modern-day journey to find true love.
The series had been in development since 2012 until Ben Nicholas took the concept to Jonathan Dutton, and Julian V. Costanzo from Crankyfish, a production company specialising in TVCs and story-led digital content..
Nicholas said he didn't feel like there were any roles he was auditioning for that were fun and in line with the type of work he wanted to be doing as an actor.
"I also really wanted to write my own show," he said..
"So while I was waiting tables, I came up with the idea of Footballer Wants A Wife.
Brooke Satchwell, Ben Nicholas and Cassandra Magrath form the cast of series which parodies reality TV dating shows.
The series was funded through Screen Australia.s Multiplatform Drama program and follows three young footballers as they embark on their modern-day journey to find true love.
The series had been in development since 2012 until Ben Nicholas took the concept to Jonathan Dutton, and Julian V. Costanzo from Crankyfish, a production company specialising in TVCs and story-led digital content..
Nicholas said he didn't feel like there were any roles he was auditioning for that were fun and in line with the type of work he wanted to be doing as an actor.
"I also really wanted to write my own show," he said..
"So while I was waiting tables, I came up with the idea of Footballer Wants A Wife.
- 8/16/2015
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
We're back with another horror/sci-fi round-up. Guest stars have been revealed for the season 9 premiere of Doctor Who, Titan Comics has a massive Doctor Who comic book crossover lined up, HBO's upcoming New World drama pilot that's likely based on the Salem Witch Trials has enlisted a notable director for its pilot, a new horror film from the duo behind 100 Bloody Acres has is entering production, and Fox has put in a pilot order for a series based on Neil Gaiman's Lucifer from The Sandman comic book series.
Doctor Who Season 9: Via BBC America, TVLine reports that Michelle Gomez will be back on-screen as The Master, aka "Missy", in the two-part season 9 premiere of Doctor Who, which does not yet have a release date. Jemma Redgrave, Kelly Hunter, and Clare Higgins will also reprise their roles as Kate, the Shadow Architect, and Ohila, respectively, in the season 9 premiere,...
Doctor Who Season 9: Via BBC America, TVLine reports that Michelle Gomez will be back on-screen as The Master, aka "Missy", in the two-part season 9 premiere of Doctor Who, which does not yet have a release date. Jemma Redgrave, Kelly Hunter, and Clare Higgins will also reprise their roles as Kate, the Shadow Architect, and Ohila, respectively, in the season 9 premiere,...
- 2/20/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The creators of 100 Bloody Acres are at it again, as production begins on their new horror feature Scare Campaign.
Colin and Cameron Cairnes, along with producer Julie Ryan (Red Dog), have announced the key members of cast.
Meegan Warner (Turn, The Veil), Olivia DeJonge (Hiding, The Visit), and Ian Meadows (The Moodys, The Pacific) have all been confirmed as leading roles in the feature, which starts shooting this week at Beechworth Lunatic Asylum in Victoria, Australia.
Supporting roles have gone to Sigrid Thornton (Sea Change), Cassandra McGrath (Wolf Creek), and John Brumpton (The Loved Ones). .We have assembled a formidable cast,. says director Colin Cairnes, .including the cream of Australia's next wave of acting talent, along with some Aussie acting royalty..
It is Ryan.s second collaboration with the Cairnes brothers after the award-winning 100 Bloody Acres..
.I.m very excited to be making another film with the Cairnes brothers and...
Colin and Cameron Cairnes, along with producer Julie Ryan (Red Dog), have announced the key members of cast.
Meegan Warner (Turn, The Veil), Olivia DeJonge (Hiding, The Visit), and Ian Meadows (The Moodys, The Pacific) have all been confirmed as leading roles in the feature, which starts shooting this week at Beechworth Lunatic Asylum in Victoria, Australia.
Supporting roles have gone to Sigrid Thornton (Sea Change), Cassandra McGrath (Wolf Creek), and John Brumpton (The Loved Ones). .We have assembled a formidable cast,. says director Colin Cairnes, .including the cream of Australia's next wave of acting talent, along with some Aussie acting royalty..
It is Ryan.s second collaboration with the Cairnes brothers after the award-winning 100 Bloody Acres..
.I.m very excited to be making another film with the Cairnes brothers and...
- 2/18/2015
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
Australia short film fest reveals 16 finalists.
Tropfest 2014 (Dec 7) has announced 16 finalists for this year’s festival held in Sydney.
Local actors to appear in films include Steve Vizard, Pia Miranda, Roy Billing and Cassandra Magrath.
The judges will pick the winner live on the Festival Night, with the first prize-winning filmmaker taking home a Toyota, $10,000 cash, a trip to Los Angeles for a week of meetings with film executives (courtesy of Motion Picture Association and the Australian Screen Association), a Nikon D810 and Dslr camera and $2,000 Rrp worth of Nikkor lenses and accessories.
“It’s been twenty three years since Tropfest first began and every year the films entered into the competition remind me of why I started this in the first place - to raise the profile of creative filmmakers and to share stories that, without this platform, might not otherwise be told,” said Tropfest founder and director John Polson.
The festival...
Tropfest 2014 (Dec 7) has announced 16 finalists for this year’s festival held in Sydney.
Local actors to appear in films include Steve Vizard, Pia Miranda, Roy Billing and Cassandra Magrath.
The judges will pick the winner live on the Festival Night, with the first prize-winning filmmaker taking home a Toyota, $10,000 cash, a trip to Los Angeles for a week of meetings with film executives (courtesy of Motion Picture Association and the Australian Screen Association), a Nikon D810 and Dslr camera and $2,000 Rrp worth of Nikkor lenses and accessories.
“It’s been twenty three years since Tropfest first began and every year the films entered into the competition remind me of why I started this in the first place - to raise the profile of creative filmmakers and to share stories that, without this platform, might not otherwise be told,” said Tropfest founder and director John Polson.
The festival...
- 11/12/2014
- ScreenDaily
As the sequel hits cinemas, Luke Buckmaster remembers the first time we met Mick Taylor – the spirit of the outback gone very bad indeed
In the pre-title sequence to writer/director Greg McLean’s 2005 cult hit Wolf Creek, twentysomething partygoers busy themselves with the beach, beer and bikinis; swimming pools and shots. Bags are packed, hangovers nursed, a car is loaded and three principal characters – Sydneysider Ben Mitchell (Nathan Phillips) and British backpackers Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath) and Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi) – begin their trek to the film’s eponymous location.
McLean follows the Hollywood horror playbook, focusing on a small group of good looking city slickers who take to the sticks and are targeted by a sadistic loner who makes them pay, big time, for the liver-busting tomfoolery they enjoyed in the prologue. A large part of the film’s success (it earned more than $30m internationally) is in...
In the pre-title sequence to writer/director Greg McLean’s 2005 cult hit Wolf Creek, twentysomething partygoers busy themselves with the beach, beer and bikinis; swimming pools and shots. Bags are packed, hangovers nursed, a car is loaded and three principal characters – Sydneysider Ben Mitchell (Nathan Phillips) and British backpackers Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath) and Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi) – begin their trek to the film’s eponymous location.
McLean follows the Hollywood horror playbook, focusing on a small group of good looking city slickers who take to the sticks and are targeted by a sadistic loner who makes them pay, big time, for the liver-busting tomfoolery they enjoyed in the prologue. A large part of the film’s success (it earned more than $30m internationally) is in...
- 2/18/2014
- by Luke Buckmaster
- The Guardian - Film News
Madman Entertainment has sent us Richard Gray’s first film, the romantic Summer Coda, set in the orange groves of Mildura.
A woman (Rachel Taylor) who grew up with her mother in Nevada returns to her hometown, seeking closure with the memory of her estranged father. An orange picker (Alex Dimitriades) offers her a ride, and an unexpected connection soon blossoms.
It also stars Jacki Weaver, Susie Porter, Angus Sampson, Nathan Phillips and Cassandra Magrath.
To win, email encore@focalattractions.com.au and tell us, what’s your favourite Australian romance film?...
A woman (Rachel Taylor) who grew up with her mother in Nevada returns to her hometown, seeking closure with the memory of her estranged father. An orange picker (Alex Dimitriades) offers her a ride, and an unexpected connection soon blossoms.
It also stars Jacki Weaver, Susie Porter, Angus Sampson, Nathan Phillips and Cassandra Magrath.
To win, email encore@focalattractions.com.au and tell us, what’s your favourite Australian romance film?...
- 4/12/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Sharmill Films and Jump Street Films invite you to the orange groves of Mildura, as seen by director Richard Gray in his first feature, the romantic drama Summer Coda.
Hitchhiking home to a family she’s never known, Heidi (Rachael Taylor) meets Michael (Alex Dimitriades). In the orange groves and river country of Mildura, they embark on an unexpected adventure, discovering that their secrets and lives may be better shared.Summer Coda stars Rachael Taylor, Alex Dimitriades, Susie Porter, Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath, Angus Sampson and Jacki Weaver.
It will be released on October 21.
To win, email miguel@focalattractions.com.au and tell us, what’s the best summer you’ve ever had?...
Hitchhiking home to a family she’s never known, Heidi (Rachael Taylor) meets Michael (Alex Dimitriades). In the orange groves and river country of Mildura, they embark on an unexpected adventure, discovering that their secrets and lives may be better shared.Summer Coda stars Rachael Taylor, Alex Dimitriades, Susie Porter, Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath, Angus Sampson and Jacki Weaver.
It will be released on October 21.
To win, email miguel@focalattractions.com.au and tell us, what’s the best summer you’ve ever had?...
- 10/18/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Richard Gray’s romantic Summer Coda will premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival and has become the first session to be sold out.
The film, which stars Rachael Taylor, Alex Dimitriades, Susie Porter, Jacki Weaver, Nathan Philliips, Angus Sampson and Cassandra Magrath, will be released on October 21.
Summer Coda was financed privately, with post-production support from Film Victoria. It will be distributed by by Sharmill Films and Jump Street Films.
The film, which stars Rachael Taylor, Alex Dimitriades, Susie Porter, Jacki Weaver, Nathan Philliips, Angus Sampson and Cassandra Magrath, will be released on October 21.
Summer Coda was financed privately, with post-production support from Film Victoria. It will be distributed by by Sharmill Films and Jump Street Films.
- 7/12/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
With Summer Coda heading the new wave of Australian feature dramas, it looks like we are finally out of the dark, gloomy territory that has characterized local dramas this past decade.
Billed as a romantic drama set in the orchards of the Australian countryside, directed by upbeat young writer/director Richard Gray with a brilliant local cast, Summer Coda is shaping up to be another great entry in the current Aussie film resurgence.
Richard sent us the poster for the film's Australian release, currently set for October 21.
Here is the lowdown...
In the vein of Bertolucci's Stealing Beauty, Richard Gray's Summer Coda is an Australian film with a decidedly unique setting -- the stunning orange groves of sun-baked Mildura against the majestic backdrop of the Murray River. Rachael Taylor (Transformers, Bottle Shock, Cedar Boys) and Alex Dimitriades (Head On, Three Blind Mice) star in the romantic drama, supported by...
Billed as a romantic drama set in the orchards of the Australian countryside, directed by upbeat young writer/director Richard Gray with a brilliant local cast, Summer Coda is shaping up to be another great entry in the current Aussie film resurgence.
Richard sent us the poster for the film's Australian release, currently set for October 21.
Here is the lowdown...
In the vein of Bertolucci's Stealing Beauty, Richard Gray's Summer Coda is an Australian film with a decidedly unique setting -- the stunning orange groves of sun-baked Mildura against the majestic backdrop of the Murray River. Rachael Taylor (Transformers, Bottle Shock, Cedar Boys) and Alex Dimitriades (Head On, Three Blind Mice) star in the romantic drama, supported by...
- 6/17/2010
- Screen Anarchy
- Maxim and Fmh have their top 100s, but here at Ioncinema.com we have more discriminating tastes. This year we’ve upped the list, from 2004’s 10 picks (view here) to a total of 20. Yes that’s right - 20 silver screen vixens that’ve left quite the impression on celluloid and this filmgoer. These señoritas have a je-ne-sais-quoi quality that mixes both acting skills with on-screen vigor. Enjoy this year’s selection! *** 20. Cassandra Magrath She went toe to toe with a maniac from the outback in the surprisingly good horror flick Wolf Creek. What’s next? Nothing confirmed – but most likely a couple of Aussie productions. 19. Emily Mortimer She played the cute hopeless mother in Dear Frankie, voiced the English translation of Howl’s Moving Castle and played the scorned wife in Match Point. What’s next? The Pink Panther, Chaos Theory, Who Killed Norma Barnes?, Barry Munday and Snow Angels.
- 1/1/2006
- IONCINEMA.com
PARK CITY -- Wolf Creek could be the scariest film at Sundance this year--and the bloodiest. An auspicious debut from first time Aussie writer/director Greg McLean, film combines the style of cheesy horror films and the flair of classic thrillers. Picked up by Dimension before the start of the fest, pic should turn into a major genre hit for the distrib, with even some crossover from the film savvy indie crowd.
Based on two unsolved crimes in the Outback, Wolf Creek turns the image of the heroic Bushman like Crocodile Dundee on its ear and creates a staggeringly evil Australian boogie man. It's a story bound to give even the most seasoned thrill seeker nightmares.
Following the model of Alien, the film takes its time with not much happening for the first forty-five minutes. Mclean is careful to build sympathy for his characters before all hell breaks loose. Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath) and Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi) are typical British girls on holiday in Australia looking for a good time. When they meet up with up with Aussie native Ben Mitchell (Nathan Phillips), they set out by car to explore the remote meteor sites at Wolf Creek. Along the way, we get to see them as flawed, vulnerable kids, so that when they get in trouble we care about them.
Mclean is constantly confounding expectations and violating rules for the well-written screenplay. Initially film seems to be heading in the direction of UFO's since the region is famous for sightings, then Ben gives the girls the chills around the campfire with eyewitness accounts of flying saucers.
But when their car conks out in the middle of nowhere and their watches stop working at the same moment (a major plot point for which there is no explanation), help arrives in the form of backwoods giant Mick Taylor (John Jarratt). Despite some ominous signs, they allow him to tow the car back to his place, an abandoned mining camp, where he starts to work on the repairs. Next thing we know, Liz wakes up bound and gagged in a room that makes a dungeon look appealing. Any doubt about Mick's intentions are gone, and the rest of the film is a sadistic cat and mouse game in which he seeks and destroys his prey in the most vicious and gory fashion. Mclean is purposely pushing things for effect but one wonders what is the line between terror and torture?
Whatever it is, it's stylishly done. Mclean manipulates nature so that it starts out as a positive force and then cloud formations and even flies buzzing gradually take on an ominous tone, heightened by Francois Tetaz's creepy score. Shot with great panache by Jason Ballantine on HD, color grading and blow up make the film look more like Halloween than the overly polished recent remake of Dawn of the Dead.
But the real attraction here is Mick, who is sure to enter the annals of great slasher film villains. With his icy stare, scratchy beard and cackling laugh, this a monster without an ounce of human compassion, and judging by the collection of crucified bodies on his walls, he's made quite a career of duping unsuspecting tourists. Whatever social commentary Mclean throws in about the nature of pure evil and the need to track down these people, the real reason for Wolf Creek to exist is the fun of scaring the hell out of people. Mission accomplished.
WOLF CREEK
Dimension Films
The True Crime Channel
Credits:
Director: Greg Mclean
Writer: Mclean
Producers: Mclean, David Lightfoot
Executive producer: Gary Hamilton, Simon Hewitt, Martin Fabinyi, George Adams, Michael Gudinski
Director of photography: Will Gibson
Production designer: Robert Webb
Music: Francois Tetaz
Co-producer: Matt Hearn
Costume designer: Nicola Dunn
Editor: Jason Ballantine.
Cast:
Mick Taylor: John Jarratt
Ben Mitchell: Nathan Phillips
Liz Hunter: Cassandra Magrath
Kristy Earl: Kestie Morassi
Old Man: Gordon Poole
No
MPAA rating
Running time -- 98 minutes...
Based on two unsolved crimes in the Outback, Wolf Creek turns the image of the heroic Bushman like Crocodile Dundee on its ear and creates a staggeringly evil Australian boogie man. It's a story bound to give even the most seasoned thrill seeker nightmares.
Following the model of Alien, the film takes its time with not much happening for the first forty-five minutes. Mclean is careful to build sympathy for his characters before all hell breaks loose. Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath) and Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi) are typical British girls on holiday in Australia looking for a good time. When they meet up with up with Aussie native Ben Mitchell (Nathan Phillips), they set out by car to explore the remote meteor sites at Wolf Creek. Along the way, we get to see them as flawed, vulnerable kids, so that when they get in trouble we care about them.
Mclean is constantly confounding expectations and violating rules for the well-written screenplay. Initially film seems to be heading in the direction of UFO's since the region is famous for sightings, then Ben gives the girls the chills around the campfire with eyewitness accounts of flying saucers.
But when their car conks out in the middle of nowhere and their watches stop working at the same moment (a major plot point for which there is no explanation), help arrives in the form of backwoods giant Mick Taylor (John Jarratt). Despite some ominous signs, they allow him to tow the car back to his place, an abandoned mining camp, where he starts to work on the repairs. Next thing we know, Liz wakes up bound and gagged in a room that makes a dungeon look appealing. Any doubt about Mick's intentions are gone, and the rest of the film is a sadistic cat and mouse game in which he seeks and destroys his prey in the most vicious and gory fashion. Mclean is purposely pushing things for effect but one wonders what is the line between terror and torture?
Whatever it is, it's stylishly done. Mclean manipulates nature so that it starts out as a positive force and then cloud formations and even flies buzzing gradually take on an ominous tone, heightened by Francois Tetaz's creepy score. Shot with great panache by Jason Ballantine on HD, color grading and blow up make the film look more like Halloween than the overly polished recent remake of Dawn of the Dead.
But the real attraction here is Mick, who is sure to enter the annals of great slasher film villains. With his icy stare, scratchy beard and cackling laugh, this a monster without an ounce of human compassion, and judging by the collection of crucified bodies on his walls, he's made quite a career of duping unsuspecting tourists. Whatever social commentary Mclean throws in about the nature of pure evil and the need to track down these people, the real reason for Wolf Creek to exist is the fun of scaring the hell out of people. Mission accomplished.
WOLF CREEK
Dimension Films
The True Crime Channel
Credits:
Director: Greg Mclean
Writer: Mclean
Producers: Mclean, David Lightfoot
Executive producer: Gary Hamilton, Simon Hewitt, Martin Fabinyi, George Adams, Michael Gudinski
Director of photography: Will Gibson
Production designer: Robert Webb
Music: Francois Tetaz
Co-producer: Matt Hearn
Costume designer: Nicola Dunn
Editor: Jason Ballantine.
Cast:
Mick Taylor: John Jarratt
Ben Mitchell: Nathan Phillips
Liz Hunter: Cassandra Magrath
Kristy Earl: Kestie Morassi
Old Man: Gordon Poole
No
MPAA rating
Running time -- 98 minutes...
- 1/27/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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