Australian Film Showcase 2015
Inaugural Edition- Chennai, June 12-21
The Australian Consulate-General, Chennai is organising the inaugural edition of the ‘Australian Film Showcase’ in Chennai in June 2015. The Showcase will feature 11 Australian films including several recent releases and some earlier films of Australian actors such as Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett and others who have enjoyed immense success in Hollywood. The 11 films will be screened at Escape Cinemas between 13 and 21 June. Entry to the screenings is free and passes will be available at Escape Cinemas prior to each screening on a first come first serve basis. The Australian Film Showcase in Chennai has been made possible thanks to the support of our sponsors SAE Institute and Tourism Australia.
Future editions of the Australian Film Showcase in South India are planned for Hyderabad and Bangalore and will also incorporate an Australia- South India film industry forum for developing links between Australian and South Indian film industries.
For further information about the films from the Showcase and the detailed screening schedule in Chennai please click here.
Passes for the film festival on a limited first come first served basis from Wednesday 10 June at Escape Cinemas. A limited number of passes will also be available at Escape on the day of the screening on a first come first served basis.
List of films featured in the Australian Film Showcase*
(Click on film title for more details)
*Films and screening times are subject to change at short notice.
1. Mad Max (1979) featuring Mel Gibson
2. My Brilliant Career (1979) featuring Sam Neill and Judy Davis
3. Thank God He Met Lizzie (1997) featuring Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh
4. Paperback Hero (1999) featuring Hugh Jackman
5. The Bank (2001) featuring David Wenham and Anthony LaPaglia
6. Black & White (2002) featuring Robert Carlyle
7. Dirty Deeds (2002) featuring Bryan Brown and Toni Collette
8. Bran Nue Dae (2009) featuring Geoffrey Rush and Jessica Mauboy
9. Red Dog (2011) featuring Rachael Taylor
10. The Sapphires (2012) featuring Jessica Mauboy
11. Swerve (2012) featuring Jason Clarke and Emma Booth
Mad Max (1979) directed by George Miller, starring Mel Gibson
In a not-too-distant dystopian future, when man's most precious resource - oil - has been depleted and the world plunged into war, famine and financial chaos, the last vestiges of the law in Australia attempt to restrain a vicious biker gang. Max (Mel Gibson), an officer with the Main Force Patrol, launches a personal vendetta against the gang when his wife (Joanne Samuel) and son are hunted down and murdered, leaving him with nothing but the instincts for survival and retribution. (Synopsis from IMDB)
Running Time: 95 minutes
Screening Times:
Saturday 13 June, 10.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Friday 19 June, 10.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Saturday 20 June, 4.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
My Brilliant Career (1979) directed by Gillian Armstrong, starring Sam Neill and Judy Davis
Growing up in the Australian outback, creative and headstrong Sybylla Melvyn (Judy Davis) dreams of becoming a famous writer despite long odds and the objections of her family. Forced by money problems to move in with her rich grandmother (Aileen Britton), she soon makes the acquaintance of a handsome landowner, Harry (Sam Neill), and wins him over despite their class differences. When Harry proposes, Sybylla must choose between romantic love and the brilliant career she craves. (Synopsis from zap2it.com)
Running Time: 100 minutes
Screening Times
Saturday 20 June, 1.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Thank God He Met Lizzie (1997) directed by Cherie Nowlan, starring Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh
Guy (Richard Roxburgh) is looking for the ‘perfect’ woman without success, until he meets Lizzie (Cate Blanchett). The two fall in love and prepare to marry, planning an expensive family wedding. But on his wedding day, Guy is plagued by memories of his old girlfriend Jenny (Frances O’Connor), with whom he lived throughout his twenties. Jenny and Lizzie are totally different; Jenny is spontaneous and exuberant from a working class family, Lizzie is a stylish pragmatist, from a privileged background. The sentimental tunes and intensity of the wedding bring to Guy’s mind not his future, but memories of his past. And he realises that his beautiful new wife is virtually a complete stranger. (Synopsis from urbancinefile.com.au)
Running Time: 91 minutes
Screening Times
Monday 15 June, 4.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Paperback Hero (1999) directed by Antony J Bowman, starring Hugh Jackman
Country truck driver Jack Willis (Hugh Jackman) has written a romance novel. Fearing ridicule from his mates, Jack uses a pen-name, that of his long-time friend Ruby Vale (Claudia Karvan), a local crop-dusting pilot and café owner (inherited both from her dad.) Trouble brews for Jack when he lands a book deal with a publisher who sends out a vivacious publicist to convince their new novelist to come to Sydney for the promotion of 'her' new book. Jack asks Ruby to take his place, as a favour. The publisher’s offer to pay for Ruby's wedding to local vet Hamish (Andrew Gilbert) convinces her that the favour is worthwhile. Jack realises that he can't permit the high-spirited Ruby to run amuck in Sydney in her new role as romance writer, so he decides to escort her as her manager. Their friendly relationship begins to take unexpected turns. (Synopsis from urbancinefile.com.au)
Running Time: 96 minutes
Screening Times
Sunday 14 June, 10.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Friday 19 June, 7.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
The Bank (2001) directed by Robert Connolly, starring David Wenham and Anthony LaPaglia
Clever Jim (David Wenham) grows up with a rare gift for mathematics and computers, a talent that leads him to a unique position at CentaBank, at the right hand of its ruthless CEO, Simon (Anthony LaPaglia). His specially designed software promises to forecast stockmarket trends so accurately that its owner can make a killing in a matter of hours, leaving millions to face financial ruin. While perfecting the programme Jim begins a romance with teller Michelle (Sybilla Budd) but begins to suspect she is a plant acting for the bank. Simon sees Jim’s program as his chance at eternal corporate glory, and sweeps everyone along with him. But there are other factors at work that only Jim knows about. Meanwhile CentaBank is being sued by Wayne (Steve Rogers) and his wife (Mandy Mcelhinney), who have recently lost their son and their business after taking out a high risk foreign currency loan with the bank. (Synopsis from urbancinefile.com.au)
Running Time: 102 minutes
Screening Times
Sunday 14 June, 4.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Tuesday 16 June, 10.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Wednesday 17 June, 7.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Sunday 21 June, 4.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Black & White (2002) directed by Craig Lahiff, starring Robert Carlyle and Charles Dance
Based on real events, Black & White tells the story of Max Stuart (Ngoombujarra), a young aboriginal man who was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of a nine-year-old girl on what was considered questionable evidence. It follows the fight by his lawyers David O'Sullivan ( Robert Carlyle) and Helen Devaney (Kerry Fox) to save Stuart from execution, as well as Crown Prosecutor, Roderic Chamberlain's (Charles Dance) efforts to convict Stuart. Rohan Rivett editor of an Adelaide paper, The News, and its publisher, Rupert Murdoch (Ben Mendelsohn) also feature as leading the public response in the campaign to save Stuart. (Synopsis from wikipedia.org)
Running Time: 102 minutes
Screening Times
Monday 15 June, 7.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Thursday 18 June, 10.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Dirty Deeds (2002) directed by David Caesar, starring Bryan Brown, Sam Neill and Toni Collette
Barry Ryan (Bryan Brown) is a late 1960s Australian mobster who controls the Sydney gambling scene and is making huge profits from casino slot machines. His profitable venture attracts the unwanted attention of the American Mafia, who attempt to secure a piece of the action by sending in two of their henchmen: the pensive, world-weary veteran Tony and his violent, not-too-bright sidekick Sal. Ryan soon finds himself fending off the trigger-happy "yanks", outback-style, while also contending with his feisty wife, needy mistress, and a crooked cop. (Synopsis from wikipedia.org)
Running Time: 110 minutes
Screening Times
Sunday 14 June, 1.00 pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Bran Nue Dae (2009) directed by Rachel Perkins, starring Geoffrey Rush and Jessica Mauboy
In the Summer of 1967, young Willie (Rocky McKenzie) is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port of Broome - fishing, hanging out with his mates and hoping to get a date with the lovely Rosie (Jessica Mauboy). However his mother (Ningali Lawford) returns him to the religious mission in Perth for further schooling on the path to be a priest, she hopes. After being punished for an act of youthful rebellion by Father Benedictus (Geoffrey Rush), he runs away from the mission and heads back to Broome, meeting a hippy couple (Tom Budge, Missy Higgins) and Uncle Tadpole (Ernie Dingo) along the way. Their trip takes them through some adventures with Roadhouse Betty (Magda Szubanski) and Roxanne (Deborah Mailman) before their final pit stop at the local watering hole, where Rosie is singing up a storm - but dating someone else. When Father Benedictus finally catches up with the runaway, all kinds of family secrets tumble out on the splendid nearby beach. (Synopsis from urbancinefile.com.au)
Running Time: 88 minutes
Screening Times
Tuesday 16 June, 4.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Wednesday 17 June, 10.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Red Dog (2011) directed by Kriv Stenders, starring Rachael Taylor and 'Koko' as Red Dog
When Red Dog (Koko) first arrives in the dusty Western Australian mining town of Dampier in 1971, he has no master and jumps into any lap or any car that wants him. But when American floater John (Josh Lucas) comes to town to work as the driver of a workers' bus, Red Dog takes to him. The locals, like publican Jack (Noah Taylor) and hardman Peeto (John Batchelor) love him as does newcomer Nancy (Rachael Taylor) who works in admin. She and John become a couple and Red Dog their much loved pet. So when John fails to come home one day, Red Dog waits for him. Despondent, he finally sets off to track him down on an epic journey around Western Australia.(Synopsis from urbancinefile.com.au)
Running Time: 92 minutes
Screening Times
Wednesday 17 June, 4.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Thursday 18 June, 7.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Sunday 21 June, 1.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
The Sapphires (2012) directed by Wayne Blair, starring Jessica Mauboy, Deborah Mailman and Chris O'Dowd
1968 was the year the planet went haywire. All around the globe, there were riots and revolution in the streets. There was the shock of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy’s assassinations.
And dominating every other news story… There was Vietnam.
For four gorgeous young women from a remote Aboriginal mission, 1968 was the year that changed their lives forever. Sisters Gail, Julie and Cynthia, together with their cousin Kay, are discovered by Dave, a down-on-his-luck Irish musician with attitude, a taste for Irish Whiskey and an ear for Soul Music. Dave steers the girls away from their Country & Western origins then flies them to the war-zones of South Vietnam, where they sing Soul Classics for the American Marines. On tour in the Mekong Delta, the girls sing up a storm, dodge bullets… And fall in love.
Inspired by a true story, THE SAPPHIRES is a triumphant celebration of youth, courage, love, family and Soul Music.
Running Time: 103 minutes
Screening Times
Sunday 14 June, 7.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Friday 19 June, 4.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Swerve (2012) directed by Craig Lahiff, starring Jason Clarke and Emma Booth
Nursing his overheated car along the open road, Colin (David Lyons) sees another sedan swerve hard to avoid an oncoming convertible, driven by Jina (Emma Booth). The sedan overturns, killing the driver. Colin discovers a briefcase full of cash beside the wreck, which he goes to hand in at the next town, Neverest. The town cop, Frank (Jason Clark) locks the case in a cell, and offers to put Frank up for the night so he can get his car fixed by the local mechanic. But when Frank begins to suspect there is more to Colin and his abused wife Jina and is dragged into a web of intrigue – with betrayal and stolen cash as ingredients – he finds himself a reluctant partner in a dangerous scheme. (Synopsis from urbancinefile.com.au)
Running Time: 87 minutes
Screening Times
Monday 15 June, 10.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue
Thursday 18 June, 4.00pm at 'Blush', Escape, Express Avenue