Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman accept new roles for AACTA
Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman have long been king and queen of Australian TV and film. Now, they have a new gig together.
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They have long been the king and queen of Aussie TV and film.
Now Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman have taken the lead roles as president and vice-president of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.
Ahead of the industry’s annual AACTA Awards gala on December 2, the star pairing were asked to serve after founding president Geoffrey Rush stepped down.
In confirming the best double act since US election winners, Biden Harris, Crowe told News Corp he planned to use his new position to lobby governments to support and invest in the local industry.
“I want to refocus our politicians of all persuasions on the power and reach of our local screen industry,” Crowe said.
“I’ll be working on encouraging the government to give Australian producers the fiscal tools they need to be globally competitive, while simultaneously fostering local talent and magnetising the industry to attract international productions.
“We need to grow our membership in every area of the industry and encourage people who work in film and television and people who love film and television to get involved with their Academy.”
On his ‘co-star’ Kidman, who is currently filming The Northman in County Donegal, Ireland, (on a break from her Byron Bay production of new TV drama, Nine Perfect Strangers), Crowe said he was “doubly honoured that Nicole is going to stand with me. I think we will make a good team,” adding, “she’s pretty hard to say no to”.
In an exclusive interview this week, Kidman — whose current thriller blockbuster The Undoing is a huge hit — said she was so proud to be working in Australia.
“It has been so wonderful to see people working, experiencing joy and relief at being able to have a job. Just being able to come back here, giving opportunities for work and discovering Byron Bay has been wonderful,” she said.
“It’s been such a difficult year and to be able to see people have the opportunity to work in this industry is so gratifying and important. I’m just happy to be in there contributing.
“I feel very grateful I’m in a position to be able to be able to get projects made.”
AACTA chief executive Damian Trewhella said Crowe and Kidman’s star power had long supported Australia’s screen body over its 10-year history.
“The support of Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman has been integral to AACTA’s growth over the last decade, helping us to achieve record industry and audience growth and engagement in Australia and internationally,” he said.
“Naturally tenacious and talented, Russell and Nicole have both received recognition from the world’s top screen bodies, with their first AFI Awards helping to launch their international careers — a path which AACTA is fostering for Australia’s next generation of talent, and which will benefit immensely from the support of our new Presidential team.
“We are buoyed by Russell’s vision to drive deeper unity within the Australian screen industry, including by developing AACTA’s membership potential and creating opportunities for more Australian-made productions.
“And we’re thrilled that both Nicole and Russell are committed to attracting international productions to Australia, creating new jobs and collaborations, including for our next generation of top talent.”
Stuart Ayres, NSW Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Minister, said the appointments were significant for the future of Australian screen industries.
“To have two of NSW’s most acclaimed performers, Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, lead the Academy into the future, there is no doubt that great things will be achieved in the realm of Australian screen in Sydney, the state and across Australia,” he said.
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Originally published as Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman accept new roles for AACTA
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