dot AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND CINEMA

 

Directed by Gillian Armstrong –

Charlotte Grey Cate Blanchett stars in a WWII drama based on the novel by Sebastian Faulks.

Death Defying Acts 2007. Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in a drama about Harry Houdini and his passionate affair with a psychic.

Little Women Excellent, made in USA, adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic, stars Winona Ryder.

My Brilliant Career Judy Davis & Sam Neill star in adaptation of the novel by Miles Franklin.

Oscar and Lucinda Adaptation of the novel by Peter Carey.

Starstruck A musical comedy starring Jo Kennedy.

Unfolding Florence: the many lives of Florence Broadhurst Documentary about the flamboyant pioneering Sydney designer whose brutal murder has never been solved.

 

Directed by Bruce Beresford -

The Adventures of Barry McKenzie 1972. Ribald ocker comedy with Barry Humphries and Barry Crocker.

Breaker Morant 1980. Famous Boer War court-martial stars Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters & Bryan Brown.

The Club Adaptation of the David Williamson play.

Don’s Party Adaptation of a David Williamson play set on the evening of the 1969 federal election.

The Fringe Dwellers 1986. Justine Saunders stars.

The Getting of Wisdom 1977. Fine adaptation of Henry Handel(Ethel) Richardson’s autobiographical novel set in 1910.

Mao’s Last Dancer 2009. The inspiring true story of Li Cunxin and his extraordinary journey from a poor upbringing in rural China to international stardom as a world-class ballet dancer

Paradise Road True story of the WWII prison camp experiences of a group of Dutch, English & Australian women captured by the Japanese after the fall of Singapore.

Puberty Blues 1981. Adaptation of a novel by Gabriel Carey that explored the world of young “surfie chicks”.

 

Directed by Tim Burstall -

Kangaroo Based on the D.H. Lawrence novel, with Colin Friels & Judy Davis.

 

Directed by Jane Campion -

An Angel at My Table Based on the autobiography of the New Zealand novelist Janet Frame.

Bright Star 2009. Based on the three-year romance between 19th century poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, which was cut short by Keats' untimely death at age 25.

Holy Smoke Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel star in layered story of cults and credibility.

In the Cut Meg Ryan stars in an intense thriller based on the novel by Susanna Moore.

The Piano 1994 Academy Award Winner, starring Holly Hunter, Sam Neill & Harvey Keitel; Michael Nyman music score.

Sweetie Wickedly off-the-wall comedy portrays the relationship between two sisters. 5 AFI award nominations

 

Directed by Paul Cox -

The Diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky. Documentary about the famous Russian dancer.

The Human Touch 2004. Chris Haywood stars.

Innocence Stars Charles Tingwell and Julia Blake.

Lonely Hearts starring Wendy Hughes and Norman Kaye.

Molokai David Wenham stars as the Belgian priest who lived, worked and died amonst the lepers on the island of Molokai..

Salvation 2008. A tale of three intersecting lives and the various meanings of salvation. Stars Wendy Hughes & Bruce Myles.

 

Directed by Peter Jackson -

Bad Taste Monty Python meets the Evil Dead. Rated R.

Heavenly Creatures Powerful NZ thriller about two schoolgirls whose obsessive friendship leads to crime.

The Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring From the depths of Middle Earth (in the heart of NZ) comes a dazzling interpretation of Tolkien.

The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Part two of the much lauded NZ trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King The final instalment.

The Lovely Bones Jackson’s 2009 adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel about life and death, revisits his earlier work – Heavenly Creatures.

Meet the Feebles. Another outrageous parody.

 

 

Directed by Phillip Noyce -

Catch a Fire 2006. Tim Robbins stars in powerful Apartheid-era South African drama.

Heatwave Judy Davis and Richard Moir star.

Newsfront 1978, stars Bill Hunter, Gerard Kennedy, Wendy Hughes and Chris Haywood.

The Quiet American Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser star in impressive adaptation of Graham Greene's novel.

Rabbit Proof Fence moving adaptation of a ‘stolen generation’ biography “Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence” by Doris Pilkington.

 

Directed by Fred Schepisi -

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith Based on the novel by Thomas Keneally.

The Devil’s Playground 1976. Unflinching look at the repressive regime of a Catholic boy’s boarding school.

Last Orders Michael Caine heads a stellar British cast in this adaptation of Graham Swift's award winning novel.

Six Degrees of Separation Stars Stockard Channing, Will Smith and Donald Sutherland.

 

Directed by Peter Weir -

Dead Poets Society Made in USA, starring Robin Williams as a teacher.

Gallipoli Mel Gibson & Mark Lee in drama of war, patriotism and friendship.

Green Card Stars Gerard Depardieu - his English language debut is a delightful romantic comedy. Made in USA.

Master and Commander Russell Crowe stars in this maritime epic.

Peter Weir Short Film Collection A selection of his earliest short films includes “Homesdale”, “Three to Go: Michael”, “Three Directions in Pop Music” and “Incredible Floridas”.

Picnic at Hanging Rock 1975. An adaptation of Joan Lindsay's novel about the mysterious disappearance of a group of private school girls during a bush picnic in 1900.

The Truman Show Satire of modern media and morality.

The Year of Living Dangerously Adaptation of C.J. Koch's novel of political unrest in Indonesia in 1965.

 

$9.99 Dir. Tatia Rosenthal, 2008. A stop-motion animated story about people living in a Syndey apartment complex looking for meaning in their lives.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Dir. Stephen Elliott. Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving & Guy Pearce star in an hilarious drag comedy.

Alexandra’s Project Dir. Rolf de Heer. Psychological drama stars Gary Sweet.

All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane Dir. Louise Alston, 2007. A romantic comedy about leaving home.

Australia Dir. Baz Luhrman, 2008. It’s big, sprawling, confused, with more film references than you can poke a stick at...

Australian Rules Dir. Paul Golman. Adapted from the teen fiction novel, “Deadly Unna”.

Babe Dir. Chris Noonan, wildly successful animated pic based on the pig-dog books by Dick King Smith.

Bad Boy Bubby Dir. Rolf De Heer. Nicholas Hope stars in confronting film about abuse and arrested development. AFI Award winner. Rated R.

Balibo Dir. Robert Connolly, 2009. Based on Jill Jolliffe’s book about the Balibo Five and events in East Timor in 1975.

The Bank Dir. Robert Connelly. David Wenham stars in great “revenge of the underdog” flick.

Beautiful Kate Dir. Rachel Ward, 2009. Writer Ned is asked to return to the family home by his sister Sally to farewell his dying father. While there, he starts recalling childhood memories that awaken long-buried family secrets.

The Bet Dir. Mark Lee, 2007, a tale of ambition, greed and rivalry.

Beneath Clouds Dir. Ivan Sen. Impressive debut feature.

Better Than Sex Dir. Jonathan Teplitzky, stars David Wenham.

Birthday Boy Dir. Sejong Park. Animated.

Black & White Dir. Craig Lahiff. Kerry Fox and Robert Carlyle star in courtroom drama based on “The Stewart Case” (an Aboriginal man who was accused of raping and killing a young white girl in Adelaide in the 1960s).

The Black Balloon Dir. Elissa Down, 2008. Award winning drama about a family dealing with autism.

Black Sheep Dir. Jonathan King, NZ, 2006. Black comedy about some genetically modified killer sheep.

Bliss Dir. Ray Lawrence, from a story by Peter Carey starring Barry Otto. .

Blackrock Dir. Steve Vidler. Powerful adaptation of the play by Nick Enright about adolescence.

Blessed Dir. Ana Kokkinos, 2009. Drama about the depth of love between mothers and children and the life force that connects us all.

The Book of Revelation Dir. Ana Kokkinos, 2006. An erotic mystery about power and sex. Rated R.

The Boys Dir. Rowan Woods. Multi AFI Award winner is an unflinching analysis of the violence that lurks in the heart of Australian society.

Bran Nue Dae Dir. Rachel Perkins. Adaptation of the Jimmy Chi musical set in Broome in 1969.

Burke and Wills Dir. Oliver Torr & Matt Zeremes, 2006. Two young men exploring the complexities of inner suburban life and relationships.

Candy Dir. Neil Armfield. Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish & Geoffrey Rush star in powerful & affecting drama about love and addiction.

Careful, He Might Hear You Dir. Carl Schultz, adaptation of Sumner Lock Elliot’s novel set in the 1930's.

The Castle Dir. Rob Sitch. Laconic Aussie comedy – it’s a must.

Children of the Revolution Dir. Peter Duncan. A Reds under and in the bed comedy starring Judy Davis, Sam Neill and Jeffrey Rush.

Chopper Dir. Andrew Dominik, stars Eric Bana, loosely based on the life of hitman, Chopper Reid. Rated R.

Clubland Dir. Cherie Nowlan. Brenda Blethlyn stars as an aging leagues club performer and overly possessive mother.

Cosi Dir. Mark Joffe, 1996. Adaptation of the Louis Nowra play with Toni Collette, Ben Menelsohn and Barry Otto.

Death in Brunswick Dir. John Ruane, 1991. Sam Neill, John Clarke & Zoe Carides star in a very funny Melbourne comedy.

December Boys Dir. Rod Hardy. Sentimental period piece about 4 young boys who all arrived at an orphanage one December.

Dingo Dir. Rolf De Heer, 1991. Colin Friels and Miles Davis share a passion for jazz.

Dirty Deeds Dir. David Caesar. Bryan Brown, Toni Collette, John Goodman & Sam Neil star in enjoyable period ganster pic.

Disgrace Dir. Steve Jacobs, 2008. John Malkovich stars in an adaptation of J. M. Coetzee’s award-winning novel.

The Dish Dir. Rob Sitch. Delightful satellite comedy stars Sam Neil, Kevin Harrington and Tom Long.

Dogs in Space Dir. Richard Lowenstein, starring Michael Hutchence. Rated R.

Dogwatch Dir. Laurie McInnes. A tale of lost men adrift on the high seas, in a battle for survival.

Doing Time For Patsy Cline Dir. Chris Kennedy. Doesn’t everybody want a Golden Guitar?

Dr. Plonk Dir. Rolf de Heer, 2007. A tribute to the days of silent slapstick comedy stars Magda Szubanski.

Eagle Vs Shark Dir. Taika Cohen, NZ 2007. Comedy about the romantic relationship between a strange pair of social misfits.

Emerald City Dir. Michael Jenkins, 1988, is based on the play by David Williamson.

Feeling Sexy Dir. Davida Allen. Amusing comedy of a married woman’s secret life.

The Finished People Dir. Khoa Do. From the heart of south-western Sydney comes an unexpected and poignant portrait of life on the streets.

Garage Days Dir. Alex Proyas. Explores the world of 'wannabe' musicians, stars Kick Gurry and Pia Miranda.

Gettin’ Square Dir. Jonathan Teplitzky. Sam Worthington, David Wenham & Gary Sweet star in a comedy about starting over, keeping clean and going straight.

The Goddess of 1967 Dir. Clara Law. Outstanding film that follows the journey of a two young people into the brutal Australian outback.

Head On Dir. Ana Kokkinos. Based on the uncompromising urban gay novel by Christos Tsiolkas. Rated R.

He Died With a Felafel in His Hand Dir. Richard Lowenstein. Adaptation of the cult novel by John Birmingham.

The Home Song Stories Dir. Tony Ayres. Joan Chen stars in Ayre’s award winning autobiographical tale of his Chinese family coming to terms with Australia.

Idiot Box Dir. David Caesar. Black comedy with Ben Mendelson & Jeremy Sims.

The Interview Dir. Craig Monahan. Multiple AFI Award winner. Hugo Weaving is outstanding in this role.

The Jammed Dir. Dee McLachlan, 2007. Powerful thriller about trafficking, governmental deportation and the sex slave trade in Melbourne.

Japanese Story Dir. Sue Brooks. 2003 multiple AFI Award Winner, starring Toni Collette. .

Jindabyne Dir. Ray Lawrence, 2006. Based on a Raymond Carver story, a powerful and original film about the things that haunt us. Stars Gabriel Byrne.

Keating! The Musical Dir. Neil Armfield.

Kenny Dir. Clayton Jacobson, 2006. Wacky plumbing comedy.

Kiss Or Kill Dir. Bill Bennett. 1997 AFI Award Winner.

Kokoda Dir. Alister Grierson, 2006. Dramatic reconstruction of one of the iconic Pacific battles of WWII.

Lake Mungo Dir. Joel Anderson, 2008, a mystery, a thriller and a ghost story told in documentary style that illustrates how the dead can forever haunt the living.

Lantana Dir. Ray Lawrence. Anthony La Paglia and Kerry Armstrong star in a powerful drama.

The Last Ride Dir. Glendyn Ivin, 2009. Hugo Weaving stars in a poetically spare and emotionally tense tale of the visceral bond between a parent and child.

Last Train to Freo Dir. Jeremy Sims, 2006. Riveting psychological drama with a twist.

L’Idole Dir. Samantha Lang. Set in contemporary Paris, stars Leelee Sobieski and James Hong in a tale of co-dependence.

Like Minds Dir. Gregory J Read. Toni Collette, Richard Roxburgh star in a complex psychological drama.

Little Fish Dir. Rowan Woods. Cate Blanchett, Sam Neil, Hugo Weaving & Noni Hazlehurst star in multiple AFI Award winning drama.

Look Both Ways Dir. Sarah Watt. William McInnes and Justine Clarke star in a powerful and ultimately uplifting film about people coming to terms with their mortality and with loss.

Looking for Alibrandi Dir. Kate Woods. Melina Marchetta’s bestselling teen novel is convincingly transferred to the screen.

Love and Other Catastrophes Dir. Emma-Kate Croghan. Highly successful low-budget Melbourne University film.

Love’s Brother Dir. Jan Sardi. 1950s drama of an Italian mail order bride mixup.

Lucky Country Dir. Kriv Stenders, 2009. Aden Young heads a taut ensemble cast in this taut period thriller.

Lucky Miles Dir. Michael James Rowland 2007. Insightful and blackly comic drama about illegal immigrants.

Mad Dog Morgan Dir. Philippe Mora, 1976. Dennis Hopper , David Gulpilil, Jack Thompson & Frank Thring star in a good but very violent pic about the 19th century bushranger.

Mad Max Dir. George Miller. The original. Rated R.

Mad Max II The most haunting film in the M M series starring Mel Gibson.

Mad Max: Beyond the Thunderdome starring Tina Turner.

The Magician Dir. Scott Ryan. Witty film about a hitman who commissions his film student neighbour to document his life.

The Man From Snowy River Dir. George Miller, 1982. Kirk Douglas, Jack Thompson & Sigrid Thornton star in this Australian classic.

The Man from Snowy River II The sequel.

The Man Who Sued God Dir. Mark Joffe. Billy Connolly stars in insurance comedy.

A Man’s Gotta Do Dir. Chris Kennedy. John Howard stars in feel-good comedy.

Mary and Max Dir. Adam Elliot, 2009. Award-winning claymation feature about the friendship that develops between an unlikely pair of penpals.

Men’s Group Dir. Michael Joy, 2008. Drama about a group of six men, who start off as complete strangers but eventually find insight into themselves.

Monkey Grip Dir. Ken Cameron. Noni Hazelhurst stars.

Monkey Puzzle Dir. Mark Fortsmann. A group of 20-somethings go trekking deep in the Blue Mountains in search of the Wollemi Pine and get more than they bargained for.

The Monkey’s Mask Dir. Samantha Lang. Based on the lesbian crime verse novel by Dorothy Porter.

Moulin Rouge Dir. Baz Luhrmann. Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor star in breathless musical extravaganza.

Mullet Dir. David Caeser. Ben Mendelsohn stars as a prodigal son returning to his sleepy home town.

Muriel’s Wedding Dir. P.J. Hogan. Highly successful recent Oz comedy.

My Year Without Sex Dir. Sarah Watt, 2009. Sacha Horler and Matt Day star in a quirky kind of love story about a family dealing with all the big questions and even more of the small ones. 

Ned Kelly Dir. Gregor Jordan. Heath Ledger takes the title role.

Newcastle Dir. Dan Castle, 2008. A coming of age surfing movie set in the town of the same name.

Noise Dir. Matthew Saville 2007. A policeman suffering from tinnitus is part of the investigation of a brutal crime.

The Odd Angry Shot Dir. Tom Jeffrey. John Hargreaves stars in Vietnam War drama.

The Old Man Who Read Love Stories Dir. Rolf de Heer. Richard Dreyfuss and Hugo Weaving star.

Once Were Warriors Dir. Lee Tamahori. Extremely powerful and confronting Maori drama.

One Perfect Day Dir. Paul Currie. Winner of ASDA Best First Feature Award.

The Oyster Farmer Dir. Anna Reeves. Kerry Armstrong, David Field, Jim Norton star in a terrific, well nuanced film.

Peaches Dir. Craig Monahan, 2004. Drama starring Hugo Weaving and Jacqueline McKenzie.

Playing Beatie Bow Dir. Donald Crombie based on Ruth Park’s novel

Prime Mover Dir. David Caesar, 2009. Comedy about a long haul truck driver.

Proof Dir. Jocelyn Moorehouse. Multiple AFI Award winner stars Hugo Weaving as a blind photographer.

The Rage in Placid Lake Dir. Tony McNamara. Oddball comedy about a boy rebelling against his new age parents by going straight.

Razzle Dazzle: a journey into dance Dir. Darren Ashton. Kerry Armstrong stars in amusing story about a dance school and its quest for success in a big competition.

The Road the Nhill Dir. Sue Brooks, comedy of small town life.

Romper Stomper Dir. Geoffrey Wright, 1992, Russell Crowe stars in this tough portrayal of urban gang life. Rated R

Romulus, My Father Dir. Richard Roxburgh, 2007. Eric Bana stars in great adaptation of the memoir by Raimond Gaita.

Russian Doll Dir. Stavros Kazantzidis. Hugo Weaving, David Wenham and Rebecca Frith star in romantic comedy.

Samson & Delilah Dir. Warwick Thornton, 2009. A moving teenage love story set in a remote indigenous community. Winner: Prix Un Certain Regard, Cannes, 2009.

September Dir. Peter Carstairs, 2006. Set in a rural town in 1968, this drama explores the friendship between two boys, one black, the other white.

Shine Dir. Scott Hicks, award-winning biopic of pianist David Helfgott. Stars Geoffrey Rush.

Silent Partner Dir. Alkinos Tsilimidos. The story of two Aussie losers and their greyhound.

The Silver Brumby Dir. John Tatoulis, based on the much loved book, stars Caroline Goodall.

SNAK Sensitive New Age Killer Dir. Mark Savage. Stylised tongue-in-cheek action comedy.

Soft Fruit Dir. Christina Andreef. Engaging story of a family dealing with their mother’s terminal illness.

Solo Dir. Morgan O’Neill, 2006. Colin Friels stars in a tough thriller that was the Project Greenlight Winner.

Somersault Dir. Cate Shortland. Winner of 13 AFI Awards in 2004, this is a stunning directorial debut with local interest. The film is set in the Canberra region and the filmmaker grew up here.

Son of a Lion Dir. Benjamin Gilmour, 2007. Set in a remote area of Pakistan where the local industry is the making of weapons.

The Sound of One Hand Clapping Dir. Richard Flanagan. Kerry Fox stars in compelling tale of a woman coming to terms with her troubled past.

La Spagnola Dir. Steve Jacobs. A dark comedy of lust, love and revenge set against the desolation and dust of country Australia in the 1960s.

Spotswood Dir. Mark Joffe. A comedy set in the 1960s in Melbourne factory starring Anthony Hopkins as a “time and motion” expert.

The Square Dir. Nash Edgerton, 2008. A pacy thriller about a man's life unravelling when his mistress brings him a bag of cash...

The Strength of Water Dir. Armagan Ballantyne, NZ, 2009. A moody drama set in an isolated Maori community.

Strictly Ballroom Dir. Baz Luhrmann, dance comedy stars Paul Mercurio.

Sunday Too Far Away Dir. Ken Hannam, 1975. An Australian outback classic starring Jack Thompson.

Ten Canoes Dir. Rolf De Heer, 2006, a ground-breaking glimpse into Aboriginal life before European colonisation. Shot in and around Central Arnhem Land, in conjunction with the People of Ramingining.

Ten Empty Dir. Anthony Hayes. Depicts a family shattered by mental illness.

The Tender Hook Dir. Jonathan Ogilvie, 2008. Hugo Weaving and Rose Byrne in a romantic thriller set in the 1920s.

Three Dollars Dir. Robert Connolly. David Wenham stars in adaptation of the novel by Elliot Perlman.

Till Human Voices Wake Us Dir. Michael Petroni. Haunting tale of the burden of guilt associated with the loss of a childhood friend.

The Tracker Dir. Rolf de Heer. Stars David Gulpilil and Gary Sweet, music by Archie Roach.

Travelling Light Dir. Kathryn Millard. Pia Miranda stars in a gentle comedy set in Adelaide in 1971.

Travelling North Leo Mckern & Julia Blake in adaptation of David Williamson's play.

Two Hands Dir. Gregor Jordan. Very funny crime caper with Bryan Brown.

2:37 Dir. Murali K Thalluri, 2006. Ensemble drama about a group of high school students whose lives are affected by a tragedy. Homage to Gus Van Sant.

Unfinished Sky Dir. Peter Duncan, 2008. William McInnes and Monic Hendrickx star in a dramatic love story with a twist - an Australian farmer and a Afghanee refugee who together face their demons.

Van Diemen’s Land Dir. Jonathan auf der Heide, 2008. Based on a true tale of convict cannibalism.

Wake in Fright Dir. Ted Kotcheff, 1973. Believed lost for many years and now painstakingly restored by the NFSA, this is still a powerful and brutal portrait of life in the outback.

Walkabout Dir. Nicholas Roeg, 1971. Landmark “Australian” film by British director.

Walking on Water Dir. Tony Ayres. Vince Colosimo and Maria Theodorakis star in a compelling drama that was nominated for a total of 9 AFI awards.

Whale Rider Dir. Niki Caro, NZ drama about a young Maori girl’s struggle to be accepted as a potential leader by her grandfather.

The Wide Sargasso Sea Dir. John Duigan. Rachel Ward & Michael York star in adaptation of the novel by Jean Rhys.

Wolf Creek Dir. Greg McLean. Inspired by Australia’s most gruesome true crime story this is not for the faint hearted. Rated R.

The Year My Voice Broke Dir. John Duigan, 1987, Noah Taylor and Ben Mendelsohn star in a coming of age drama set in a rural town in the 1960s.

Yolngu Boy Dir. Stephen Johnson. The story of three Aboriginal boys caught in a collision between traditional and contemporary cultures. Shot entirely in Arnhem Land, Darwin and Kakadu.