The film adaptation of Georgia Blain’s novel, Closed For Winter is also pulling its own at the box office, primarily due to casting international pop icon, Natalie Imbruglia as the leading lady. Although the film itself it didn’t get the best reviews, Imbruglia’s huge UK fanbase gives the Aussie-made production some much-needed exposure in the UK.

And of course Eric Bana’s documentary Love the Beast earned international recognition back in March, most likely due to other big names (Jay Leno, Dr. Phil) in the cast.

Nonetheless, the Australian film industry is having a good run and we suspect there are a few more good’uns to come in the next two months. Here they are:

Samson and Delilah

Director: Warwick Thornton
Starring: Rowan McNamara, Marissa Gibson, Mitjili Napanangka Gibson
In Cinemas: 7 May 2009
Synopsis: Tragedy strikes for young Samson (Rowan McNamara) and Delilah (Marissa Gibson) in their isolated Central Australian desert home. Forced to leave, they embark on a journey of survival where they learn that life isn’t always fair but love is never lost.
Random Tidbit: Samson and Delilah won the Audience Award at the Adelaide International Film Festival in March.

My Year Without Sex

Director: Sarah Watt
Starring: Sacha Horler, Matt Day, Jonathan Segat, Portia Bradley
In Cinemas: 28 May 2009
Synopsis: A comedic look at a family faced with all kinds of problems big and small. Over the course of a single year, parents Ross (Matt Day) and Natalie (Sacha Horler) are faced with not only the trials and tribulations of raising their two kids, but job insecurity, faith, nits, Christmas, footy practice, and whether they’ll ever have sex again.
Random Tidbit: Matt Day starred as Brice in the 1994 iconic Aussie film, Muriel’s Wedding.

Belladonna

Director: Annika Glac
Starring: Todd MacDonald, Kate Kendall, Katie-Jean Harding, Katia Mazurek, Daryl Pellizzer
In Cinemas: 1 June 2009
Synopsis: On the surface, everything is perfect between Luke (Todd MacDonald) and his fiancé, Katherine (Kate Kendall). However, as the wedding date closes in, Luke begins to become plagued by nightmares that throw his waking life into chaos. After a few sessions with a hypnotherapist, Luke learns his subconscious mind is consumed with a mysterious world of forests, witches and fire. In his nightmares he attempts to reach out to Katherine but she is deaf to his pleas. In the midst of the turmoil, a woman named Amelia steps into Luke’s surgery and something deep within him unravels.
Random Tidbit: Belladonna was filmed in both Poland and Australia.

I Wish I Were Stephanie V

Director: Jon Cohen
Starring: Chloe Traicos, Jill McKay, Clayton Watson, Dani Crane
In Cinemas: 25 June 2009
Synopsis: In a nutshell, Helen Andritis (Chloe Traicos) is tennis obsessed, Greek, and almost 21. Although Helen dreams of being an international tennis champion, her traditional Greek grandmother (Jill McKay) has other plans for her that include matchmaking Helen with a young Greek man (Clayton Watson) before her all-important 21st birthday. Helen fantasises about looking like her Eurasian model classmate, Stephanie V (Dani Crane) who seems so happy and carefree compared to Helen and her dramas.
Random Tidbit: Supporting actress Bree Desborough who plays Angela Matthews is a recognisable Aussie TV actress from shows such as All Saints, Always Greener, Home and Away and Water Rats.

Ivan Bana gave his 15-year-old son Eric a second hand Ford GT Falcon Coupe, which Eric has treasured and cared forever since.

The warm-hearted documentary chronicles the actor’s 25-year love affair with his car, including how it was an icon for him and his mates during their schooldays.

Structured around footage of Eric and his friends on the 2007 Tasmanian Targa Rally – which ended with grief and shock when Bana wiped out the car – the film includes appearances and interviews with Top Gear aficionado Jeremy Clarkson, fellow car-collector Jay Leno and contemporary life guru Dr. Phil (who we could have gone without).

Love the Beast is a rev-head’s delight, documenting a relationship with a car that is both entertaining and unavoidably indulgent. Overall, the documentary is good-hearted, sincere and paints an insightful picture into one man’s love affair with his vehicle.

The film features a number of international stars, including Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson, US talk show host Jay Leno, TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw and many more of his lesser-known friends.

Love the Beast earned AU $309 000 from 59 screens this week.

Source: MPDAA