Over the last 14 years, Jack Hutchings has edited four short films that have screened in competition at the Cannes Film Festival: Yardbird (2012), Jerrycan (2008), Nature’s Way (2006) and Cracker Bag (2003). His latest feature, Berlin Syndrome, is a German-set thriller that premiered at this year’s Sundance. The film concerns an Australian tourist in Berlin who has an erotic fling with a schoolteacher that turns into a tale of captor and prisoner. The film marks the return of director Cate Shortland, whose last film Lore screened at festivals across the world. Below, Hutchings discusses his working dynamic with Shortland, the importance of test screenings and shaping the […]...
- 1/26/2017
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Son of a Gun is the feature debut of Julius Avery, winner of the Cannes Jury Prize for his short film Jerrycan, and stars Ewan McGregor (August: Osage County, The Impossible), Brenton Thwaites (Maleficent, The Signal) and Alicia Vikander (Testament of Youth, Ex Machina).
Locked up for a minor crime, 19 year old Jr (Brenton Thwaites) quickly learns the harsh realities of prison life. Protection, if you can get it, is paramount. Jr soon finds himself under the watchful eye of Australia’s most notorious criminal, Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor). But protection comes at a price; Lynch and his crew have plans for their young protégée. Upon release, Jr must help secure Lynch’s freedom, staging a daring prison break and joining his crew as they plan a gold heist that promises to deliver millions. However, as things start to go wrong, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. Jr...
Locked up for a minor crime, 19 year old Jr (Brenton Thwaites) quickly learns the harsh realities of prison life. Protection, if you can get it, is paramount. Jr soon finds himself under the watchful eye of Australia’s most notorious criminal, Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor). But protection comes at a price; Lynch and his crew have plans for their young protégée. Upon release, Jr must help secure Lynch’s freedom, staging a daring prison break and joining his crew as they plan a gold heist that promises to deliver millions. However, as things start to go wrong, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. Jr...
- 2/4/2015
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
This is a reprint of our review from the 2014 BFI London Festival. One of the most exciting movements in cinema in the last decade or two or so has come from Australia. Mostly (but not exclusively) tied to the production company Blue Tongue Films (which includes luminaries like Joel Edgerton, David Michod, and Spencer Susser), but also encompassing experienced figures like Andrew Dominik, Cate Shortland, Julia Leigh, Justin Kurzel, and John Hillcoat, the films are loosely tied together by the simple mark of quality, with great movies like "Animal Kingdom," "Snowtown Murders," "The Proposition" "Somersault," and "Chopper" emerging from the land down under since the dawn of the 21st century. Could the next name to join them be Julius Avery? The director won the Jury Prize at Cannes for his short "Jerrycan," and now makes his directorial debut with crime thriller "Son Of A Gun," which has managed to attract an.
- 1/20/2015
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
One of the most exciting movements in cinema in the last decade or two or so has come from Australia. Mostly (but not exclusively) tied to the production company Blue Tongue Films (which includes luminaries like Joel Edgerton, David Michod, and Spencer Susser), but also encompassing experienced figures like Andrew Dominik, Cate Shortland, Julia Leigh, Justin Kurzel, and John Hillcoat, the films are loosely tied together by the simple mark of quality, with great movies like "Animal Kingdom," "Snowtown Murders," "The Proposition" "Somersault," and "Chopper" emerging from the land down under since the dawn of the 21st century. Could the next name to join them be Julius Avery? The director won the Jury Prize at Cannes for his short "Jerrycan," and now makes his directorial debut with crime thriller "Son Of A Gun," which has managed to attract an A-list star and two of the business' busiest, fastest-rising young...
- 10/17/2014
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
A new clip from the heist thriller “Son of a Gun” has debuted, teasing us with a scene between Brenton Thwaites as a young fugitive and Alicia Vikander as his romantic interest. The feature directorial debut of award-winning short film writer-director Julius Avery (“Jerrycan”), “Son of a Gun” centers on Jr (Thwaites), a 19-year-old who is detained for a minor crime and locked up behind bars, where gives up what little freedom he has left to form an alliance with crime boss Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor). After assisting Lynch and his crew in a prison break, Jr agrees to join [...]
The post Watch: Alicia Vikander and Brenton Thwaites in New ‘Son of a Gun’ Clip appeared first on Up and Comers.
The post Watch: Alicia Vikander and Brenton Thwaites in New ‘Son of a Gun’ Clip appeared first on Up and Comers.
- 10/9/2014
- by Alfonso Espina
- UpandComers
The Ewan McGregor-starring Son of a Gun has released its first clip.
Alicia Vikander and Brenton Thwaites also star in Julius Avery's crime thriller.
The clip sees an early encounter between McGregor and Thwaites's characters in prison.
The film centres around a young convict (Thwaites) who is taken under the wing of a seasoned criminal (McGregor).
After being released from prison, the pair become involved in an ambitious gold heist.
Avery won a Cannes Jury Prize for his 2008 short Jerrycan.
Thwaites can currently be seen in young adult adaptation The Giver.
Son of a Gun will screen at the BFI London Film Festival on October 16.
The film will be released in UK's cinemas on January 16. A Us release date is yet to be announced.
Alicia Vikander and Brenton Thwaites also star in Julius Avery's crime thriller.
The clip sees an early encounter between McGregor and Thwaites's characters in prison.
The film centres around a young convict (Thwaites) who is taken under the wing of a seasoned criminal (McGregor).
After being released from prison, the pair become involved in an ambitious gold heist.
Avery won a Cannes Jury Prize for his 2008 short Jerrycan.
Thwaites can currently be seen in young adult adaptation The Giver.
Son of a Gun will screen at the BFI London Film Festival on October 16.
The film will be released in UK's cinemas on January 16. A Us release date is yet to be announced.
- 9/29/2014
- Digital Spy
In the new clip from the Australian heist thriller “Son of a Gun,” Brenton Thwaites learns that it’s best to keep your identity a secret if you plan on surviving a prison sentence. The feature directorial debut of award-winning short film writer-director Julius Avery (who won a Jury Prize at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival for “Jerrycan”), “Son of a Gun” stars Thwaites as Jr, a 19-year-old who is locked up behind bars for a minor crime. Whilst inside prison, he makes a deal with the nation’s most notorious criminal, Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor), who makes a pact with the [...]
The post Watch: Brenton Thwaites Learns Prison’s Unwritten Rule in ‘Son of a Gun’ Clip appeared first on Up and Comers.
The post Watch: Brenton Thwaites Learns Prison’s Unwritten Rule in ‘Son of a Gun’ Clip appeared first on Up and Comers.
- 9/25/2014
- by Alfonso Espina
- UpandComers
Brenton Thwaites learns about the deadly consequences of making a deal with an inmate in the first trailer for the Julius Avery-directed Australian heist thriller “Son of a Gun.” The film, which marks the feature directorial debut for the award-winning writer/director of “Jerrycan,” follows Jr (Thwaites), a 19-year-old who is locked up for a minor crime and finds himself the subject of interest by the nation’s most notorious criminal, Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor), who offers the young man his alliance and guidance as a reward for helping to break him out of prison. Fellow up and comer Alicia Vikander also [...]
The post Watch: Brenton Thwaites and Alicia Vikander in First ‘Son of a Gun’ Trailer appeared first on Up and Comers.
The post Watch: Brenton Thwaites and Alicia Vikander in First ‘Son of a Gun’ Trailer appeared first on Up and Comers.
- 9/11/2014
- by Alfonso Espina
- UpandComers
Writer-director Julius Avery's debut feature Son of a Gun will have its international premiere in official competition at the BFI London Film Festival next month.
The heist thriller stars Ewan McGregor, rising star Brenton Thwaites (The Giver, Maleficent), Alicia Vikander, Matt Nable, Damon Herriman, Tom Budge, Nash Edgerton and Jacek Koman.
Timothy White at Southern Light Films produced the movie with co-producer Janelle Landers, backed by Screen Australia.
..It is such a proud and exciting moment for everyone involved in Son of a Gun to be in official competition at a festival as historic and respected as the BFI London Film Festival,. Avery said.
Thwaites plays 19-year-old Jr, who is drawn into the lawless world of a notorious criminal. Serving six months for a minor offence,. he quickly learns the harsh realities of prison life. After a chance encounter, he finds himself under the watchful eye of Brendan Lynch...
The heist thriller stars Ewan McGregor, rising star Brenton Thwaites (The Giver, Maleficent), Alicia Vikander, Matt Nable, Damon Herriman, Tom Budge, Nash Edgerton and Jacek Koman.
Timothy White at Southern Light Films produced the movie with co-producer Janelle Landers, backed by Screen Australia.
..It is such a proud and exciting moment for everyone involved in Son of a Gun to be in official competition at a festival as historic and respected as the BFI London Film Festival,. Avery said.
Thwaites plays 19-year-old Jr, who is drawn into the lawless world of a notorious criminal. Serving six months for a minor offence,. he quickly learns the harsh realities of prison life. After a chance encounter, he finds himself under the watchful eye of Brendan Lynch...
- 9/3/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Ewan McGregor features in the first trailer for Son of a Gun.
Alicia Vikander and Brenton Thwaites also star in Julius Avery's crime thriller.
The film centres around a young convict (Thwaites) who is taken under the wing of a seasoned criminal (McGregor).
After being released from prison, the pair become involved in an ambitious gold heist.
Avery won a Cannes Jury Prize for his 2008 short Jerrycan.
Thwaites can currently be seen in young adult adaptation The Giver.
Son of a Gun will be released in the UK on January 16. A Us release date is yet to be announced.
Alicia Vikander and Brenton Thwaites also star in Julius Avery's crime thriller.
The film centres around a young convict (Thwaites) who is taken under the wing of a seasoned criminal (McGregor).
After being released from prison, the pair become involved in an ambitious gold heist.
Avery won a Cannes Jury Prize for his 2008 short Jerrycan.
Thwaites can currently be seen in young adult adaptation The Giver.
Son of a Gun will be released in the UK on January 16. A Us release date is yet to be announced.
- 8/27/2014
- Digital Spy
With names like Ewan McGregor, Alicia Vikander and Brenton Thwaites among the cast, we figured "Son Of A Gun" would've been slotted somewhere on the fall festival circuit (maybe it'll show up in Telluride this weekend?). But the thriller is opening Down Under shortly, and the first trailer is here. Written and directed by Julius Avery (who took home a Cannes Jury Prize for his 2008 short "Jerrycan"), the story follows a veteran criminal who takes a protegé under his wing, and together they plot a major gold heist. But of course, complications arise by way of the law, the unreliable notion of honor among thieves and a beautiful woman. Seems like pretty standard stuff, but McGregor is clearly having a blast chewing up the scenery, so if this is just a thriller executed with some chops, perhaps that'll be enough. No U.S. Date for this one yet, but it...
- 8/26/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
A24 has nabbed U.S. rights to "Son of a Gun," an Australian heist thriller starring Ewan McGregor, Variety reports. The debut feature from Julius Avery, who won a Cannes' jury prize back in 2008 with his short film "Jerrycan," "Son of a Gun" also stars Alicia Vikander and Brenton Thwaites. McGregor plays Australia's public enemy #1. Read More: Cannes Bible: Every Review, Interview and Feature from the Festival A24 has been on a buying spree at Cannes. Earlier today, we reported that the company has acquired the new Atom Egoyan thriller "The Captive," starring Ryan Reynolds.
- 5/16/2014
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
Australia hasn.t had a film selected for official competition at the Cannes Film Festival or the Un Certain Regard sidebar since 2011 and in the Directors. Fortnight section since 2009.
But the prospects are looking brighter this year. According to If.s straw poll among industry figures, David Michôd.s The Rover, Rolf de Heer.s Charlie.s Country and Zak Hilditch.s These Final Hours are promising candidates for one or more of the festival.s competitive sections.
The official competition line-up for the 67th Cannes festival and Un Certain Regard will be unveiled on Thursday night local time by fest director Thierry Frémaux.
Baz Luhrmann.s The Great Gatsby was the opening night film in Cannes last year, out of competition. Julia Leigh.s Sleeping Beauty was the last Australian film to screen in competition in 2011, the same year that Ivan Sen.s Toomelah was invited to Un Certain Regard.
But the prospects are looking brighter this year. According to If.s straw poll among industry figures, David Michôd.s The Rover, Rolf de Heer.s Charlie.s Country and Zak Hilditch.s These Final Hours are promising candidates for one or more of the festival.s competitive sections.
The official competition line-up for the 67th Cannes festival and Un Certain Regard will be unveiled on Thursday night local time by fest director Thierry Frémaux.
Baz Luhrmann.s The Great Gatsby was the opening night film in Cannes last year, out of competition. Julia Leigh.s Sleeping Beauty was the last Australian film to screen in competition in 2011, the same year that Ivan Sen.s Toomelah was invited to Un Certain Regard.
- 4/16/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A casting call for Aboriginal and ethnic actors to play criminals in an Australian thriller starring McGregor is accused of bias
An Australian crime thriller starring Ewan McGregor has run into an embarrassing row over a casting call which asked for extras of Aboriginal or other ethnic minority backgrounds to play convicts.
Son of a Gun, billed as a taut heist movie which centres on the relationship between Australia's public enemy number one (McGregor) and a young protege, expects to shoot in Western Australia next year with Cannes prize-winner Julius Avery in the director's chair. Producers have drawn the ire of race campaigners after appearing to cast along racial lines, issuing a call for mainly "Aboriginal, Islander, Maori and Middle Eastern males" to play prisoners, though there was room too for "tough-looking guys of other nationalities". When it came to casting "hired muscle", the film wanted mainly "Australian, Italian and...
An Australian crime thriller starring Ewan McGregor has run into an embarrassing row over a casting call which asked for extras of Aboriginal or other ethnic minority backgrounds to play convicts.
Son of a Gun, billed as a taut heist movie which centres on the relationship between Australia's public enemy number one (McGregor) and a young protege, expects to shoot in Western Australia next year with Cannes prize-winner Julius Avery in the director's chair. Producers have drawn the ire of race campaigners after appearing to cast along racial lines, issuing a call for mainly "Aboriginal, Islander, Maori and Middle Eastern males" to play prisoners, though there was room too for "tough-looking guys of other nationalities". When it came to casting "hired muscle", the film wanted mainly "Australian, Italian and...
- 2/21/2013
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
• Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings) has signed on to star in Lana and Andy Wachowski’s next film, Jupiter Ascending as “a Han Solo-type.” The English actor will join Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, and Eddie Redmayne in the film, reportedly about galaxies, a bounty hunter, a toilet-scrubbing Russian immigrant (Kunis), and DNA. [Deadline]
• Paul Walker (The Fast and the Furious) has been tapped to star as the cloned super-assassin Agent 47 in a reboot of 2007′s Hitman. Skip Woods, who wrote the screenplay for Hitman (based on the video game), will be responsible for writing this film as well.
• Paul Walker (The Fast and the Furious) has been tapped to star as the cloned super-assassin Agent 47 in a reboot of 2007′s Hitman. Skip Woods, who wrote the screenplay for Hitman (based on the video game), will be responsible for writing this film as well.
- 2/6/2013
- by Lindsey Bahr
- EW - Inside Movies
Julius Avery’s Son of a Gun begins shooting late February
Principal photography will begin late February on Australian film-maker Julius Avery’s debut feature film Son of a Gun, starring Ewan McGregor.
The shoot will take place in Perth, Kalgoorlie and Melbourne.
Joining McGregor is Australian actor Brenton Thwaites, who recently finished production on Disney’s Maleficent alongside Angelina Jolie. Thwaites will play the protege to McGregor’s master criminal.
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander has been cast in the role of Tasha. Vikander was recently seen in Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina.
Australian actor Jacek Koman, previously in Romulus My Father, will play crime boss Sam.
Avery said of the cast: “Combining the exceptional calibre of Australian actors with award winning international talent is going to be a privilege.”
Avery wrote the script with script editor John Collee. Timothy White, producer of Two Hands is producing through Southern Light...
Principal photography will begin late February on Australian film-maker Julius Avery’s debut feature film Son of a Gun, starring Ewan McGregor.
The shoot will take place in Perth, Kalgoorlie and Melbourne.
Joining McGregor is Australian actor Brenton Thwaites, who recently finished production on Disney’s Maleficent alongside Angelina Jolie. Thwaites will play the protege to McGregor’s master criminal.
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander has been cast in the role of Tasha. Vikander was recently seen in Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina.
Australian actor Jacek Koman, previously in Romulus My Father, will play crime boss Sam.
Avery said of the cast: “Combining the exceptional calibre of Australian actors with award winning international talent is going to be a privilege.”
Avery wrote the script with script editor John Collee. Timothy White, producer of Two Hands is producing through Southern Light...
- 2/6/2013
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Brenton Thwaites, Alicia Vikander and Jacek Koman have joined the cast of Australian thriller Son of a Gun, which begins shooting in Western Australia at the end of February.
The film marks the debut feature of acclaimed short filmmaker Julius Avery and centres on the relationship between a master criminal (Ewan McGregor) and his young protégé (Thwaites). Thwaites previously starred in Blue Lagoon: The Awakening and recently completed production on Maleficent with Angelina Jolie.
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, a BAFTA rising star nominee, recently appeared opposite Keira Knightley and Jude Law in Anna Karenina and in Danish film A Royal Affair. She will be seen next in The Seventh Son with Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges.
Jacek Koman was nominated for an Aacta Award in 2010 for his performance in TV series Spirited, and has also appeared in films such as Romulus My Father, Children of Men, and The Hunter. He...
The film marks the debut feature of acclaimed short filmmaker Julius Avery and centres on the relationship between a master criminal (Ewan McGregor) and his young protégé (Thwaites). Thwaites previously starred in Blue Lagoon: The Awakening and recently completed production on Maleficent with Angelina Jolie.
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, a BAFTA rising star nominee, recently appeared opposite Keira Knightley and Jude Law in Anna Karenina and in Danish film A Royal Affair. She will be seen next in The Seventh Son with Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges.
Jacek Koman was nominated for an Aacta Award in 2010 for his performance in TV series Spirited, and has also appeared in films such as Romulus My Father, Children of Men, and The Hunter. He...
- 2/5/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
From horror to doco, Colin Delaney speaks to five film-makers about their feature length debut.
Director Kevin Smith famously funded his first film, Clerks, by selling off his prized comic book collection. Pedro Almodovar’s first foray into features was so technically flawed, he reportedly put it down to personal style. And finishing Hard Eight was a baptism of fire, according to Paul Thomas Anderson, who has been quoted as saying: “I learned all the lessons I needed to learn on the first film about protecting myself and how to keep a lock on the editing room door.” Such are the trials and trade offs of film-makers when it comes to making their first feature.
The reality, according to Screen Australia, is that between 1970 and 2011, approximately 70 per cent of first-time producers, directors and writers didn’t go on to make a second film. Martha Coleman, head of development at Screen Australia,...
Director Kevin Smith famously funded his first film, Clerks, by selling off his prized comic book collection. Pedro Almodovar’s first foray into features was so technically flawed, he reportedly put it down to personal style. And finishing Hard Eight was a baptism of fire, according to Paul Thomas Anderson, who has been quoted as saying: “I learned all the lessons I needed to learn on the first film about protecting myself and how to keep a lock on the editing room door.” Such are the trials and trade offs of film-makers when it comes to making their first feature.
The reality, according to Screen Australia, is that between 1970 and 2011, approximately 70 per cent of first-time producers, directors and writers didn’t go on to make a second film. Martha Coleman, head of development at Screen Australia,...
- 12/19/2012
- by Luke
- Encore Magazine
Actor/director Leah Purcell added to writing team for Redfern Now series two
Screen Australia is to fund a second series of gritty indigenous drama Redfern Now as part of a $5.5m funding round.
The public funding body has also announced that it is to invest in feature films Son of a Gun - by Julius Avery and starring Ewan McGregor – and My Mistress, to be produced Leanne Tonkes, directed Stephen Lance and written by Gerard Lee.
Joining Redfern Now’s writing team of last year; Jon Bell, Steven McGregor and Adrian Wills, is first series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell.
The series, made up of six standalone episodes, is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films. Redfern Now debuted on ABC1 on Thursday 1 November rating 721,000.
Jimmy McGovern, creator of the UK’s Cracker and The Street will again lead the development process of the series.
Screen Australia is to fund a second series of gritty indigenous drama Redfern Now as part of a $5.5m funding round.
The public funding body has also announced that it is to invest in feature films Son of a Gun - by Julius Avery and starring Ewan McGregor – and My Mistress, to be produced Leanne Tonkes, directed Stephen Lance and written by Gerard Lee.
Joining Redfern Now’s writing team of last year; Jon Bell, Steven McGregor and Adrian Wills, is first series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell.
The series, made up of six standalone episodes, is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films. Redfern Now debuted on ABC1 on Thursday 1 November rating 721,000.
Jimmy McGovern, creator of the UK’s Cracker and The Street will again lead the development process of the series.
- 11/12/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has invested almost $5.5 million in two feature films, My Mistress and Son of a Gun, as well as a second series of indigenous TV program Redfern Now.
The second, six-part series of Redfern Now will once again tell the stories of six indigenous families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. Acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker) will take Redfern Now writers Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills and Jon Bell, as well as new writers Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell, through an intense development process. The series will be produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
.Redfern Now is one of several partnerships between ABC TV and Screen Australia.s Indigenous department and I.m very proud of the work we.re achieving together,. said Screen Australia.s chief executive Ruth Harley in a statement. .This is compelling television drama at its very best,...
The second, six-part series of Redfern Now will once again tell the stories of six indigenous families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. Acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker) will take Redfern Now writers Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills and Jon Bell, as well as new writers Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell, through an intense development process. The series will be produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
.Redfern Now is one of several partnerships between ABC TV and Screen Australia.s Indigenous department and I.m very proud of the work we.re achieving together,. said Screen Australia.s chief executive Ruth Harley in a statement. .This is compelling television drama at its very best,...
- 11/12/2012
- by Staff Reporter
- IF.com.au
Trainspotting and Star Wars star Ewan McGregor has been cast in a new Australian thriller Son of a Gun, to be directed by first time feature film-maker Julius Avery.
The film is a heist thriller, written and directed by Avery, with McGregor set to play a master criminal, who takes on an apprentice.
Avery previously won the Jury Prize at Cannes International Film Festival and a Best Short Film award at the AFIs for his 2008 film Jerrycan.
Avery told Encore: “I’d always had Ewan up there in my top of the list and it just so happened, my agent in the Us reps Ewan, and he put us together. Ewan read the script and connected with it and we had a good chat and felt he was right for the role.”
Avery also wrote Yardbird, directed by Good Oil’s Michael Spiccia, which screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The film is a heist thriller, written and directed by Avery, with McGregor set to play a master criminal, who takes on an apprentice.
Avery previously won the Jury Prize at Cannes International Film Festival and a Best Short Film award at the AFIs for his 2008 film Jerrycan.
Avery told Encore: “I’d always had Ewan up there in my top of the list and it just so happened, my agent in the Us reps Ewan, and he put us together. Ewan read the script and connected with it and we had a good chat and felt he was right for the role.”
Avery also wrote Yardbird, directed by Good Oil’s Michael Spiccia, which screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
- 10/15/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Actor Ewan McGregor will appear in crime thriller Son of a Gun, which is set to shoot in Western Australia in early-2013.
The film, which will mark the feature debut for writer-director Julius Avery, is about a seasoned armed robber who takes a small-time thief under his wing - the two then orchestrate an ambitious heist. McGregor will play the experienced thief.
Avery's 2008 short film Jerrycan previously won the Jury Prize at Cannes and the Australian Film Institute award for Best Short Film.
The Wa state government (through ScreenWest and Lotterywest) has invested in the film, which is being produced by Timothy White (The Boys are Back).
Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the local film and TV industry was buzzing after recent production including Tim Winton.s The Turning, An Accidental Soldier and These Final Hours.
.This latest news that the star of Star Wars, Trainspotting and Moulin Rouge,...
The film, which will mark the feature debut for writer-director Julius Avery, is about a seasoned armed robber who takes a small-time thief under his wing - the two then orchestrate an ambitious heist. McGregor will play the experienced thief.
Avery's 2008 short film Jerrycan previously won the Jury Prize at Cannes and the Australian Film Institute award for Best Short Film.
The Wa state government (through ScreenWest and Lotterywest) has invested in the film, which is being produced by Timothy White (The Boys are Back).
Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the local film and TV industry was buzzing after recent production including Tim Winton.s The Turning, An Accidental Soldier and These Final Hours.
.This latest news that the star of Star Wars, Trainspotting and Moulin Rouge,...
- 10/15/2012
- by Staff Reporter
- IF.com.au
The last time Ewan McGregor agreed to mentor a young protégé on screen, he gave birth to Darth Vader . arguably the meanest villain in silver-screen history. He.ll try to mentor yet another .kid. in an upcoming film, but it.s more of a heist than a sci-fi prequel, so our galaxy should be safe (for the time being). McGregor has agreed to star in Son of a Gun, an Australian indie that casts the one-time Jedi as a veteran criminal . Public Enemy No. 1 for the Land Down Under . who takes a younger criminal under his wing. Variety says that Gun will mark the directorial debut of Julius Avery, who earned recognition for his short film Jerrycan, a Jury Prize winner at the Cannes Film Festival. The trade says that Gun will film in various Australian locations . including Perth and Kalgoorlie . in early 2013. If it sounds odd for McGregor...
- 10/12/2012
- cinemablend.com
Austrailan heist thriller? Sure, why not, Ewan McGregor can handle it! And, ok, maybe he’s still busy working on that August: Osage County project (together with Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, can you blame him?), but right after he finishes that one, he will jump in another cool project, titled Son Of A Gun!
At this moment we know that this movie will center on the complex relationship between Australia’s public enemy number one, played by McGregor, and his young protege. Still no words on who will play that young protege, but as usual – we’ll keep an eye on it.
Son Of A Gun marks the feature debut of Julius Avery, who is responsible for the script as well. In case his name means nothing to you, let me just remind you that his 2008 short Jerrycan had a lot of success at the Cannes Film Festival, while...
At this moment we know that this movie will center on the complex relationship between Australia’s public enemy number one, played by McGregor, and his young protege. Still no words on who will play that young protege, but as usual – we’ll keep an eye on it.
Son Of A Gun marks the feature debut of Julius Avery, who is responsible for the script as well. In case his name means nothing to you, let me just remind you that his 2008 short Jerrycan had a lot of success at the Cannes Film Festival, while...
- 10/12/2012
- by Jeanne Standal
- Filmofilia
It's a special moment for any filmmaker to find out that one of his movies has made it to the Cannes Film Festival, but for Australian filmmaker, Michael Spiccia, the moment was even more unexpected when his short "Yardbird," was selected as part of the official selection. Not only was this his first time at Cannes, this is also his first film.Made with filmmaker Julius Avery, who wrote the script and was at Cannes in 2008 with his film "Jerrycan," the pair made waves on the French Riviera one production meeting at a time.Back Stage sat down with the two filmmakers to talk about the film and casting.What is the film about?Michael Spiccia: The film is about essentially a small girl who takes on the town bullies that come to torment her dad.Julius Avery: Michael and I got together, and we spent a lot...
- 5/30/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Emily Cegielski)
- backstage.com
When official word came through that the 13-minute Aussie short Yardbird was in competition at Cannes, director Michael Spiccia had just stepped off a plane in Los Angeles ready for a series of meetings to do with his real job: directing commercials.
Producer Jessica Mitchell finally got in touch with him after two hours of trying at 4am La time. Earlier she had gone through an hour of nail-biting while she played phone tag with Cannes representative Christian Jeune.
Spiccia is known in the commercials world for his visually potent work. Yardbird is his first drama and also Mitchell.s first film as a sole producer.
.A lot of people nurtured us through the making of this film,. said Mitchell, naming many of the heads of department that worked on the film. She said that 10 films were chosen from more than 4,500 considered.
Yardbird is the story of a young girl...
Producer Jessica Mitchell finally got in touch with him after two hours of trying at 4am La time. Earlier she had gone through an hour of nail-biting while she played phone tag with Cannes representative Christian Jeune.
Spiccia is known in the commercials world for his visually potent work. Yardbird is his first drama and also Mitchell.s first film as a sole producer.
.A lot of people nurtured us through the making of this film,. said Mitchell, naming many of the heads of department that worked on the film. She said that 10 films were chosen from more than 4,500 considered.
Yardbird is the story of a young girl...
- 4/18/2012
- by Sandy George
- IF.com.au
A short film directed by Australian commercials director Michael Spiccia has been selected for the Cannes Film Festival.
Yardbird, produced by Jessica Mitchell and written by Julius Avery, is the story of a young girl who takes on bullies that torment her father.
The film was produced by Buffalo Films and Bridle Path Films in association with Good Oil Films.
Spiccia said: “This is such a thrill and an absolute honour. I cannot wait to share this experience with my partners and fellow directors in Cannes.”
Spiccia directed Commonwealth Bank’s Centennial Tvc for Goodby, Silverstein & Partners as well as Crown Lager’s ‘time’ ad for Droga5.
Avery also wrote and directed short film Jerrycan which won the Cannes Jury Prize in 2008.
Yardbird, produced by Jessica Mitchell and written by Julius Avery, is the story of a young girl who takes on bullies that torment her father.
The film was produced by Buffalo Films and Bridle Path Films in association with Good Oil Films.
Spiccia said: “This is such a thrill and an absolute honour. I cannot wait to share this experience with my partners and fellow directors in Cannes.”
Spiccia directed Commonwealth Bank’s Centennial Tvc for Goodby, Silverstein & Partners as well as Crown Lager’s ‘time’ ad for Droga5.
Avery also wrote and directed short film Jerrycan which won the Cannes Jury Prize in 2008.
- 4/18/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has awarded producers Aidan O’Bryan and Stuart Parkyn six month internships in New York.
O’Bryan and Parkyn will be working in the development and production departments of Belladonna and Killer Films respectively. Both will receive $60,000 from Screen Australia.
Aidan O’Bryan’s first feature film Wasted on the Young is currently screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Young has also been selected to show at the Pusan International Film festival in Korea next month.
Stuart Parkyn is known for his short films – Academy Award nominated The Saviour and Canne Jury Prize winner Jerrycan.
Martha Coleman, head of development at Screen Australia said: ” “We are so thrilled at the selection of Aidan and Stuart from a very high standard of applicants. Exposure at this time to the independent film scene in New York, under the guidance of Rene Bastian at Belladonna and David Kaplan at Killer Films,...
O’Bryan and Parkyn will be working in the development and production departments of Belladonna and Killer Films respectively. Both will receive $60,000 from Screen Australia.
Aidan O’Bryan’s first feature film Wasted on the Young is currently screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Young has also been selected to show at the Pusan International Film festival in Korea next month.
Stuart Parkyn is known for his short films – Academy Award nominated The Saviour and Canne Jury Prize winner Jerrycan.
Martha Coleman, head of development at Screen Australia said: ” “We are so thrilled at the selection of Aidan and Stuart from a very high standard of applicants. Exposure at this time to the independent film scene in New York, under the guidance of Rene Bastian at Belladonna and David Kaplan at Killer Films,...
- 9/15/2010
- by georginap
- Encore Magazine
While Bondi Beach is normally crowded with tourists and surfers hoping to catch good waves, this year's Bondi Short Film Festival had film buffs flocking to Bondi Pavilion to catch 14 exciting short films, chosen as finalists from over 250 submitted. While the screening of these films was highly anticipated by the audience (with the festival sold out before the night), it was the announcement of the festival's winners for overall Best Film, Best Music, Best Actor, Best Design, Best Cinematography and Best Script, that had the audience and filmmakers anxious. Winning awards for both Best Film and Best Cinematography was Julius Avery's Jerrycan - a Cannes Jury Prize winning film that explores the nature of childhood bullying and relationships through the story of a young boy living in a sleepy country town who kicks about with mates and enemies alike.
- 11/30/2009
- FilmInk.com.au
Julius Avery's short film Jerrycan has become a rare gem, having blitzed Cannes and now the Sundance Film Festival, where it was awarded an Honourable Mention late last week. Local filmmaker Avery, who wrote and directed the film, was present at the ceremony last week in Utah to accept the award. "I wrote a script based on my childhood," Avery says, "and I wanted to write an honest portrayal of that part of my life. It had to be real, so I used real kids from the country town of Clunes. When you're fourteen, you either stand up for what you want in your life or you back off and go under the radar.
- 1/28/2009
- FilmInk.com.au
Chicago – The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Awards were announced on Saturday, January 24th, 2009 and Lee Daniels’ examination of parental abuse and self-redemption in Harlem in the 1980s, “Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire,” won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award in the U.S. dramatic competition.
“Push” tells the story of an embattled teenageer living in 1980s Harlem.
Photo credit: Sundance/Variety “We Live in Public” won the Grand Jury Prize for documentary. The Chilean film “The Maid” by Sebastian Silva, won the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema. The audience award in World Cinema went to “An Education” by Lone Scherfig. The film recounts a 16-year-old girl’s adventures in early ’60s London.
Other winning documentaries besides Ondi Timoner’s look at Internet pioneer Josh Harris were “Rough Aunties” by Kim Longinotto, which won the World Cinema docu grand jury prize. The doc focuses on...
“Push” tells the story of an embattled teenageer living in 1980s Harlem.
Photo credit: Sundance/Variety “We Live in Public” won the Grand Jury Prize for documentary. The Chilean film “The Maid” by Sebastian Silva, won the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema. The audience award in World Cinema went to “An Education” by Lone Scherfig. The film recounts a 16-year-old girl’s adventures in early ’60s London.
Other winning documentaries besides Ondi Timoner’s look at Internet pioneer Josh Harris were “Rough Aunties” by Kim Longinotto, which won the World Cinema docu grand jury prize. The doc focuses on...
- 1/26/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
"Push," Lee Daniels' adaptation of performance poet Sapphire's novel about an abused, illiterate teenager struggling to break free from her hellish homelife in Harlem, was the big winner at this year's Sundance Film Festival, picking up both the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award, with star Mo'Nique earning a Special Jury Prize for Acting. Ondi Timoner's film about dot-com golden boy Josh Harris "We Live in Public" snagged the Documentary Grand Jury Prize, while in the World category, Kim Longinotto's "Rough Aunties" and Sebastián Silva's "The Maid" were given awards. The complete list of awards follows:
The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to "We Live in Public," directed by Ondi Timoner. The film portrays the story of the Internet's revolutionary impact on human interaction as told through the eyes of maverick web pioneer, Josh Harris, and his transgressive art project that shocked New York.
The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to "We Live in Public," directed by Ondi Timoner. The film portrays the story of the Internet's revolutionary impact on human interaction as told through the eyes of maverick web pioneer, Josh Harris, and his transgressive art project that shocked New York.
- 1/25/2009
- by Alison Willmore
- ifc.com
The 61st Annual Cannes Film Festival wrapped this past Sunday, having been the scene of big Hollywood premieres like "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and smaller but no less anticipated ones from filmmakers like the Dardenne brothers, Arnaud Desplechin and Atom Egoyan. In the end, it was a French film that won the Palme d'Or . the first homegrown feature to take the top prize since 1987's "Under Satan's Sun." The film, a late entry in the competition, was directed by Laurent Cantet, whose past work includes "Time Out" and "Heading South," and follows a year in the life of a teacher in an inner city Parisian school. Opening remarks from jury Sean Penn, who told the press that "We are going to feel very confident that the filmmaker of [the winning film] was very aware of the times within which he (or she) lives," had many guessing that one...
- 5/27/2008
- by Alison Willmore
- ifc.com
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