Thoughts on the Film Industry

Wow, long time, no post. A fair bit has happened since December 22, including the fact that I'm writing this from a MacBook Pro, not my Dell notebook. But that's another story, perhaps for another time.

I've just been to the movies to see a great little Australian film - Hey Hey Its Esther Blueberger. I've been looking forward to seeing this film for quite a while now - I do believe it was originally supposed to be released before December Boys, but, like so many Australian films, it was delayed. Starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Toni Collette, Christian Byers (from December Boys) and newcomer Danielle Catanzari, it is the story of a private school girl who doesn't fit. I really enjoyed it. Some of the writing was a touch rocky in places, but then again it was better writing than Emerald Falls, the telemovie that I watched last night that had a great premise, but was horrifically written (and was like nearly every Australian soap written and rolled into one).

It got me thinking on the drive home how that, with the exceptions of Order of the Phoenix and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, that the only movies that I have really enjoyed have been lower budget. I won't say shoestring budget - they all have a little bit of money behind them - but they're not the massive budget feature films that the studios have an obsession with. Juno, December Boys and Esther Blueberger were all far more enjoyable, and looked great on screen. Yes, I liked Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that Dead Man's Chest was so bad, and I dislike how unnatural it felt. It really is sad, these films are so great, but do not get anywhere near the publicity they deserve. For example, the closest cinema to me that showed December Boys was in Cheltenham - half an hour away.

I can't help but wonder too how many other great scripts like these are out there, waiting to be made, but aren't, because the funds have to be redirected to a film like The Golden Compass when it goes over budget. It has me thinking about the sorts of films I want to make - while everyone dreams of wanting to be behind the next Lord of the Rings, I now think I would be prouder to say I had made a film like Juno - a good story, great looking and enjoyable for people of all ages. (Except for the Old Kingdom trilogy - I'm desperate to see them on film and the only way to do them justice would be big budget.) The fact that films like Juno have done so well has me hoping that we shall see more of these good films, more often.

My AFI membership is due for renewal. I had considered not renewing it, seeing as the AFI price at cinemas is generally more than the student concession price. But today has my decision made - I will be rejoining, to show that I love and support good Australian filmmaking. I'm going to try and aim to see as many Australian films as I can as well, so I can help vote for the AFI awards. I'll also try and review as many as can. Here's to more good films for the rest of the year!