LagrangePoint - Brad Howarth

Inside Film #103 - Gabriel

The latest edition of Inside Film is out now, with Andrew Dominik on the cover and my feature on the new Australian fantasy genre flick Gabriel inside. The content isn't available online, but if you want to read about how director Shane Abbess and producer Kristy Vernon put together a slick-looking production on next to no budget, you can read the uncorrected draft version here: Download gabriel_draft.rtf

Inside Film - Shekhar Kapur: Animation in flight

A few weeks back I interviewed the director Shekhar Kapur, director of the historical drama Elizabeth and its soon to be released sequel, The Golden Age (both featuring Australian actors Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush). That interview has now found its way into the September edition of Inside Film magazine. I might be able to post up the story later (unfortunately its not linked from the website), but for now the magazine is available from all good Australian newsagents ...

Shekar was also a co-creator (along with author Deepak Chopra and maverick entrepreneur Richard Branson) in the Indian-based businesses Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation. It was interesting to talk to him about his thoughts on Eastern mythology and how it impacts his film making, as well as his thoughts on the development of electronic media and the new opportunities that is creating for story-telling.

Gabriel - Far from Australia

Met up today with Shane Abbess and Kristy Vernon, the director and producer respectively of the forthcoming Australian film Gabriel. The film, which is due for release on November 15, is unusual for an Australian film in that it really doesn't look like an Australian film. There is no quirky family, no teenage coming-of-age struggle, and no police or nurses to be seen. Instead the film blends elements of Biblical mythology and the feel of films like Constantine, The Matrix and The Crow to create a dark and brooding feature that could really have been made anywhere - but most likely in the US. And despite being made on a shoestring budget with a group of actors who are mostly unknown (at least outside of Australia), it boasts effects and a visual styling that easily matches many bigger budget films (if not always on the same grand scale).

Having spoken to Shane and Kristy today it was striking to hear how keen they were to create the sort of film that just isn't made here - a globally-oriented genre flick. Gabriel follows the course of the arc angel of the same name, sent to Purgatory to purge the Fallen who have taken control and driven out the Light. The narrative runs something like a Gothic Western, and while the accents (at least in the version I watched) were a little strange at times, there is little to give away the film's origins.

Anyway, you can check out the official trailer here, or make up your own mind when it hits cinemas on November 15. For rest of the interview with Shane and Kristy, check out my article in the upcoming October edition of Inside Film magazine.

Global Warming sweeps People's Choice awards

A few days back I wrote about Chris Simon's global warming themed mobile clips and how they were performing in the Sydney Film Festival's People's Choice awards. It's great then to see that his clip Snow took out the award this weekend. With rumours of a made-for-mobile movie starring Australian actor Hugo Weaving, and possible involvement in the global Live Earth concerts, it will be interesting to see where Chris takes this. For the full release, click here: Download global_warming_sweeps_peoples_choice_awards.rtf