and they say Aussie Film making is dead.

You often hear it said that Aussie film making is dead or dieing and that there is no audience for them, can I just say that is rubbish.  Maybe the issue is not lack of audience, but a lack of access to screens which are clogged with big blockbusters that cost way too much, lack a decent story and leave you feeling like you have wasted another hour, but because the distributor has paid a small fortune for it, its locked into as many screens as possible to recoup funds. This leaves us, the audience, without access to some decent Aussie film makers who are delivering outstanding screen experiences. 

Rachel Perkin's "Jasper Jones" based on Craig Silvery's best selling novel (which I have not read) is luckier than most, with the support of Madman Entertainment and ScreenWest, its getting the blockbuster treatment it deserves. Rachel, daughter of Charlie Perkins, well known Aboriginal activist, is first and foremost an Arrernte woman, from Central Australia, I think, (and its just my thinking based on what I have seen of Rachel's work,)this at the core of her skill at story telling, and bringing to life characters off a page in way that we can all understand and can be traced to a culture and people whose Songlines brought to life the environment around them and stories of ancestors  which go back to the dawn of time itself.  

Just looking at what she has been involved in demonstrates that depth - Radiance, Bran Nue Dae, Mabo,  First Australians and Redfern Now (which I consider one of the best Australian series) are all significant productions and award winners, and have provided a great platform for Australian artists but also to talk about our nations real history and how it has treated its first people.  

In an interview for Australian Screen she gives us a clue about the underlying imperative of her story telling art 

"But I think, I’ve been brought up in my personal life and also through my sort of groundwork at CAAMA, to – to have a responsibility, you know, personal responsibility to make films or to use media as a vehicle to tell my people’s story and to create change, and, uh, that’s essentially what drives, to date, my work."

Rachel brings this skill and knowledge to the screen in this beautiful and hypnotic film. We are taken back to 1965 as though we have stepped into a time machine, through "mind lens" of Director,and author we are privileged to be inside Charlie Bucktin's head and to view the world from this perspective. The character and who he interacts with drives this mystery and his connection with Jasper Jones, and that is Rachel Perkins, her skill at story telling, so that becomes like a ballet, seamless and engaging from start to end. She is able to tackle not only the underlying thread of racism but also other issues that this nation struggles with even today. 

Poster for the film Jasper Jones

"In the dead of night during the scorching summer of 1965, Charlie is startled when he is woken by local mixed-race outcast Jasper Jones outside his window. Jasper leads him deep into the forest and shows him something that will change his life forever, setting them both on a dangerous journey to solve a mystery that will consume the entire community. 

In an isolated town where secrecy, gossip and tragedy overwhelm the landscape, Charlie faces family breakdown, finds his first love, and discovers what it means be truly courageous. " Synopsis from Film Website. 

Rachel and Craig worked very closely on this production, in an interview that was screened prior to our screening yesterday at the preview at Griffith City Cinemas, she said that this is a novel everyone knows so well that to step too far away from the story or characters would not be viewed well by the audience, so having Craig involved from the start was essential.  Craig was on set virtually everyday, providing extra detail when required and was invaluable. Hugo Weaving who plays Mad Jack Lionel, added that he couldn't understand why more novelists were not brought into the productions, because of the value that he saw with Craig on set. 

By Hollywood standards, its a small production, but you would never know, I think in the same way that "The Legend of Ben Hall" was able to deliver big on quality story telling and experience on an even tighter budget, Rachel and her crew deliver here to.  Helped enormously by a great story, great location and a talented crew (in front of the camera lens and also behind) 

The south west of WA is beautiful and in this film it delivers in all its glory, the film was shot on location in and around Pemberton, traditional lands of the Bibbulmun nation. Its a small village of around 700 people and surrounded by the tallest trees in the world in the Karri forests.  

In front of the camera lens we have an ensemble cast who bring to us, the audience a believability that is truely rare, each shine.  From greats like Hugo Weaving and Toni Collette, who bring so much believability and vulnerability to the screen, and then its this cast of young Aussie actors who we are going to see a lot more of in the future.

 

Angourie Rice, as Eliza, Levi Miller as Charlie and Aaron McGrath as Jasper are brilliant . All have been in screen before, but I think this film showcases their talent.  As a 14 year, Levi is sensitive and unsure, you can see this on his face, in how he moves and in his voice, this is real and it makes his character so true.  Opposite him is Angourie, who is much more sure of herself and when she tells her story, you can sense the fear that sits behind it. Aaron's character holds within it an under current of racism and ostracism, he does an outstanding job in bringing all this too the fore, and through his eyes you see his emotions play out, in one scene towards the end of the film, the emotional connection between each of these young actors pressed every emotional button in me. 

For each of these central players this summer is brutal, it's not a fairy story and because of the novels success and how it readership own the story and characters there is a greater sense of this team doing their best.  

Mark Wareham as cinematographer has delivered an outstanding screen experience, this film looks beautiful, not only is the image sharp where it needs to be, but it also has a wonderful depth, giving it three dimensional qualities and the colour grading is also beautiful and brings out the warmth of summer. This is also complemented by the soundtrack from Antony Patris.  I always notice the soundtrack, I deliberately focus on it to see how it compliments a film and its story line.  This one is a little different, its not a collection of different themes and tracks cobbled together, but instead its like a continuous and spiralling waltz. Its hypnotic and pulls you into the screen and its story. 

Jasper Jones is an outstanding achievement in film, while Hollywood may well favour the blockbuster, there is a lot to be said about stories that are closer to home, and where the investment is made in story telling.  Thank you to both cast and crew of this film and especially to Rachel for continuing to bring about change through her work, your father would be immensely proud. The film opens on March 2nd 2017

Special thanks to Craig Tesler, Manager at Griffith City Cinemas for delivering another outstanding cinema experience.  You have a gift and depth of understanding around this creative genre that few do, and even though we may consider ourselves a long way from heart of cinema, I believe you bring us an experience that is second to none.