Here’s the real reason we need a new Crocodile Dundee

WE NOW know that the Crocodile Dundee remake is a clever ad campaign - but it’s actually much more than that as well. There is another reason why revisiting it is a ripper idea.

COMMENT

YOU have to hand it to the brains behind the cheeky ‘reboot’ of Crocodile Dundee.

Americans had the rug pulled out from under them during the Super Bowl when what was billed as a trailer for a new version of the classic Aussie films turned out to be an ad for Tourism Australia.

The federal government agency will pay a record estimated $36 million for the campaign over two years and, while that might seem like a big price tag, the stunt has attracted enourmous valuable free news coverage in the US.

It has even inspired the NT News to launch a petition calling for filmmakers to follow through on the campaign’s promise and shoot a new Dundee flick in the Territory.

It’s an idea with a lot of merit — mostly because it’s high time the Yanks were given an updated view on their mates Down Under.

Having lived in the States for the past 12 months, I know Americans have a great deal of affection for us. They view Australians as fun, friendly, the life of the party. And that view is largely informed by the loveable larrikin Paul Hogan played in the movies.

Mick Dundee himself (Paul Hogan) shows up in the Super Bowl ad.

But, it’s fair to say the Americans have some gaps in their knowledge of our country. The mythology of our vast outback means they don’t know Aussies are much more likely to be latte-sipping city dwellers than outback cattle wranglers. As one of the most urbanised populations in the world, we boast cities that offer world-class food, art and culture.

They know we have beautiful beaches, but gladly continue to sip on Californian wine when they could be enjoying a far superior drop from the Barossa or Yarra Valley.

They know about our beautiful Bridge and Opera House, but perhaps most shameful is their lack of knowledge about our proud indigenous culture, which stretches back at least 40,000 years. I once met an American who had no idea the Aboriginal people even existed.

In short, Australia has a great, modern story to tell, as well as the old version, and a new Croc Dundee film might be the best way to convince more Americans to take the 15-hour flight and experience it for themselves.

The original 1986 film, which was shot for $8 million in Kakadu and ended up bringing in more than $300 million in the box office, inspired a lucrative influx of US tourists throughout the decade. Between 1981 and 1988, Americans visiting Australia increased 20.5 per cent. Even to this day, “Crocodile Dundee” and “Kakadu” average 135,000 Google searches a month, according to Tourism NT.

But Australia has learnt a thing or two in the 30 years since that movie came out. We’re a sophisticated nation with cosmopolitan cities, untouched natural wonders, premium wine and — importantly — diverse people that go beyond the Dundee stereotype.

Crocodile Dundee went a long way towards setting USA’s impressions of Australia in concrete. But a new movie could be equally powerful in giving them a new impression that stretches beyond crocs, rocks and ocker blokes.

Because that’s not Australia. THIS is Australia.

Originally published as Here’s the real reason we need a new Crocodile Dundee