Hugh Jackman hosting the Tony Awards was just the latest in a long line of triumphs for famed Australians. It wasn't always that way. Into the seventies Australian cinema was still fond of dragging in a grizzled Hollywood veteran to star when Jack Thompson was busy on another picture. Michael Pate was finding work in Hollywood - as an 'Indian Chief'.
The only way to get any standing was to achieve success. And this our directors and actors have continued to do throughout. We now have a few Oscars under our belt and moguls demanding our players for starring roles and attendant perks. Heady times.
The good thing (in my eyes) is that this is well deserved. It is always possible to become popular through pedestrian or downright cynical means. The pop charts have consistently reflected this since as long as I can remember. But, while this country has its fair share of creative misfires and cheap and forgettable drek, Australian filmmaking, for the main, has just enough of the 'hard yards' to traverse to keep it fresh and honest.
Posted by berko_wills
at 12:33 AM NZT
Updated: Sunday, 22 June 2003 7:53 PM NZT
