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Australian films set to reach 10-year high

Led by Mad Max: Fury Road, The Water Diviner and Paper Planes, Australian films collectively have raked in $44.8 million at cinemas this year and 2015 is on track to rank as the best for local cinema in the past 10 years.

B.O. receipts already have eclipsed the meagre 2014 calendar year total of $26.1 million (a market share of 2.43 per cent) and 2013's $38.5 million.

With Jeremy Sims' Last Cab to Darwin launching on Thursday after winning plaudits at the Sydney Film Festival and a slew of Aussie films set to open in the next few months, the total will overtake 2012’s $47.8 million and 2009’s $54.7 million, the latter the best result in the past 10 years.

The upcoming line-up includes Neil Armfield’s Holding the Man (August 27); Kriv Stenders' Kill Me Three Times (multi-platform release via eOne), Deane Taylor’s Blinky Bill the Movie, Tony Ayres’ Cut Snake and Stuart McDonald’s Oddball (September); and Joceyln Moorhouse’s The Dressmaker (October).

The Water Diviner and Paper Planes ensured a strong start to the year followed by a real sleeper in Damon Gameau’s That Sugar Film.

Despite some critical acclaim, Ruben Guthrie, Women He’s Undressed and Partisan did not resonate strongly and Manny Lewis was unloved.

The MPDAA’s $44.7 million tally does not include Strangerland, which had a limited theatrical release after its Sydney Film Festival premiere and grossed $100,000, according to Transmission.

The figure for Last Cab to Darwin is from festival screenings and previews.

Australian films scorecard here.

 

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  1. “Despite some critical acclaim, Ruben Guthrie, Women He’s Undressed and Partisan did not resonate strongly and Manny Lewis was unloved.” The moral of the story? Don’t make grossly unfunny comedies or depressing art-house movies.

  2. Not all film making is about massive box office. Documentaries are made to tell a story, to revisit history, to retell the lives of those in the past and also to discuss many current topics as well. ‘Women He’s Undressed’ has not only given us the chance to learn more about the genius of Orry-Kelly who only happened to win ‘3’ Academy Awards in his lifetime but also the very making of the film by Gillian Armstrong and Catherine Martin, has brought about the rediscovery of Orry-Kelly’s autobiography. Published now and in bookshops. This splendid film is NOT’ depressing art house’ to those who have viewed the film and to those who will see the film overseas and on DVD. Not everyone is a ‘mainstreamer’ and wants to view mindless regurgitated rubbish. Long may film makers create film for the ‘message’ or the ‘knowledge’

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