Aussie classics? They're out there

[Shana A]

Aussie classics? They're out there
December 9, 2008 - 11:27AM

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/entertainment/the-real-aussie-classics/2008/12/09/1228584803469.html

With director Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia inspiring theatre goers, why not revisit some other great Aussie film classics?

The first eddies of an Australian cultural wave began lapping at foreign shores through such films as My Brilliant Career, The Last Wave and Mad Max. Of course, it all climaxed in an orgy of kangaroo commercialism with Men at Work's Down Under, Olivia Newton-John's Koala Blue stores and more shrimp on the barbie than Paul Hogan could shake a platypus at.

But that didn't smother the original sense of discovery that a country long ignored on the world scene was finding its voice in film, music, literature and art.

Here's a selection from the cream of Australia's cinematic crop:

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) - Not a great film by any means but an ebullient one, whose energy is infectious. The story of a transsexual and two drag queens who journey to a remote Outback town to perform, it not only features a singalong soundtrack (ABBA, CeCe Peniston) but two actors who have gone on to global success: Guy Pearce (Memento, LA Confidential) and Hugo Weaving (The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix).

[Goldy]

I think the highlight for Aussie cinema talent in my lifetime was when Dean Semmler won the Oscar for cinematography for Dances with Wolves, his work totally made that film.

I know there are more well known examples but this is a guy who just did his job really really well. A lot of the Aussie-starred films rely heavily on the fact, "Oh it's an Aussie playing an American, how cute!" Also a lot of the best know Aussie actors star in some really mass-produced mediocre films - I'm looking at you Nicole Kidman in Days of Thunder.

Of couse Cate Blanchett totally rocks this world!!!!!

And I, musically, I will always worship at the altar of Olivia Newton-John.