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FOXY AUSTRALIA: AN OBSERVATIONWell dear readers, I urge you to mark down on your calendars the date of November 8th, 1999, for that day may very well mark the end of the Australian film industry as we know it.....or perhaps (and I pray), a new beginning. That day of course heralded the opening of Sydney's Fox Studios, the state of the art complex which could either turn this country into the Canada or Mexico of the South or revive an ailing and directionless film making community. It is far too early to make a prediction yet, but I fear the former scenario may eventuate.
It has become perfectly clear that for the local film industry to survive, let alone thrive into the new millennium that the prime focus of our films MUST be their Australian content and appeal to Aussie audiences. Government funding must be increased from its current trickle and a more professional approach not only to production, but to distribution and exhibition has to be taken. There is no doubt that the Fox studios will provide plenty of work for local actors and crews, but if the accents are American then all does not bode well. A cultural identity is at stake here, and it is imperative that Australian ideas, voices and stories are seen and heard. Let's not fool ourselves into believing that "Hollywood On The Harbour" will be anymore than just that.
Now that I have got my cynicism out of the way, let's take a look at Sydney's "Night Of Nights" and especially the small part Cate played in it. From the vantage point of the couch in front of the television we here in Oz were fortunate to have an hour devoted to the coverage of the arrival of the stars as they exited their limos and walked the red shagpile through the adoring crowds. And there were plenty of names there too. Tom and Nicole, John Leguizamo and Ewan McGregor (both here for the filming of "Moulin Rouge" alongside Nicole) and Charlie Sheen were among the international talent present. Of the locals, Cate's frequent stage and screen co-star Richard Roxburgh, Sam Neill (both displaying thinly veiled distaste at the excess of the evening), Garry Macdonald, Bill Hunter and Jack Thompson were just some of the throng which also included seemingly every soapie hunk and starlet and several sporting heroes. I spied several past (and the present) Prime Ministers there for the show too.
The highlight of the preshow was definitely Cate. As she arrived she was greeted by Craig Maclachlan (in reporter mode) and she told him that she was only here for a quick visit, after a presenting gig at the AFI's next week she jets out of the country and back to the grind of filming. Most importantly she stressed that although she was excited by the possibilities of the Fox Studios she was concerned for the local industry, especially for the "small" and low budget films that are made here and urged Prime Minister John Howard to ensure their future.
Once again Cate's wardrobe was full of surprises. On Sunday night she delved into the house of Armani and wore a low cut black jacket with a small, glittering choker around her neck. Her hair was styled into a low set perm with ringlets dangling down over either side. I must admit that as one who was expecting the "glamorous" Cate, this more sombre, conservative look came as something of a surprise. Her natural beauty and patented glow shone through as only it can on the Cate we know and love.
A charming moment occurred just before she entered the studio complex. As her name was announced, the crowd cheered wildly and she hunched her shoulders slightly and with eyes wide beamed a beautiful, humble smile. Seeing that moment was certainly the highlight for me. In fact, for one of the interviewers, Briton Tania Bryer, thought Cate was the highlight too, apparently the public star spotters loved her and she was very gracious in taking time out to speak with them.
Let's go on with the show. I don't think it is necessary to run through each of the individual acts, except to say that the sight of Australian entertainers performing Hollywood musical numbers was a cringeworthy experience. Kylie Minouge doing "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend"? No thank you. (Although it was better than expected). Here was a night which apparently was given a worldwide telecast that provided an ideal opportunity for our local talent to shine. Using faux American accents and trying to imitate a style of show that only Americans can excel at was bound to fail and was, at times, downright embarrassing. Having said that, host Hugh Jackman did his hopes for international stardom no harm at all with a polished, yet laconic job of hosting the night and his musical numbers were the night's best moments. He performed a couple of songs from Oklahoma! (In which he'd starred on the English stage) including a duet with the film's star, Shirley Jones.
Sadly we didn't get to hear Cate sing, she appeared about halfway through to co-present a visual tribute to Australian film. For those with a fondness for our actresses, it should have been a moment to savour as her co-presenter was Nicole Kidman (who looked absolutely stunning!). However, in my opinion, the teaming was wasted. Although their chemistry was very apparent (giggling and smirking at each other), their time together was short as they mouthed a few cliched lines about our Australian cinema, its history, quality and essence. Although Nicole stuttered at times and appeared a little under-rehearsed, Cate was the consummate professional - her diction and delivery both truthful and relaxed, making the scripted lines appear worthier than what they were. The visual tribute was astonishingly bland, a hodge-podge of clips thrown together with little rhyme or reason and the accompanying score (specially composed) vanished quickly from the memory.
The night finished with C3PO and R2D2 declaring the studios officially open and exchanging some flat one-liners with a suitably uncomfortable Rupert Murdoch. I have to say that the whole production disappointed me greatly - from the sycophantic Americanised content to the lack of a producer with vision. Mind you, that was no great shock. The killer though was the bringing together of two of Australia's finest actresses and giving them so little to do. An opportunity wasted and some high hopes crushed. Although it may be some time before Cate and Nicole share the same stage again we can look forward to this weekend when Cate appears at the AFI awards. I am sure that her presence will be utilised to far greater effect. Roll on Saturday!.....
Deano B. Aussie Cate Blanchett News. November 9, 1999.
Video capture courtesy of Lillie D.