‘Adapt to survive’ is a fitting mantra for the latest tense drama from The Assistant writer-director Kitty Green. This time, she places the star of her #MeToo-styled 2019 film, actor Julia Garner, in the heart of the Australian Outback to serve drinks to booze-addled patrons of a dysfunctional pub.
Inspired by fascinating 2016 documentary Hotel Coolgardie, The Royal Hotel takes a compelling look at ingrained toxic masculinity and the dominance of alcohol culture, as well as sobering isolation through the eyes of two backpacking female foreigners. An uneasy, maddening decline into the inevitable, Green’s film explores the effects of the unhealthy environment on two independent young women and the choices they must make for their well-being.
‘Gen Z’ Americans Hanna (Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick of Glass Onion fame) reluctantly take live-in bartending jobs fund the rest of their Australian trip after finances run out. Dropped off at the rundown Royal...
Inspired by fascinating 2016 documentary Hotel Coolgardie, The Royal Hotel takes a compelling look at ingrained toxic masculinity and the dominance of alcohol culture, as well as sobering isolation through the eyes of two backpacking female foreigners. An uneasy, maddening decline into the inevitable, Green’s film explores the effects of the unhealthy environment on two independent young women and the choices they must make for their well-being.
‘Gen Z’ Americans Hanna (Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick of Glass Onion fame) reluctantly take live-in bartending jobs fund the rest of their Australian trip after finances run out. Dropped off at the rundown Royal...
- 10/17/2023
- by Lisa Giles-Keddie
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
After running out of money on their holiday to Australia, Hanna (Julia Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick) look for work to keep things alive. There's not much available, but then they spot something. "Physically, it's not a demanding job. The only thing that can be a little bothersome is the remoteness of the location," the traveling holiday agent tells them, before adding: "You're gonna have to be comfortable with a little male attention." Judging by their reactions, neither of them is particularly thrilled about the idea, but with no cash left, what choice do they have?
Hanna and Liv are driven to a highly remote dive bar called The Royal Hotel run by Billy (an excellent Hugo Weaving), an alcoholic with a short fuse, and Carol (Ursula Yovich), his long-suffering partner trying to hold things together. The red flags pile up almost immediately -- their employers have no interest in their travel documents,...
Hanna and Liv are driven to a highly remote dive bar called The Royal Hotel run by Billy (an excellent Hugo Weaving), an alcoholic with a short fuse, and Carol (Ursula Yovich), his long-suffering partner trying to hold things together. The red flags pile up almost immediately -- their employers have no interest in their travel documents,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Barry Levitt
- Slash Film
“The Royal Hotel,” the setting of Kitty Green’s ulcer-inducing thriller, is a sun-baked bar in a rural Australian mining town surrounded by terrain so monotone that Canadian backpackers Hanna (Julia Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick) can’t keep their eyes open on the way in. The two young women arrive at their barmaid jobs with a sense of palpable disorientation. They’ve quite literally woken up in Oz, and they don’t know the people, the customs, the nicknames for the local ales, or the way out.
The customers are, as you might expect, gruff and girl-starved. (The chalkboard sign heralding their first shift reads: “Fresh meat.”) Hanna and Liv are steeled for that. They’re not idiots, even if their knowledge of Australia is pretty much limited to Fosters beer and kangaroos. Still, Green, a keen and steely talent, puts them — and us — through hell.
The worst part?...
The customers are, as you might expect, gruff and girl-starved. (The chalkboard sign heralding their first shift reads: “Fresh meat.”) Hanna and Liv are steeled for that. They’re not idiots, even if their knowledge of Australia is pretty much limited to Fosters beer and kangaroos. Still, Green, a keen and steely talent, puts them — and us — through hell.
The worst part?...
- 9/16/2023
- by Amy Nicholson
- Variety Film + TV
In 2019, Australian documentary filmmaker Kitty Green made her first narrative movie, a piercing almost cinéma vérité-style movie focused on an office assistant in a Tribeca film company run by a not-so-thinly disguised Harvey Weinstein. The male culture there and the sexual acts of the boss made it almost a modern horror story at the height of the #MeToo movement. For Green’s second narrative film she has changed up the filmmaking style considerably, but with The Royal Hotel which premiered last week at Telluride and now premieres tonight at the Toronto Film Festival, she is taking an even deeper look at the dark side of men as seen through the female gaze in a broken down hotel bar in a desolate part of the Australian Outback.
Based on Pete Gleeson’s 2017 documentary about two Scandinavian girls stuck at the Hotel Coolgardie, the actual set-up here would make it ideal for a horror movie,...
Based on Pete Gleeson’s 2017 documentary about two Scandinavian girls stuck at the Hotel Coolgardie, the actual set-up here would make it ideal for a horror movie,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
For the first minute of The Royal Hotel trailer everything seems fine. But then the tone suddenly shifts, and everything about the environment Julia Garner and Jessica Henwick’s characters find themselves in turns menacing.
Julia Garner (Ozark) stars as Hanna, Jessica Henwick (Glass Onion) is Liv, Toby Wallace (The Society) plays Matty, and Hugo Weaving (the Lord of the Rings films) is Billy. The cast also includes Ursula Yovich as Carol, Daniel Henshall as Dolly, James Frecheville as Teeth, and Herbert Nordrum as Torsten.
The Royal Hotel writer/director Kitty Green made her feature film directorial debut with 2019’s critically acclaimed The Assistant, which also starred Julia Garner. Oscar Redding co-wrote the screenplay, Michael Latham is the director of photography, Leah Popple is the production designer, Mariot Kerr is the costume designer, and Kasra Rassoulzadegan is the editor.
Neon offered this description of the thriller:
“Americans Hanna and Liv...
Julia Garner (Ozark) stars as Hanna, Jessica Henwick (Glass Onion) is Liv, Toby Wallace (The Society) plays Matty, and Hugo Weaving (the Lord of the Rings films) is Billy. The cast also includes Ursula Yovich as Carol, Daniel Henshall as Dolly, James Frecheville as Teeth, and Herbert Nordrum as Torsten.
The Royal Hotel writer/director Kitty Green made her feature film directorial debut with 2019’s critically acclaimed The Assistant, which also starred Julia Garner. Oscar Redding co-wrote the screenplay, Michael Latham is the director of photography, Leah Popple is the production designer, Mariot Kerr is the costume designer, and Kasra Rassoulzadegan is the editor.
Neon offered this description of the thriller:
“Americans Hanna and Liv...
- 9/7/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
In Kitty Green’s brilliant narrative feature debut “The Assistant,” it would have been appropriate for the film’s mostly silent and tormented junior associate (Julia Garner) to pick up an axe or burn down the whole damn place in response to the emotional torture she’d been subjected to in an unglamorous yet high-profile film production office.
Structured with metronomic perfection, “The Assistant” wasn’t that thriller, however—instead, it was a quietly harrowing one that kept you screaming on the inside. “The Royal Hotel,” on the other hand, is that thriller where Green flexes her genre muscles impeccably.
Also starring a flawless Julia Garner—this time, alongside an equally terrific Jessica Henwick—Green’s sophomore narrative is once again focused on the distresses and perils of being a young woman in the world, polluted by the dangerous gaze and entitlement of men. It’s a wild ride start to finish,...
Structured with metronomic perfection, “The Assistant” wasn’t that thriller, however—instead, it was a quietly harrowing one that kept you screaming on the inside. “The Royal Hotel,” on the other hand, is that thriller where Green flexes her genre muscles impeccably.
Also starring a flawless Julia Garner—this time, alongside an equally terrific Jessica Henwick—Green’s sophomore narrative is once again focused on the distresses and perils of being a young woman in the world, polluted by the dangerous gaze and entitlement of men. It’s a wild ride start to finish,...
- 9/4/2023
- by Tomris Laffly
- The Wrap
Four years after director Kitty Green and actor Julia Garner channeled whispers and silence into the stuff of workplace horror in The Assistant, they reunite for a movie that turns up the volume and ratchets up the fear and loathing. Way up.
Instead of the careerist corridors of Manhattan, the setting is a mining town in Australia — specifically, a hotel bar frequented by hard-drinking men. Garner, again, is extraordinary, and the chemistry between her and an equally superb Jessica Henwick, as best friends whose backpacking adventure takes a detour into a kind of hell, doesn’t hit a false note. Yet despite the flawless performances and outstanding craftsmanship, The Royal Hotel is a pummeling experience rather than a revelatory one.
For her second narrative feature, and her first film set and filmed in her native Australia, Green was inspired by the 2016 documentary Hotel Coolgardie, in which Pete Gleeson chronicles the...
Instead of the careerist corridors of Manhattan, the setting is a mining town in Australia — specifically, a hotel bar frequented by hard-drinking men. Garner, again, is extraordinary, and the chemistry between her and an equally superb Jessica Henwick, as best friends whose backpacking adventure takes a detour into a kind of hell, doesn’t hit a false note. Yet despite the flawless performances and outstanding craftsmanship, The Royal Hotel is a pummeling experience rather than a revelatory one.
For her second narrative feature, and her first film set and filmed in her native Australia, Green was inspired by the 2016 documentary Hotel Coolgardie, in which Pete Gleeson chronicles the...
- 9/3/2023
- by Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There's not much left to say about the 1996 murder of JonBenét Ramsey – but that hasn't stopped people from talking about it. Though the brutal, unsolved murder of the six-year-old pageant queen has been a cultural fixation for more than 20 years, the anniversary last December saw a surge of books, movies, and TV series rehashing theories about who was behind one ofthe most disturbing crimes of the 1990s.
While most of last year's Ramsey-centric media offerings seemed like little more than hot takes looking for new ways to capitalize on the tragedy,...
While most of last year's Ramsey-centric media offerings seemed like little more than hot takes looking for new ways to capitalize on the tragedy,...
- 4/27/2017
- Rollingstone.com
Double win marks the first time two films have shared Australia’s top film prize.Scroll down for full list of winners
Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner and Jennifer Kent thriller The Babadook have both won the Aacta (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Award for best film, marking the first time that two titles have shared the country’s top film prize.
The event in Sydney, hosted this year by actresses Cate Blanchett and Deborah Mailman, is only the 4th annual Aacta Awards but they were the result of an overhaul of the AFI (Australian Film Institute) Awards, which were established in 1969.
The two winning films could not be more different from each other. Kent’s meticulously crafted low-budget claustrophobic thriller, The Babadook, is about a single mother who battles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in the house.
Gladiator star Crowe’s directorial debut, The Water Diviner, is about...
Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner and Jennifer Kent thriller The Babadook have both won the Aacta (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Award for best film, marking the first time that two titles have shared the country’s top film prize.
The event in Sydney, hosted this year by actresses Cate Blanchett and Deborah Mailman, is only the 4th annual Aacta Awards but they were the result of an overhaul of the AFI (Australian Film Institute) Awards, which were established in 1969.
The two winning films could not be more different from each other. Kent’s meticulously crafted low-budget claustrophobic thriller, The Babadook, is about a single mother who battles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in the house.
Gladiator star Crowe’s directorial debut, The Water Diviner, is about...
- 1/29/2015
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
Kitty Green.s The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiu has won the jury award for best non-fiction short at the Sundance Film Festival.
Green.s film follows girls from across divided, war-torn Ukraine as they audition to play the role of Olympic champion figure skater Oksana Baiul.
Oksana was world champion in 1993 when she was 16 and the following year won the ladies. single title at the Winter Olympics - the only skater to ever win gold at that event representing Ukraine.
The seven-minute short was produced by Green, Philippa Campey and Michael Latham, with cinematography by Latham.
Green directed Ukraine is not a Brothel, the feature documentary on the country.s topless feminist movement Femen, which caused a stir at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival as it revealed the group was founded by a man, Victor Svyatski, who left the collective a year earlier.
Some 60 shorts from around the world,...
Green.s film follows girls from across divided, war-torn Ukraine as they audition to play the role of Olympic champion figure skater Oksana Baiul.
Oksana was world champion in 1993 when she was 16 and the following year won the ladies. single title at the Winter Olympics - the only skater to ever win gold at that event representing Ukraine.
The seven-minute short was produced by Green, Philippa Campey and Michael Latham, with cinematography by Latham.
Green directed Ukraine is not a Brothel, the feature documentary on the country.s topless feminist movement Femen, which caused a stir at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival as it revealed the group was founded by a man, Victor Svyatski, who left the collective a year earlier.
Some 60 shorts from around the world,...
- 1/28/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The first round of Aacta Award winners have been announced today at the 4th Aacta Award Luncheon held at the Star Event Centre in Sydney.
Celebrating screen craft excellence in Australia, 22 awards were presented, recognising the work of screen practitioners working in television, documentary, short fiction film, short animation and feature film.
The Luncheon was hosted by writer/actor/producer/director Adam Zwar, who was also joined throughout the event by a list of distinguished presenters. including Aacta President Geoffrey Rush, David Stratton, Damian Walshe-Howling, Alexandra Schepisi, Charlotte Best and Diana Glenn.
In the feature film category, Predestination took home the most Awards; with Ben Nott Acs taking out the prize for Best Cinematography, Matt Villa Ase winning the award for Best Editing, and Matthew Putland scooping Best Production Design.
Tess Schofield was honoured with the Aacta Award for Best Costume Design for her work on The Water Diviner while...
Celebrating screen craft excellence in Australia, 22 awards were presented, recognising the work of screen practitioners working in television, documentary, short fiction film, short animation and feature film.
The Luncheon was hosted by writer/actor/producer/director Adam Zwar, who was also joined throughout the event by a list of distinguished presenters. including Aacta President Geoffrey Rush, David Stratton, Damian Walshe-Howling, Alexandra Schepisi, Charlotte Best and Diana Glenn.
In the feature film category, Predestination took home the most Awards; with Ben Nott Acs taking out the prize for Best Cinematography, Matt Villa Ase winning the award for Best Editing, and Matthew Putland scooping Best Production Design.
Tess Schofield was honoured with the Aacta Award for Best Costume Design for her work on The Water Diviner while...
- 1/27/2015
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
A total of six Australian projects have been invited to screen at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival next year.
The South Australian project Sam Klemke's Time Machine will have its world premiere in the New Frontier Film section while Oscar Raby.s Assent will screen in the New Frontier Installations section.
In the Sundance Shorts Competition, Kitty Green.s The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiul will have its world premiere as well as Tim Marshall.s Followers.
This adds to the previously announced screenings of Kim Kim Farrant.s Strangerland, starring Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes and Hugo Weaving, and Ariel Kleiman.s Partisan, starring Vincent Cassel, which will screen in competition in the World Cinema Dramatic program.
In a statement released to the media, CEO of Screen Australia, Graeme Mason, said, .It is a great honour to have six of our skilful filmmakers recognised by the leading indie film festival in the world.
The South Australian project Sam Klemke's Time Machine will have its world premiere in the New Frontier Film section while Oscar Raby.s Assent will screen in the New Frontier Installations section.
In the Sundance Shorts Competition, Kitty Green.s The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiul will have its world premiere as well as Tim Marshall.s Followers.
This adds to the previously announced screenings of Kim Kim Farrant.s Strangerland, starring Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes and Hugo Weaving, and Ariel Kleiman.s Partisan, starring Vincent Cassel, which will screen in competition in the World Cinema Dramatic program.
In a statement released to the media, CEO of Screen Australia, Graeme Mason, said, .It is a great honour to have six of our skilful filmmakers recognised by the leading indie film festival in the world.
- 12/12/2014
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
Russell Crowe-Directed Movie Up for Australian Film Award; Crowe Shortlisted Only in Acting Category
Director Russell Crowe Movie up for Best Film: Australian Academy Awards 2015 nominations (photo: Actor-director Russell Crowe in 'The Water Diviner') Aacta Awards: Feature Film Categories Best Film The Babadook Kristina Ceyton and Kristian Moliere Charlie's Country Nils Erik Nielsen, Peter Djigirr and Rolf de Heer Predestination Paddy McDonald, Tim McGahan, Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Railway Man Chris Brown, Andy Paterson and Bill Curbishley Tracks Emile Sherman and Iain Canning The Water Diviner Andrew Mason, Keith Rodger and Troy Lum Best Director The Babadook Jennifer Kent Charlie's Country Rolf de Heer Predestination Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Rover David Michôd Best Actress Kate Box The Little Death Essie Davis The Babadook Sarah Snook Predestination Mia Wasikowska Tracks Best Actor Russell Crowe The Water Diviner David Gulpilil Charlie's Country Damon Herriman The Little Death Guy Pearce The Rover Best Supporting Actor Patrick Brammall The Little Death Yilmaz Erdogan...
- 12/3/2014
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
All This Mayhem, Deepsea Challenge 3D, The Last Impresario and Ukraine Is Not A Brothel will compete for the feature length documentary prize at the 4th Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) awards.
In collaboration with the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (Agsc) , a new award for best original music score in a documentary will be presented in January. Previously composition was judged together with sound for best sound in a documentary.
All This Mayhem profiles former champion pro skaters, brothers Tas and Ben Pappas, whose lives spiralled into a world of drugs, jail, murder, depression and death.
Directed by Eddie Martin and produced by James Gay-Rees and George Pank, the doc had its world premiere at the 2013 Adelaide Film Festival and screened in competition at this year.s Sydney Film Festival and at the Sheffield Doc/Fest in June.
Deepsea Challenge 3D follows James Cameron.s record-setting...
In collaboration with the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (Agsc) , a new award for best original music score in a documentary will be presented in January. Previously composition was judged together with sound for best sound in a documentary.
All This Mayhem profiles former champion pro skaters, brothers Tas and Ben Pappas, whose lives spiralled into a world of drugs, jail, murder, depression and death.
Directed by Eddie Martin and produced by James Gay-Rees and George Pank, the doc had its world premiere at the 2013 Adelaide Film Festival and screened in competition at this year.s Sydney Film Festival and at the Sheffield Doc/Fest in June.
Deepsea Challenge 3D follows James Cameron.s record-setting...
- 9/9/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A comic social drama about the Internet Generation, Owned took home both the best film award and the audience award, whilst the surreal Boxer directed by Michael Latham took out the Best Editing Award, at the Australia-Japan Student Film Forum held on Monday, November 30 at the Event Cinemas in Sydney's George Street. Part of the annual Japanese Film Festival, the Australia-Japan Student Film Forum (Ajsff) is a cross-cultural event that brings together emerging filmmakers from Japan and Australia to share their visions through short film. Each year films are judged by industry professionals and the director of the winning film is invited to Japan to participate in the Kawasaki ShinYuri Film Festival, with paid accommodation and a return airfare.
- 12/2/2009
- FilmInk.com.au
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