David Elliott: Sydney’s whos who vote for their favourite Aussie film of all time
After the Minns Government announced it would be investing $100 million into the NSW film industry, I spent the week asking the great and good of Sydney Town about their favourite Aussie movies, David Elliot writes.
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Starting the week with an announcement that the Minns Government would be investing $100 million into the NSW film industry was enthusiastically embraced by movie buffs across the state, and don’t we have some cracking flicks to celebrate! I spent the week asking the great and good of Sydney Town about their favourite Aussie movies. And the nominations are:
Mad Max
Now, regular readers of “The List” would be familiar with my impeccable contacts at the palace but I didn’t want to interrupt His Majesty for this week’s column so we deferred to his local franchise and our man in Government House advised that Governor Margaret Beazley may or may not be a huge fan of Mel Gibson’s first box office hit about a renegade cop who takes law enforcement into his own hands. I must say, I do wish I knew that she had a soft spot for wayward constables when I was police minister and she was the President of the Court of Appeal.
The Man from Snowy River
Nominated by Lady Elliott. Of course a woman who has spent the last 30 years living the life of a romance novel character would naturally feel drawn to the script of a beautiful young lass who falls in love with an adventurous, rugged, fortune hunter. Sound familiar? Based on the famous poem by celebrated Australian writer Banjo Patterson, this movie has it all. Stunning scenery, handsome men, jealous rivalries and at least one dysfunctional relative. No wonder Lady Elliott is so familiar with the plot.
Gallipoli
Nominated by Chris Minns, seconded by Fire and Rescue Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell. This one should be compulsory viewing and I reckon when the delightful Pru Car gets back to work in a few weeks we should be lobbying her to make it part of the NSW school syllabus. Tell me a movie that celebrates Australian “mateship” more than this Peter Weir classic? Having the Premier nominate a movie about military service and sacrifice, backed up with the fire power of Fewtrell (get it? “fire” power….see what I did there?) makes me a very proud old digger.
Crocodile Dundee
Nominated by Business Sydney boss Paul Nicolaou. It should come as no surprise that the nation’s leading business advocate chose the nation’s most profitable film. Nicoloau’s cheeky choice (remember THAT scene?) pretty much reflects the Australian business community. Adventurous, courageous and just a little bit flirtatious. I must say when I first watched Crocodile Dundee I never thought the rest of the world would appreciate the not-so-subtle Australian sense of humour, but Paul Hogan well defined us in this brilliant yarn.
The Castle
Nominated by Archbishop Anthony Fisher. Seconded by Liberal leadership team Mark Speakman and Natalie Ward. When I asked His Grace about this choice he referred to his love of “Australian idealism” and Nats said she just loved the thought of sending everything “straight to the pool room”. I must say that I am a bit concerned that these three qualified lawyers all endorsed an Australian legal tale which suggests that our entire Constitution is underpinned by something as fickle as “the vibe”.
Kenny
Nominated by Sports Minister Steve Kamper. Kamper and me have both nominated the story of a suburban dad who, like us, just wants his family to be happy and has dedicated his life to saving the world from blocked dunnies. Is that too much to ask?
The Club
Every NRL Chairman. Yup, I gave up trying to count how many of Peter V’Landys mob cited this David Williamson classic as their go to movie. Jack Thompson and Graham Kennedy play out the politics of sport so well that this 1980 movie has been known to trigger many a sports administrator even to this day. Bonus points for bringing us the classic anthem “Up There Cazaly.”
Sunday Too Far Away
Nominated by Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. Another one with the legendary Jack Thompson and suitably endorsed by a politician who has plenty of knowledge of the challenges facing the bush. This Australian drama doesn’t celebrate our national character the way the other nominations do but is certainly essential viewing for movie lovers, and any city slicker wanting to get an understanding of farm life.
Chopper
Nominated by Justin Hemmes. Now, I don’t know about you but there is something deliciously Australian about the fact our most celebrated hospitality guru loves a movie about a bloke who puts humans through a shredder while casually observing “one day you’ll thank your Uncle Chop Chop for this”. I doubt the security guards at Ivy will get any lip again after this confession is circulated amongst Sydney’s clubbers.
So if anyone tries to tell you that last weekend’s announcement to invest in the local film industry isn’t worthwhile, “tell ‘em they’re dreaming”.
Originally published as David Elliott: Sydney’s whos who vote for their favourite Aussie film of all time
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