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Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats?
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Subject: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Big Mick Date: 02 Jan 09 - 09:48 AM So I went to see this movie, which stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. I must say that I absolutely enjoyed it. The cinemetography by Mr. Baz Luhrmann was stunning. The young man, Brandon Walters, who played the young aboriginal "half caste" in the movie turned in, to say the least, a spectacular performance. Seemed like a good, if predictable, story line, but the part of it that stood out, was the honest treatment of how the Lost Generations were treated. I would love to hear from my friends down under as to how this film is being received in Australia. All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Lizzie Cornish 1 Date: 02 Jan 09 - 03:18 PM I hope you can join in with this if you're English, Mick. ;0) 'Australia' is Bloody Wonderful, mate! :0) Three hours of the most amazingly beautiful camera shots..brilliant acting from the three main actors...a storyline that was really interesting and opened up many new paths for me. I can't recommend this film highly enough. It's a modern epic, in the same vein as 'Gone With The Wind', only better. I should imagine that the Australian tourist industry is about to be flooded with people wanting to explore that incredible place. 'Australia' - The Trailer - on Youtube 'Australia' - Official Website "I sing you" Mick :0) |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Big Mick Date: 02 Jan 09 - 03:47 PM Yes, Lizzie, I would agree with most of what you said, except I would not consider it better than Gone With The Wind. The weakness in "Australia" lies in the predictability of the story line. Having said that, it isn't much of a weakness, and I would rate this among the best of the epic movies ever made. I just wouldn't rate it "better" than GWTW. The dialogue rendered by "Nulla" was absolutely splendid. The glimpses into the aboriginal lifestyle were fascinating, but only (and I write this from the perspective of a Yank) if you were somewhat familiar with terms like "go walkabout", or "dreamtime", as well as Australian Aboriginal culture and customs. The warning in the beginning of the movie about images of dead folks flew right by some in the theater. I got all that because I have always had a fascination with aboriginal cultures and am moderately well read on the subject. I also loved the character of King George and loved the interplay between him and Nulla, as well as the role he played in the overall film.
Among the supporting players, I really got a kick out of the Chinese cook. He didn't have much to say, but his acting in a small role really was wonderful. |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: freda underhill Date: 02 Jan 09 - 05:10 PM thanks for this thread, Mick, and for your comments, Mick & Lizzie. This film has been shredded by critics in London and America. I'm glad you even got yourselves into the theatre after those patronising, stinker reviews. but the New Yorker didn't think FROST?NIXON was that hot either, so what would they know? I loved it, and Indigenous Australians are going more than once. And I laughed at Nicole's character - she was hilarious. freda |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Big Mick Date: 02 Jan 09 - 05:18 PM Thanks, Freda. I never read reviews by pro's, so I was not aware it got shredded. I cannot understand why. Sure it had some flaws, but it was a wonderful film, and I have seen many worse efforts get good reviews. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Dug Date: 02 Jan 09 - 05:26 PM Germaine Greer slammed it, citing its warped, romanticised view of history, particularly in relation to the brutal way indigenous people have been treated. I guess that's put me off. |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Big Mick Date: 02 Jan 09 - 05:32 PM Dug, it didn't appear to romanticize the treatement of the indigenous peoples to me. Am I just being thick? Regards, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: freda underhill Date: 02 Jan 09 - 05:38 PM Is showing aboriginal woman being bashed and raped romanticised? I don't think GG even watched it. Professor Marcia Langton, indigenous, feminist, and brutally frank, praised it. And the kids in Redfern are going to see it again and again. Tell germaine to get back to her gardening gloves. |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 02 Jan 09 - 05:45 PM I'm not a movie watcher. The last time I saw a movie was in the late 70's-early 80's!, apart from a Greens benefit showing of Al Gore's Climate Change movie a few years ago. So here's some Australian comment on 'Australia' AUDIO - Studio discussion on 'Australia' Jason Di Rosso, Ruth Hessey and Daniel Browning, producer-presenter of Radio National's Indigenous arts and culture program Awaye!, discuss the portrayal of race relations within the context of 'post-apology' Australia in Baz Lurhmann's latest film. AUDIO - Review of 'Australia' articles in 'Sydney Morning Herald' Baz Luhrmann to produce Tourism Australia ad - comment Tourism industry hopes for Baz boost sandra Bonus link for Big Mick - Home Page of Awaye! Radio National's Indigenous arts & culture program |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: skarpi Date: 02 Jan 09 - 06:02 PM jí , and I thought you would be in Australia by now ........ ahccc .......... JINGS !!! |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Art Thieme Date: 02 Jan 09 - 06:09 PM I was thoroughly engrossed and held by it--all the way. I e-mauled Stewie in Darwin and asked how accurate it was as history. He said it was some accurate and some over the top. At least that's how I'm choosing to say what he might've said. Truth is, my MS does a number on my recent memory and I just am not sure what he said. Knowing him, he'll look in here. But I'm with Mick and Lizzie on this. As I said, I was willing to go with the flow and beauty of it. Me not knowing the history there, I felt it might be that it is a more real depiction of OZ than was the American western film "Red River" a depiction of western history here. And I like looking at Nicole--even the more mature lady she has become! Art Thieme |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Big Mick Date: 02 Jan 09 - 06:51 PM I do take notice that folks from Oz refer to the native peoples as "indigenous peoples" instead of "aboriginal peoples". Is the latter considered to be unsatisfactory or demeaning? For me, it is the term for any of the original peoples in any land, with special or "large A" use for the Australian folks. I am open to being corrected on this. All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Lizzie Cornish 1 Date: 02 Jan 09 - 07:22 PM Australia's 'Stolen Generation' Britain's 'Stolen Generation' |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Liz the Squeak Date: 03 Jan 09 - 04:46 AM Saw it last night, totally engrossed from start to finish - it even made the two women behind me shut up, and they'd been chattering like monkeys right from the moment they sat down and all throught the adverts and opening credits! I must admit, I went to see it for Hugh Jackman with no clothes on (anyone else get hot and bothered at the 'Mr Universe' pose with the water bucket? No? Just me then....), but was blown away by the sheer magnificence of the scenery and photography. The opening credits made it clear that this was a story about the 'Lost Generations' but that pretty soon seemed to vanish under the thundering love story between Hugh and Nicole's characters (I got so carried away that when she tells him not to come back I yelled 'stupid cow' at the screen... ). This part was as predictable as all getout, you could almost quote the dialogue before it happened and you knew what was going to happen... with the addition of a delightfully nasty-as-hell weasel Fletcher (David Wenham, last seen with Jackman being a timid friar in 'Van Helsing' - what a contrast!) throwing spanners in the works. The only surprise involved in this part of the plot involved a chin. I'm not saying anymore, but it did elicit another audible expression - one I may say that was echoed around the theatre! The other story - that of the mixed race children - is really swamped by this love affair in places, but is closely woven into it. Their plight is not romanticised, but, I suspect, neither is it told fully and truthfully. However, the film does bring it to the attention of a wider audience and the end titles, where it gives the dates of the end of this policy and the official apology (1973 and 2008 respectively) elicited further shock and monkey-chattering from the pair behind me... So much so that I could hardly hear the end music which was fantastic! It sounded a lot like Kate Rusby (but probably wasn't) and the other familiar voice singing what felt like a traditional Aussie folk song was none other than Elton John!! Yes, the big Queen has written a folk song! The credits - in the manner of credits these days, went so fast and were so blurred by the big screen that I couldn't read them well, so I can't credit the music but I did see a choir mentioned - I want to say 'Goonawarra' but I'm not sure that's right - whoever they were, they were stunning. I'm pretty sure there was a little bit of Rolf Harris' pseudo-aboriginal music in there somewhere, which brought a smile to my face and fear to my heart.... Overall, I went for Hugh Jackman, and stayed for the incredible scenery. The stories were well told, in a sympathetic and informative manner. There were odd bits that might need explaining to those whose experience of Australian culture is 'Neighbours' and 'Kath and Kim', but mostly, the plot device of 'explaining to the stuck up English Lady' worked well enough. I can't in all honesty say that it has awoken in me a burning desire to go walkabout in the bush or storm the gates of Canberra demanding reparation for the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia, but I do feel that we should now resign the word 'boong' to the depths along with 'nigger', 'wog' and 'paki' and treat all peoples, no matter what their parentage or history, with respect. LTS |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Phil Edwards Date: 03 Jan 09 - 06:17 AM I don't think GG even watched it. Professor Marcia Langton, indigenous, feminist, and brutally frank, praised it. I don't think you've read Greer's critique, which specifically takes issue with Marcia Langton. "Langton knows the truth about the northern cattle industry but evidently sees as her duty to ignore it, and welcome a fraudulent and misleading fantasy in its place, possibly because the fantasy is designed to promote the current government policy of reconciliation, of which she is a chief proponent." Ouch. Here's the whole thing. |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Ruth Archer Date: 03 Jan 09 - 07:11 AM I haven't seen Australia, but for a film that deals specifically and wonderfully with Australia's stolen children, I can recommend Rabbit Proof Fence |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: freda underhill Date: 03 Jan 09 - 07:19 AM Pip, Germaine Greer is brilliant on many issues, but she has no right to speak on behalf of indigenous people, which she often does as a generalised knee-jerk reaction. Marcia Langton and germaine Greer are as stroppy as each other and are quite capable of arguing their own views equally strongly. Like Marcia Langton and the current government, I support reconciliation with our Indigenous people. It has been an incredibly significant step forward for indigenous Australians. Yes, I disagree with many of the government's indigenous policies, and I note Indigenous Australians are divided over many of them, and that's the way of the world and will always be. however the current government has just announced the largest expenditure towards indgenous health and housing that has ever been granted in the history of our country. We are moving forward, and part of moving forward is acknowledging the past. and that's where the argument is - everyone wants the past acknowledged in their own way, their own version of it. In Redfern, one suburb away from my home, and the heart of the koori community in Sydney, they like the film. Kids growing up there are going to see the film more than once - because it's a film that they can relate to, the stories of their parents and grandparents are in there. It's a story, not a documentary. It's entertainment, and yet it tells a story that is crucial to our history, that hasn't been told before. I was entertained, amused, delighted, apalled and moved by that film. and i wish to enjoy it in the context of my own understanding and experience of our country - i don't need to be lectured by Germaine greer, a woman who has lived elsewhere for decades and is not experiencing the pulse of what's happening here now. |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: freda underhill Date: 03 Jan 09 - 07:40 AM .. better go and smoke some lavender, I think! enjoy the movie, folks! |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Andrez Date: 03 Jan 09 - 07:53 AM Buying into this thread from Big Micks initial query: "I would love to hear from my friends down under as to how this film is being received in Australia". My 5 cents worth is that we enjoyed it pretty much as intended, in terms of light family entertainment. That said, I'm inclined to suggest that our overseas friends dont take it too seriously just enjoy the Kimberley scenery (god knows we did and still do), and the acting of Hugh and Nullah (Nicole didnt do too much for us). Keep in mind that famous jewish saying: "Never mind the quality my boy, look at the width" when you see the film and you'll be spared from getting too carried away with it all. Dont look for any real unstated depth or hidden meaning. There just isnt any. In that way the film Australia is little or no better than the Westerns that informed my childhood about the people, life and the history of the American West. I'd suggest that if anyone wants to get a fair overview of the historical context of the film and a review and summary of the key issues, then a reasonable starting place is the commentary by Germaine Greer in Pip Radish's post above. Cheers, Andrez PS: On a more serious note, if anyone wants confirmation that little has changed in many respects for Australian Indigenous people, have a look at a newly released book called "The Tall Man" by Chloe Hooper. It tells the story of what happened to a resident of Palm Island (off the coast of Queensland) who wound up dead for swearing at a local policeman. The Tall Man Read Greers commentary and then have a look at this story. That should provide a bit more perspective too. PPS: One thing I really do hate about the movie is the title! Could they think of nothing else? |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: GUEST,hilda fish Date: 03 Jan 09 - 08:39 PM Happy New Year peoples! Haven't been around for a while. Sandra from Sydney posted me this and I tossed up whether I should comment or not. I'm with Germaine on this one. Indigenous people of the region have had to argue for many years for wages for their work in this conflict and have only recently had this demand recognised. Unions at the time were totally opposed to any wage for Indigenous people, let alone an equal one. Lousy little sixpence was still, in very many cases, the rule of the day. One perspective you'll never hear of. Oh, Indigenous rather than Aboriginal as an ongoing confirmation of the lie of Terra Nullius. We did not come here; we are not a sub-tribe of Indonesia. We have always been here. Therefore we are Indigenous, not Aboriginal (aboriginal as the colonialists put it). Entertainment for so long has been the vehicle of a warped perspective of history (the warped perspective is if you are the 'other' of course). Entertainment encapsulates imagination, and imagination has necessarily, to be free of those constrictions that demand 'authenticity' or 'truth' perhaps? An interesting and ongoing discussion in my opinion. But where imagination denies a history it makes those living on the 'other' side of history invisible; takes away their human experience (ie like arguments of the holocaust "the holocaust is an American construction!! It did not happen!!"). Australia as a nationa (once again in my humble opinion) is on the cusp of a really important different national future from the one that was written a couple of years ago amazingly enough, and I guess it might be nice if our stories, imaginery or otherwise, encompassed this in it's imagination and culture. I suppose without encompassing it, it continues to be pulled back to an awful past that really, none of us wants. So far as the story of "Australia" goes, I am an awful cynic and am quite tired of romantic twaddle. Jackman is gorgeous as is our Nicole - who would wish them anything but luck? The scenery is indeed awe inspiring but do we need a movie to know that? There are so very many artists, photographers, dancers, story-tellers in this country, that have been telling and showing us this for so long. Is "Australia" part of an Australian movie industry? Sorry, nah. Is Baz Luhman and his wonderful designer wife worth it? Most certainly - every time. Hats off for the effort, but the critical eye, critical ear, and a guardedness against sentimentality is a wonderful thing methinks. |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Art Thieme Date: 03 Jan 09 - 08:59 PM I'm sue that an aboriginal cast recoding of the music will be forthcoming. ;-) Art Thieme |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Ross Campbell Date: 03 Jan 09 - 09:58 PM Check out the Google Ads at top and bottom of this thread. And when did aboriginal stop meaning indigenous? I enjoyed Germaine Greer's review, but I'm still looking forward to seeing the film later today. Ross |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: freda underhill Date: 04 Jan 09 - 12:17 AM Hilda, as usual, you hit the nail on the head. freda (smoking lavender in Dungog). |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Linda Kelly Date: 04 Jan 09 - 06:59 AM Scenery was stunning, the stylisation was excellent, the script and acting were appalling. Unfortunatey that gave it a comic book feel from which it did not recover. A miss for me i'm afraid. |
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Subject: RE: Review: Australia, the movie. Ozcats? From: Andrez Date: 04 Jan 09 - 07:51 PM I didnt know smoking lavender was legal these days :-) Cheers, Andrez |
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